Ever since Pokémon's anime began, fans could not get enough of the adventures of Ash and friends. Season after season and film after film, the truly devoted Pokébuffs would be there to watch the adventures unfold. Much of the reason behind this was the original voice cast and the studio behind it. 4Kids Entertainment may not have been the most prestigious of children's programming but they did assist in bringing anime to the west. However to many followers' shock, the company wouldn't renew their representation agreement thus handing over the brand to new management beginning 2006. With that came one the most notable changes; different voice actors. To this day, several people remain unhappy with the abrupt turn and have not followed the franchise since. That doesn't mean the franchise itself stopped though because a new film came out anyway.

The story, as expected continues the journey of Ash and friends. This time, they're crossing paths with two parties - the Marina group who are descendants of a tribe called the People of the Water and Phantom the Pirate. What Phantom is after is a Pokémon egg from Manaphy, a rare Pokémon that is known as the prince of the sea. It is this Pokémon that could lead Phantom to his greatest plunder. Despite the US production changing hands, the Japan side hasn't. The Yuyama and Sonoda duo haven't gone anywhere and maintain their regular positions. Doing the English adaptation this time was Armen Mazlumian as director and James Carter Cathcart for the screenplay. Both also perform as voice actors. For plot, there's an attempt to make it stand out but it does walk on very familiar ground.

The execution of the story feels very much like Pokémon: Jirachi - Wish Maker (2003) with some minor changes in perspective. Instead of Max becoming the main focus where he develops a bond with Jirachi, it's May who becomes attached to Manaphy. While changing the attention to another character is something that should be done, having it feel like the same scenario from another movie doesn't exactly make it feel all that new. May's relationship with Manaphy is touching, but enough to say its unique enough. Additionally, Phantom as the villain isn't all that fleshed out. He's certain not the poor quality that was Lawrence III, but he's not better by a huge margin either. Phantom is a pirate...okay so his motivation is just to be king of the sea? It's pretty generic since that could've been the motivation without knowing the whole Manaphy egg subplot.

Regardless of that, the biggest hurdle fans have to overcome is the difference in voice cast. Which in all honesty is acceptable. Upon initially hearing the change it is jarring because it sounds like the actors are trying to play as the original cast. To some extent it can be understood why but it makes it all the more apparent. Nonetheless, over time the voices sound more natural. Sarah Natochenny replacing Veronica Taylor as Ash Ketchum takes some getting used to but it's best to keep in mind she was given the role at age 19. Also replacing Veronica Taylor and Rachael Lillis is Michele Knotz as May and Jessie. Knotz actually does a decent job taking on these characters almost sounding exactly the same. Kayzie Rogers as Max is okay but the actors who stand out the most is James Carter Cathcart as James and Bill Rogers as Brock. All the acting is fine but it's just the sound that needs getting used to.

Visually speaking, the look of the film continues to maintain its standard. Cinematography again was handled by Takaya Mizutani however that was done. The animation itself though is on prior entries as well, perhaps improving its CGI renders slightly, but not by much. And as expected, like Mizutani and the other Japanese members listed before Shinji Miyazaki returns again for composing music for this entry. This time, Miyazaki gives his score some Caribbean flavor by adding steel drums to his orchestra. Of course that is when the scene calls for it. And not like it needs to be said either but no domestic album release for this score as well. Guess there really just aren't enough Pokébuffs out there who demand the scores to these films. Oh well.

Devotees of the earlier seasons may struggle to get over the change in voice cast more than the actual story itself. It's not vastly different from other entries but can entertain its fan base. The new voice cast gives a good first effort, the music still is nice and the animation keeps consistency.

Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2006) certainly has improved in various areas compared to the previous ones. Throwing a personal Pokémon Movie Marathon does makes it easier to tell the differences between Pokémon films and while it is arguably the worst of worst Pokémon films, I beg to differ; it is not the worst there is although I would agree that it isn't a flawless animated feature!

Why? First of all, Pokémon stories usually set on the land or the sky if not alternate dimension. This one is under the sea! There are a lot of endearing water Pokémon which is amazing to watch and there is a brief spectacular Underwater Pokémon Show by Marina Group too! Then, this one has improved introduction which makes it less difficult keep up with the ever growing Pokémon franchise. The creators of these films are more careful now, they did not specify the total number of Pokémon any more.

What's more interesting are the new characters introduced, namely the Pokémon Ranger who utilises Capture Stylers instead of Pokéballs to command Pokémon and the story of the People of the Water, the descendants of an ancient water-based civilisation. Manaphy, the featured legendary Pokémon, who is related, is interesting and adorable too. It is quite heartwarming to watch it hatch from egg, bond with May and to be independent in such a short time. Although it is kind of sad that Kyogre and the Temple of the Sea are not much highlighted here, seriously, how can these not make it great adventure family film?

Okay, this is just a shorter version of my review so in short, the ending of Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2006) is indeed unfortunately ridiculous but it is certainly not the worst because it actually has one of the best backstory, maybe just poorly executed. Honestly, it is actually a pretty sweet, familial film!

After a spectacular high with the previous movie, "Lucario and the Mystery of Mew," can the Pokémon crew pull off another one? Sadly, the newest effort, "Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea," falls far short of the high marks set by its predecessor as well as the sixth movie, "Jirachi Wish Maker"---a relationship I will elaborate on further in a moment.

During the introduction to the story, we see a luminous egg float through the sea before being seized by a technologically-advanced pirate captain, Phantom. We are then introduced to the Pokémon Ranger of the title, Jack "Jackie" Walker, who has disguised himself as a member of Phantom's crew. Jackie seizes the egg from Phantom and escapes from the pirate captain's submersible headquarters.

Meanwhile, the main cast of heroes are wandering through a desert wasteland, and when they run out of water, conveniently run into a traveling troupe of "water show" performers. At a local performance, the egg makes a reappearance, being tended to by an oddly familiar clown soon revealed to be Jackie, the Ranger. It is revealed that the egg contains a legendary Pokémon called Manaphy, and Jackie's mission is to safely hatch it and deliver it to a place called Samaya, the Sea Temple built by the ancestors of the performing troupe. He does not wish to allow Ash's group to be involved, but an attack by Phantom during their trip gets them into it irreversibly---especially after Manaphy hatches in May's arms and promptly begins to think she is its mother! Much of the immediate plot following this details the development of a bond between May and Manaphy, and the establishment that Phantom's goal is to capture the great treasure hidden inside Samaya, the Sea Crown. The plot drags for quite some time before we finally arrive at Samaya, where Phantom suddenly reappears and finds the Sea Crown---a pedestal filled with crystals. As he begins to remove them, the temple begins to sink, however Jackie manages to replace all but one before the flooding carries him, Phantom and the last crystal away.

All the characters except Ash and May escape the temple before it totally sinks. They go back in with Manaphy and find the last crystal, but before they can replace it, Ash is forced to seal May, Pikachu and Manaphy inside a capsule Phantom left behind while he braves the nearly-flooded temple to replace the last crystal. He drowns in the Sea Crown chamber, but Manaphy's special powers allow May's prayer for his safety to revive him and give him the strength to place the crystal in the pedestal. When he does so, a green light appears and a tentacle of this light carries May's capsule to safety.

With the Crown repaired, all the water drains out of Samaya and the temple surfaces---however, May believes Ash died, and Phantom suddenly makes a last-ditch effort to capture Manaphy, since it can lead him back to Samaya at any time. The secret of the light is revealed---inside the tentacle is none other than Ash, granted superpowers by completing the Sea Crown. He outmaneuvers Phantom and rescues Manaphy, only for Phantom to attack with his submarine and its sonic blast weapons. A special song Manaphy sings protects all the wild water Pokémon from Phantom's attack, and then it uses them to destroy Phantom's sub. He is finally defeated by the legendary Kyogre and captured by the police as May bids farewell to Manaphy (which leaves her by speaking, in English, "Love you, mama! Love you....May") and Jackie radios his base with the news of his mission's success.

During the credits, we see Phantom and his crew in prison, Jackie speaking to an Officer Jenny, and Jackie capturing a Zapdos with his Capture Styler (a tool used by Pokémon Rangers) So, what is good about this movie? Unfortunately, not much. It is terribly unoriginal for one, sharing many plot details with "Jirachi Wish Maker." Phantom is an amusing villain who engages in a bit of slapstick comedy, but he has absolutely no backstory. Also, the token Ash death with him drowning in the temple feels rather tired this time around. Drowning is a common "death" that has been used many times in the TV series and movies.

On the plus side, Manaphy is adorable, and May waited a long time to get spotlighted (while Max, a more minor character, was highlighted three years earlier in the sixth movie) Overall, though, this one's disappointing. Movie 10, "Dialga vs. Palkia vs. Darkrai," looks to be much better than this. We shall see early next year if that holds true.