Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: The Movie 2000 arrived from Warner Bros. and Nintendo at the height of Pokémania, the second theatrical feature built to keep the franchise's crossover audience buzzing between seasons of the television series. Adapted from the Japanese original and reworked for Western release, it paired the pull of Pikachu and friends with a new legendary creature mythology, expanding the Pokémon world beyond its television roots and cementing the property as a genuine box office draw rather than a passing fad.
This cell bears the simple designation Lugia, the guardian legendary at the center of the film's plot and one of the earliest such creatures to headline a Pokémon movie. Lugia's design and role made it an instant favorite among collectors, predating the flood of legendaries that followed in later generations. A cell named plainly for the character, without further scene description, likely comes from animation tied to Lugia's presence in the story rather than a specific action beat, making it a straightforward character piece prized for representing the film's signature creature on its own terms.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour release print of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds one frame.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges look clean.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible below the picture area, appearing as a dual bilateral variable-area pattern, with what appears to be a Dolby Digital data-block strip in the inter-perforation zone on the lower edge.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight cool-blue tint; the dye image shows deep blue and violet tones consistent with a colour release print.
Projection history
Several fine white linear scratches run vertically through the picture area, consistent with projection wear.
Picture
Positive colour image; a single frame is visible and the vivid animated colour palette is consistent with a theatrical release print of an animated feature from the film on record.
Era check
The combination of dual bilateral variable-area optical track, apparent Dolby Digital data blocks, and colour positive print on safety base is consistent with a 1999–2000 theatrical release print.
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
