Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon 4Ever arrived in 2002 as the fourth theatrical entry in the franchise, produced by OLM under Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's supervision and distributed by Warner Bros. in the West. It marked a transitional moment for the series, bridging the original run with the Johto-era games and anime seasons, and it introduced Celebi to a broad audience for the first time. Coming at the tail end of the first wave of Pokémon mania, the film reflects a studio still confident in theatrical output for the property, aimed at a generation raised on the games and cartoon alongside newer viewers drawn in by evolving storylines.
This cell pairs Ash Ketchum with Celebi, the time travel Pokémon whose film debut anchors the plot. Celebi's rarity in the games and its central role here make it a sought-after subject for collectors, while Ash's presence ties the mythical creature to the franchise's human throughline. Together they represent the film's core relationship, the bond between a fabled Pokémon and its human companion that drives the story's emotional stakes and its themes of protection across time.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon 4Ever (2002).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on the top edge; the strip holds one frame.
Perforations
Four perforations visible on the top edge, evenly spaced and cleanly punched; bottom edge perforations are partially visible and appear consistent in spacing.
Soundtrack
A cyan-coloured band runs below the picture area, consistent in appearance with a Dolby Digital or optical soundtrack zone, but fine detail is not resolvable at this size to confirm track type precisely.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
Base appears warm cream-ivory; dye image shows strong, saturated colour with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
No scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; a single frame is visible, and the animated imagery is consistent with the Pokémon 4Ever (2002) theatrical release print.
Era check
The saturated dye image, cream polyester base, and optical/digital soundtrack band are all consistent with a 2002 theatrical release print of this title.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
