Crown Grading

FILM NOTES

Warner Bros. distributed Pokemon: The First Movie in North America in November 1999, bringing Satoshi Tajiri's phenomenon from television and trading cards to the theatrical screen. Produced by OLM for Nintendo and Game Freak, the film drew record opening-weekend audiences and introduced a generation to feature-length anime storytelling. Its themes of identity and conflict gave it unexpected emotional weight for a property aimed at children.

This cell, titled Mewtwo by the operator, captures a luminous energy sphere suspended against deep blue — imagery consistent with the film's climactic battle sequence. The frame is oriented inverted on the strip, a common artifact of 35mm printing. Presented in the National Film Vault line by Crown Grading, it offers a direct physical connection to one of animation's most culturally significant theatrical releases.