Pokémon: The Movie 2000 (1999)

Here's a truly delightful film. The animation is great, the characters are developed a bit beyond their cartoon personas, and the story fits the spirit of the show one-hundred percent.

The short "Pikachu's Rescue Adventure", despite a very small amount of lower-quality animation, at times showed the true potential of what an animated short can be! The musical number involving a large group of Pokémon was visually stunning, but would have left a greater impression if the original music from the Japanese version of the film had been left in place, as the tune inserted was average, if not boring. It still couldn't ruin the scene altogether, however.

The movie itself was filled with animation which shouldn't let down fans of anime. Many point to Pokémon as an example of choppy, low quality animation, but I cannot see where these comments come from. The animation in this movie is smooth and colorful, and at times, there's so much happening on-screen that you could miss a funny incident happening aside from the main theme of a scene.

The characters go through several experiences which could lead to them being redefined a bit in the TV series. Team Rocket has a larger role in this film than in Pokémon: The First Movie, which I'm sure will delight many Team Rocket fans. The major villain in this film, by not being incredibly evil but by being so single-mindedly greedy, wanting one thing without any concern for the consequences, his character shows that good and bad isn't always so clear cut. The characters, despite their simple appearances, are quite complex when you take a closer look.

The soundtrack to the movie may not seem so remarkable, but the Weird Al Yankovic song "Polkamon" is refreshing and the instrumental score stands out as above-average.

The film stands as an entertaining addition to the Pokémon universe. It dares to be original, and though many people automatically detest it because it's popular, it stands to help popularize Japanese animation in the U.S. so that it and movies like it won't simply be pushed aside as "kid stuff".

Fmovies: This is a rehash of my comments on Gekijô-ban poketto monsutaa: Maboroshi no pokemon: Rugia bakutan. I think they are more appropriate here.

Many of those who claim to hate this movie openly admit to hating Pokemon to begin with. As I had said in my comments on "Pokemon The First Movie," you have to go in to the movie with an open mind. If you go see "Pokemon 2000" because you were "dragged in" by your kids/nieces/nephews/others, you've already decided that you're going to hate it. I'm not saying that you WILL hate it; just that you've DECIDED that you're going to hate it no matter what, just because it's Pokemon. Current Pokemon fans (like me, and I'm over 30!) or more open-minded moviegoers will probably like "Pokemon 2000."

I was glad that Kids WB decided to go with a more "theatrical" score for "Pokemon 2000." Although I would have preferred that more of the Japanese music would have been left in, I think that the orchestral music was more fitting than the bubblegum pop that permeated "Pokemon The Movie."

Like most people, I liked "Pokemon 2000" more than "Pokemon The First Movie," probably because of the overall brighter feel. I personally loved the first U.S. appearance of one of my favorite new Pokemon, the flowery Bellossom. There are points of the movie that I felt could have been expanded on, but overall, "Pokemon 2000" is a fun ride.

Pokemon 2000 is the second installment in the Pokemon film series, and is very probably the best. The writing, storyline, and animation are all markedly improved from The First Movie, and it really does feel like a cinematic experience. The only thing wrong with it at all is that the Pikachu short film seemed like an excuse to show off some new Pokemon, without having much of a real reason (it's still good, though). Now, if you haven't read countless summaries already, here's the plot in a nutshell...

Wiiiieeeerd stuff is happening all over the world. Climates and temperatures are changing at an alarmingly rapid pace, sometimes going from summer heat to snow in under a minute! The cause of this is a Pokemon collector who is trying to capture the four elemental Pokemon: Zapdos, Articuno, Motres, and ultimately Lugia. His wicked misdeeds are causing nature to go completely out of whack, and it's up to Ash, Misty, Tracey, and Pikachu to find the Elephant In The Room and set things right again.

Even from a summary, it's apparent that Pokemon 2000 is more than an extended episode of the show. In fact, even without the short, it's still easily feature length, and that's more than can be said for The First Movie (which had a runtime of 74 minutes). It may not be an edge-of-your-seat, unpredictable story in the vein of Inception, but it's a satisfying and entertaining one. This is helped along by the dialogue, which is some of the sharpest I've yet seen in Pokemon. There are many memorable bits in here, not few of which involve Team Rocket.

In conclusion, I recommend watching it, even if you're not a die-hard fan of the series. Unless Pokemon Heroes knocks my socks off, I think it's safe to say that 2000 is the best of the bunch. (Oh, and before I finish this review, I want to whine about something. Once again, there is either no widescreen version available on video, or it's very hard to find. Boo, Warner Bros, BOO.)

Pokémon: The Movie 2000 fmovies. This Pokemon Movie is an extremely great movie. It was humorous, educational, and enriching. This was an extremely well-balanced movie. I laughed out loud at some parts and I shed tears at others. Another added bonus was a free Lugia Pokemon Card with every ticket. I don't understand why people wouldn't like this movie. It has a very clear plot, superb voicing, and tons of action. Any person, Pokemon fan, anime fan, or neither will enjoy this movie to the fullest. Parents, if you're thinking this is just stupid, mind-numbing violence, think again. This movie demonstrates friendship and teamwork and how working together with anyone can save the world. This is clearly the best of the Pokemon films.

For some, the Pokemon franchise is an immense joke. The movies, the show, the cards and games are just complete tripe. For others, it's a religion. While I lean towards neither one, I have indeed liked all the main films (Pokemon 1-4) and find them all very enjoyable kids films. This one surpasses the other three by a milestone, however. Not only is this movie a good Pokemon movie or a nice kids film, it's just a very great and fun film over all, in my sincerest opinion.

First of all, the story is quite honestly beautiful to boot. I know that might not bide with some, but truly, the whole idea of the legendary Pokemons Articuno, Moltres, Zapdos and Lugia creating a mass destruction that of course our one and only "chosen one" Ash can stop and how all the characters interact with the story is amazing. There are eye-catching action scenes as well as gorgeous animation settings, the best being the scenes near the climax at the three legendary bird islands and the ocean waters that Lugia resides in. It's all very breathtaking, regardless of whether you like the movie or not.

While all these films are extremely childish in terms of dialogue, what more could you expect? It does the job it's supposed to and does it well. Even the villain is sinister enough to get by and makes you feel empathy for the Pokemon he sets out to conquer. The score of Lugia's song is also a very soothing and wonderful score that overpowers even the whole film; simply beautiful. In any matter, the movie entertains. I like all of the settings mostly; The islands are all unique in their own way and stand out. The villain's blimp is elegant, and the new characters in this film besides the main Ash, Brock and Misty are all very fun; the most fun of all supporting characters in the movies.

Basically, if you liked the first, the rest contain exactly all the other attributes except they all vary in terms of professional tact. Like I have stated, this one takes all the characteristics of the Pokemon series to the highest they can go, and I am not ashamed to admit how much I enjoy this film, and have watched it more than once willingly. This movie shows what faith and determination can accomplish; all the films do, and I am proud to own this on old-timey cassette, and won't stutter to say I put it in, lay back, and let myself go from time to time.

Many of those who claim to hate this movie openly admit to hating Pokemon to begin with. As I had said in my comments on "Pokemon The First Movie," you have to go in to the movie with an open mind. If you go see "Pokemon 2000" because you were "dragged in" by your kids/nieces/nephews/others, you've already decided that you're going to hate it. I'm not saying that you WILL hate it; just that you've DECIDED that you're going to hate it no matter what, just because it's Pokemon. Current Pokemon fans (like me, and I'm 30!) or more open-minded moviegoers will probably like "Pokemon 2000."

I was glad that Kids WB decided to go with a more "theatrical" score for "Pokemon 2000." Although I would have preferred that more of the Japanese music would have been left in, I think that the orchestral music was more fitting than the bubblegum pop that permeated "Pokemon The Movie."

Like most people, I liked "Pokemon 2000" more than "Pokemon The First Movie," probably because of the overall brighter feel. I personally loved the first U.S. appearance of one of my favorite new Pokemon, the flowery Bellossom. There are points of the movie that I felt could have been expanded on, but overall, "Pokemon 2000" is a fun ride.