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/4Kids as the franchise's second theatrical feature, following the phenomenon of the first Pokémon film and the show's peak American popularity. Released in the summer of 2000, it expanded the mythology with the legendary bird trio and Lugia, giving Ash a larger, more mythic stage than the series' weekly episodes allowed. For a generation raised on the anime, this movie marked the moment Pokémon fully crossed into blockbuster event territory, cementing characters like Lugia as icons beyond the games and cards.
This cell captures Ash and Pikachu united with Lugia, a pairing that places the franchise's everyday hero and his signature partner alongside one of its most sought after legendary creatures. Lugia's design and rarity make it a favorite among collectors who prize crossover moments between the human cast and the mythic Pokémon world. A 35mm cell like this preserves a physical frame from actual theatrical print stock, a tangible artifact of animation history rather than a reproduction, appealing to those who value owning a piece of the film's original release.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm Dolby Digital theatrical release print of Pokémon: The Movie 2000
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds four frames
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, cleanly punched with no torn or deformed holes visible
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single bilateral variable-area track; Dolby Digital pixel blocks are visible in the inter-perforation gaps on the same edge
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text
Base & colour
Base appears with a neutral-to-cool tint; dye image shows saturated blues and purples consistent with an intact color print with no visible fading or red shift
Projection history
Several fine longitudinal lines are visible running the length of the strip, consistent with projection wear; no splices or cue marks are visible
Picture
Positive color image; all four frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, consistent with an animated theatrical release print matching Pokémon: The Movie 2000
Era check
The combination of a variable-area optical track with Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print from the late 1990s to early 2000s, matching the 2000 release date on record
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
