Pokémon: The Movie 2000 (1999)

Ash Ketchum must gather the three spheres of fire, ice and lightning in order to restore balance to the Orange Islands.

Directors:

Michael Haigney, Kunihiko Yuyama

Writers:

Satoshi Tajiri (original concept), Takeshi Shudo (screenplay)

Stars:

Veronica Taylor, Rica Matsumoto, Madeleine Blaustein

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rica Matsumoto	...	Satoshi (voice)
Madeleine Blaustein	...	Meowth (voice) (as Addie Blaustein)
Mayumi Izuka	...	Kasumi (voice) (as Mayumi Iizuka)
Tomokazu Seki	...	Kenji (voice)
Megumi Hayashibara	...	Musashi (voice)
Ikue Ôtani	...	Pikachu (voice)
Amy Birnbaum	...	Melody (voice)
Shin'ichirô Miki	...	Kojiro / Lizardon (voice)
Inuko Inuyama	...	Nyarth (voice)
Satomi Kôrogi	...	Togepi (voice)
Tara Sands	...	Maren / Bulbasaur (voice) (as Tara Jayne)
Unshô Ishizuka	...	Dr. Okido (voice)
Stuart Zagnit	...	Prof. Samuel Oak (voice) (as Stan Hart)
Neil Stewart	...	The Collector (voice)
Kôichi Yamadera	...	Rugia (voice)

Storyline

An evil genius in a flying fortress is trying to kidnap the birds of the fire, ice, and lightning islands in hopes of luring the sea power, Lugia, and controlling the world. Ash and his friends, in the process of carrying out an island tradition that requires visiting those three islands, discover the plot and try to stop it. Even the comic villains, Team Rocket, turn good and help out in the end against the threat of world destruction. And Pokemon assemble from all around the world in case they can be of help (but they end up helping only the merchandising).

---

Plot Keywords:

pokemon | lightning | ice | fire | island | 

---

Taglines:

This summer, one person can make all the difference.

---

Genres:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

---

Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

21 July 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pokemon: Power of One

Filming Locations:

Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,575,608, 23 July 2000, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$43,758,684

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$133,949,270

Company Credits

Production Co:

4 Kids Entertainment,4 Kids Entertainment,GAME FREAK

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first dub version of this movie was released theatrically in 2000 and on VHS and DVD later the same year.

---

Goofs

Near the end of the film before Melody plays Lugia's song, the song starts playing before she puts the shell/flute in her mouth.

---

Quotes

Lugia: I have failed.

---

Crazy Credits

Team Rocket emerge from the water partly into the credits, upset that no one will know of their good-doings, but Slowking appears and shows that the film's audience has just seen them do good.

---

Alternate Versions

The US release had a 3 second scene cut. During the scene when Ash (Satoshi in the Japanese Version) and Team Rocket (Rocket Gang) were trying to free Moltres (Fire) and Zapados (Thunder), Tracy is doing a quick equition, thinking outloud about what happens when you mix fire water and electricity, and the fact it will cause a huge explosion. This scene is cut from the English dub of the film.

---

Connections

Followed by Pokémon the Movie: White - Victini and Zekrom (2011)

---

Soundtracks

Pokemon World
Performed by Nobody's Angel / Youngstown

User Reviews

The best of the Pokemon movies; fans will love it, others should give it a try

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.