Pokémon the Movie 2000

Lawrence III, a Pokémon collector, strives to make a legendary prophecy occur. His plan to capture the legendary birds, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, will ultimately lead to the capture of the "Beast of the Sea" Lugia. Lawrence sets out in his flying hovercraft to the heart of the Orange Islands to capture the three legendary birds, referred to as the Titans of Fire, Ice, and Lightning. He successfully captures Moltres, but this upsets the balance of power the birds have over the world's climate. Weather across the world begins to go haywire, alerting countless Pokémon to the change. Meanwhile, Ash Ketchum and his companions, Misty and Tracey Sketchit, get caught in a freak storm, and are washed ashore on Shamouti, set in the center of the Orange Islands. Learning that the island festival celebrating the legend is about to begin, Ash is selected as the festival's "Chosen One" and kissed by a girl named Melody, the festival maiden.

At the festival's banquet, Melody explains to Ash he must retrieve three crystal balls from each of the legendary birds' islands and take them to Shamouti's shrine, guarded by a talking Slowking, where Melody will end his task by playing the festival's song, actually the song of Lugia. Ash immediately sets out, led by the troubled Pikachu. Taken to Fire Island by sea captain Maren, Ash and Pikachu find Moltres' treasure, but are interrupted by Team Rocket. Misty, Tracey, and Melody arrive via Melody's multi-purpose boat, followed by Zapdos who has come to claim the island; Pikachu and Zapdos communicate with each other with electric shocks, with Meowth serving as the translator. Lawrence appears overhead, attacking and capturing Zapdos as well as Ash and Co. accidentally. Meanwhile, Professor Samuel Oak, Professor Felina Ivy, and Ash's mother Delia Ketchum fly to the islands, but their helicopter crashes on Shamouti. Having no use for them, Lawrence frees Ash and the others and attempts to capture Articuno, accidentally awakening Lugia in the process. Trying to foil Lawrence's plans, Ash and the others free Moltres and Zapdos, who escape and bring down Lawrence's hovercraft.

Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres engage in all-out war, trying to destroy each other. Ash and Co. manage to escape, gaining Zapdos' treasure in the process, and are transported back to Shamouti by a mysterious water spout revealed to be Lugia. Lugia at first tries to stop the battle, but is outmatched by the birds' powers combined against it. It then telepathically explains the birds and the weather can be stopped by the legend's Chosen One, actually Ash in reality. Ash puts the two treasures he has on the shrine, and then heads off to Ice Island to retrieve the final treasure. To make it through the legendary birds' battle, Ash is assisted by Team Rocket, courtesy of a speedboat made from a dingy and the helicopter's discarded propeller, wishing to save the world to continue their villainy. The group race up to Articuno's shrine and retrieve the treasure, but before they can escape, the legendary birds appear and destroy the speedboat, just as Articuno is defeated. Lugia rescues Ash, Pikachu, and Team Rocket, but Team Rocket heroically jump into the sea upon realizing they are slowing Lugia down. Lawrence tries to catch Lugia, but Lugia uses its Aeroblast attack to destroy his airship and take out Moltres and Zapdos, before collapsing into the sea.

Misty and Tracey rescue Ash and Pikachu, who venture to Shamouti Island's shrine and place the final treasure with the others. Melody plays Lugia's song on her Ocarina, ending the storms and bringing peace to the legendary birds. Lugia rises from the sea, bringing the true Beast of the Sea with him, an underwater current that has been altering the climate. Later, after the birds return to their islands, Lugia departs after thanking Ash. Delia and the professors arrive, and having witnessed her son's actions, Delia asks him to be more careful, which he complies with. Elsewhere, Lawrence laments his decisions, deciding to start his collection again.

Team Rocket reaches the island a day later and is told by Slowking that the audience saw their heroics; the trio begin debating over whether they should change their ways or stay the same.

{{Main|List of Pokémon anime characters{{!}}List of Pokémon anime characters}}

The Power of One was released in Japan on July 17, 1999.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=407}}

On March 2, 2000, Warner Bros. Pictures announced they had acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film outside Asia from 4Kids Entertainment, following the success the two companies had with Pokémon: The First Movie.{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2000 |title=Ash, Pikachu and the Entire Pokemon Universe Return for a Spectacular, All-new Adventure in Kids WB! Presents Pokemon the Movie 2000, Opening July 21 |url=http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/000302/ca_warner__1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000616202014/http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/000302/ca_warner__1.html |archive-date=June 16, 2000 |access-date=June 8, 2019 |website=Business Wire |publisher=Berkshire Hathaway |via=Yahoo.com}} The film was released under the Kids' WB label on July 21, 2000 in the United States, with a July 15, 2000 premiere at Mann’s Village Theatre.{{Cite web |title=Pokemon The Movie 2000 Premiere |date=July 15, 2000 |url=https://ca.movies.yahoo.com/photos/pokemon-the-movie-2000-premiere-slideshow-1800421128.html |website=Yahoo |publisher=Yahoo Movies |access-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413032014/https://ca.movies.yahoo.com/photos/pokemon-the-movie-2000-premiere-slideshow-1800421128.html |url-status=live }}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=407}}

Pokémon The Movie 2000 was released on VHS and DVD on November 14, 2000.{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2000 |title=Pokemon: The Movie 2000 |url=https://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-Movie-2000-Veronica-Taylor/dp/B00003CXLM/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= |website=Amazon}}{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2000 |title=Billboard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NBAEAAAAMBAJ&q=pokemon+the+movie+2000+vhs&pg=PA83}}

As of 2015, the film is the 88th highest-grossing film in Japan, with ¥6.4 billion.{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2015 |title=歴代興収ベスト100 |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209113906/http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |archive-date=February 9, 2015 |access-date=January 8, 2015 |website=KogyoTsushin.com |publisher=Kogyo Tsushinsha |language=ja}} The film made $133,949,270 worldwide at the end of its box office run.

The film was financially successful in the United States. It earned $9,250,000 on opening day,{{Cite web |title=Pokemon: The Movie 2000 Box Office Mojo Daily |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl443254273/ |access-date=May 30, 2012 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=September 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916123117/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pokemon2.htm |url-status=live }} which was only less than $1 million behind the opening day of its predecessor.{{Cite web |title=Pokemon: The First Movie Box Office Mojo Daily |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl426477057/ |access-date=May 30, 2012 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707082232/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pokemon1.htm |url-status=live }} It reached third place for its opening weekend, grossing $19,575,608. On its second weekend it declined 68.3% to $6.2 million and descended to sixth place.{{Cite web |title=Pokemon: The Movie 2000 Box Office Mojo Weekend |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl443254273/weekend/ |access-date=May 30, 2012 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719003429/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl443254273/weekend/ |url-status=live }} It made $43,758,684 at the U.S. box office, barely over half of the first film's U.S. total.{{Cite web |title=Pokemon: The First Movie Box Office Mojo |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=pokemon1.htm |access-date=May 30, 2012 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=May 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524011156/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=pokemon1.htm |url-status=live }}

On Rotten Tomatoes, the North American adaptation of the film has an approval rating of 20% based on 69 reviews, with the website's critical consensus reading: "Despite being somewhat more exciting than the previous film, this kiddy flick still lacks any real adventure or excitement. What it does contain is choppy animation and poor voice acting. Doesn't match up to virtually anything out there."{{Cite web |title=Pokémon the Movie 2000 Reviews |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pokemon_the_movie_2000/ |access-date=May 29, 2025 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Flixster |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421230243/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pokemon_the_movie_2000 |url-status=live }} On Metacritic the film has a weighted average score of 28 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".{{Cite web |title=Pokemon: The Movie 2000 reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/pokemon-the-movie-2000 |access-date=January 22, 2016 |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=July 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713152511/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/pokemon-the-movie-2000 |url-status=live }} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.{{Cite web |title=Find CinemaScore |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date=December 20, 2018 |access-date=November 13, 2018 |website=CinemaScore}}

Plugged In said that "the plot is as tiresome as it was in the first movie. But the violence is tamed somewhat, so the positive messages shine a bit more brightly".{{Cite web |title=Pokémon the Movie 2000 {{!}} Plugged In Online Video Reviews |url=http://www.pluggedin.com/videos/2000/Q3/PokmonTheMovie2000.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403062831/http://www.pluggedin.com/videos/2000/q3/pokmonthemovie2000.aspx |archive-date=April 3, 2011}}

A more positive review was given by Gene Seymour of the Los Angeles Times. Seymour believed that the film "charms without talking down to its audience". He also compared it favorably to the first movie, stating, "...unlike its predecessor, 'Pokémon 2000' doesn't assume that everyone who sees it will know how to tell Togepi from Bulbasaur or Squirtle from Pikachu. Sure, I know now, but I'm not telling because I don't have to".{{Cite news |last=Seymour |first=Gene |date=July 21, 2000 |title=As Pokemon Mania Wanes, Charming Movie Sequel Arrives |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jul-21-ca-56538-story.html |access-date=July 17, 2020 |archive-date=July 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717233139/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jul-21-ca-56538-story.html |url-status=live }}

At the 2000 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards, the film was nominated for "Worst Achievement in Animation" and "The Remake or Sequel Nobody Was Clamoring For". However, it lost "Worst Achievement in Animation" to Digimon: The Movie.{{Cite news |title=2000 23rd Hastings Bad Cinema Society Stinkers Awards |work=Stinkers Bad Movie Awards |publisher=Los Angeles Times |url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/2000/2000st.htm |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017165428/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/2000/2000st.htm |archive-date=October 17, 2006}}

In Japan, J-pop artist Namie Amuro sang the ending song "toi et moi".{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} A soundtrack containing Shinji Miyazaki's original score for the film was released on September 9, 1999 along with two original songs sung by Rica Matsumoto and Akiko Hiramatsu.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Pokémon 2000: The Power Of One (Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture)

| type = Soundtrack

| artist = Various artists

| cover = File:Pokémon The Movie 2000 Soundtrack Album Cover.jpg

| alt =

| released = July 18, 2000

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Pop

| length =

| label = Atlantic

| producer = Various

| prev_title = Pokémon: The First Movie Original Motion Picture Score

| prev_year = 2000

| next_title = Pokémon the Movie 2000 Original Motion Picture Score

| next_year = 2000

}}

The North American soundtrack was released alongside the film in 2000 by WB's then-sister company Atlantic Records on compact disc and compact cassette and includes many songs by popular artists, many of which do not appear in the film. In the English dub, Donna Summer sings the closing song in the film, "The Power of One". The melody of has been noted as having a close resemblance to Rick Wakeman's theme for the film The Burning, with the two opening bars being identical.{{Cite web |date=February 4, 2018 |title=Pokemon Stole Music from a Slasher Movie |url=https://screenhub.blog/2018/02/04/pokemon-stole-music-from-a-slasher-movie/ |access-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222123538/https://screenhub.blog/2018/02/04/pokemon-stole-music-from-a-slasher-movie/ |url-status=live }} The song was released as a single and was remixed by Jonathan Peters and Tommy Musto. The song drew new attention in 2011 due to Republican candidate Herman Cain quoting the lyrics as part of his campaign for President of the United States.{{Cite news |last=David A. Graham |date=December 3, 2011 |title=Cain Quotes 'Pokémon' Movie in Final Speech |work=thedailybeast.com |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/12/03/cain-quotes-pok-mon-movie-in-final-speech.html |access-date=December 9, 2011 |archive-date=December 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209063602/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/12/03/cain-quotes-pok-mon-movie-in-final-speech.html |url-status=live }}

"Weird Al" Yankovic provided an original song, "Polkamon", which is played during the ending credits. The last song played during the credits was "Flying Without Wings" by Westlife. Italian singer Laura Pausini sings the ballad "The Extra Mile", written, among others, by Australian singer Tina Arena. The B-52's also recorded the song "The Chosen One" for the movie.[{{AllMusic|class=song|id=t3751685|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic Guide Entry for "The Chosen One"]

In the United States, the soundtrack had sold 150,000 copies by April 2001.{{Cite magazine |last=McCormick |first=Moira |date=April 21, 2001 |title=Pokemon Enjoys Lavish Campaign from Koch Kids |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nRQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA63 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |volume=113 |issue=16 |page=63 |issn=0006-2510}}

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Performed by

| title1 = The Power of One

| note1 =

| writer1 = Mark Chait, John Loeffler, Ralph Schuckett, Mervyn Warren

| extra1 = Donna Summer

| length1 = 3:49

| title2 = Dreams

| writer2 = LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Lee Jerkins, Rodney Jerkins, Mischke, Robert Smith

| extra2 = Alysha

| length2 = 4:04

| title3 = They Don't Understand (Pokemon Version){{efn|The song was later reworked for their self-titled debut album entitled, "Dream Street" which was released on July 10, 2001 and was simply called "They Don't Understand" with lyrical changes.{{cite web |title=Dream Street by Dream Street |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/dream-street/1299922313 |website=Apple Music |accessdate=June 12, 2020 |location=United States |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721204645/https://music.apple.com/us/album/dream-street/1299922313 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=They Don't Understand (Pokemon Version) - Single |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/they-dont-understand-pokemon-version-single/1575571949 |website=music.apple.com |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317190655/https://music.apple.com/us/album/they-dont-understand-pokemon-version-single/1575571949 |url-status=live }}|group=lower-alpha}}

| writer3 = Cole Diamond, Steve Diamond, Robbie Nevil, Rex Rideout

| extra3 = Dream Street

| length3 = 2:58

| title4 = Wonderland

| writer4 = Matt Rowe, Pamela Sheyne

| extra4 = Angela Vía

| length4 = 3:52

| title5 = With All Your Heart

| writer5 = Kasia Livingston, Phil Sillas

| extra5 = Plus One

| length5 = 3:40

| title6 = The Extra Mile

| writer6 = Tina Arena, Andrew Frampton, Pamela Sheyne

| extra6 = Laura Pausini

| length6 = 4:05

| title7 = Flying Without Wings

| writer7 = Wayne Hector, Steve Mac

| extra7 = Westlife

| length7 = 3:35

| title8 = Pokémon World (Movie Version)

| writer8 = John Loeffler, John Siegler

| extra8 = Youngstown featuring Nobody's Angel

| length8 = 3:48

| title9 = Blah, Blah, Blah

| writer9 = Jörgen Elofsson, Steve Mac

| extra9 = Devotion 2 Music

| length9 = 2:34

| title10 = Polkamon

| writer10 = "Weird Al" Yankovic

| extra10 = "Weird Al" Yankovic

| length10 = 2:03

| title11 = The Chosen One

| writer11 = Norman J. Grossfeld, Michael Haigney, John Loeffler, John Petersen

| extra11 = The B-52's

| length11 = 3:24

| title12 = One Heart

| writer12 = Wayne Hector, Steve Mac

| extra12 = O-Town

| length12 = 3:59

| title13 = One

| writer13 = Matt Rowe, Pamela Sheyne

| extra13 = Denisse Lara

| length13 = 4:13

| title14 = Comin' to the Rescue

| writer14 = Louis Cortelezzi, Norman J. Grossfeld, John Loeffler, John Siegler

| extra14 = O-Town

| length14 = 1:45

| title15 = Pikachu's Rescue Adventure: Dance of the Bellossom

| writer15 = John Lissauer, John Loeffler

| extra15 = Various

| length15 = 1:05

| title16 = The Power of One: The Legend Comes to Life

| writer16 = John Loeffler, Ralph Schuckett

| extra16 = Various

| length16 = 4:16

}}

Pokémon the Movie 2000 Original Motion Picture Score is the orchestral soundtrack to the movie. The CD was originally released in some European countries in 2000. In 2004, it became available for download worldwide on iTunes.{{Infobox album

| name = Pokémon the Movie 2000 Original Motion Picture Score

| type = Film score

| artist = Ralph Schuckett

| cover =

| alt =

| released = July 18, 2000

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Orchestral

| length =

| label = Koch Records

| producer = Ralph Schuckett

| prev_title = Pokémon the Movie 2000 Soundtrack

| prev_year = 2000

| next_title = Totally Pokémon

| next_year = 2001

}}

{{Track listing

| all_music = Ralph Schuckett

| title1 = Harmony Disturbed

| title2 = The Beast of the Sea Stirs

| title3 = To the Rescue

| title4 = Breakout Mayhem

| title5 = If Only They Could Help

| title6 = The World Turns to Ash

| title7 = To the Third Treasure

| title8 = Return to the Shrine

| title9 = The Guardian's Song

| title10 = Goodbye Lugia

| title11 = The Adventure Begins

| title12 = Windy

| title13 = Teamwork

| title14 = Pokémon World

}}

• List of Pokémon films
• List of films based on video games

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite book |last=Galbraith IV |first=Stuart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7o8pq6G_dYC |title=The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography |publisher=Scarecrow Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-1461673743 |access-date=October 29, 2013}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Portal|Anime and manga|Film|Video games}}

• {{IMDb title|0210234}}
• {{Anime News Network|anime|830}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes|pokemon_the_movie_2000|Pokémon the Movie 2000}}

{{Pokémon Generation 1|state=expanded}}

{{Pokémon movie summary}}

{{OLM films}}

{{Warner Bros. theatrical animated features}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pokemon: The Movie 2000}}

Movie 2000

Category:Warner Bros. animated films

Category:Warner Bros. films

Category:1999 films

Category:1990s Japanese-language films

Category:1999 anime films

Category:1999 children's films

Category:Animated films based on animated series

Category:1999 science fiction films

Category:Japanese science fiction action films

Category:Japanese sequel films

Category:Films directed by Kunihiko Yuyama

Category:Science fantasy films

Category:Toho animated films

Category:Toho films

Category:Films set on fictional islands

Category:Japanese animated fantasy films

Category:Japanese fantasy adventure films

Category:Films scored by Shinji Miyazaki

Category:OLM, Inc. animated films