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 4Kids as the second theatrical entry in the franchise, riding the crest of Pokémania's peak in the West. Following hard on the heels of the original film's surprise box office success, it pushed the animation and stakes further, pairing the Legendary Birds and Lugia with the established cast. For a generation raised on the Saturday morning series and midnight midnight trading card hunts, this movie was an event, a reason to leave the television behind for a theater screen while the phenomenon still had cultural weight.
This cell draws together the core ensemble that defined the show's rhythm: Ash and Pikachu as the constant heroic pairing, with Jessie, James, and Meowth as their comic antagonists. Team Rocket's presence alongside the heroes points to one of those shared-frame moments the series built its identity on, protagonist and adversary occupying the same strip of film. For collectors, this grouping is desirable precisely because it captures the ensemble dynamic rather than isolating a single figure, a compact record of the show's central cast interacting within its second feature outing.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical colour release print of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds four frames.
Perforations
Four perforations per frame on both edges, evenly spaced and appearing cleanly punched with no visible torn or deformed holes.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical soundtrack track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight blue-tinted tint consistent with a colour dye image; colours appear saturated and not visibly faded or red-shifted.
Projection history
Light horizontal scratching is visible in the soundtrack and lower edge area, consistent with a projected print; no splices or cue marks seen.
Picture
Positive colour image; all four frames appear to be the same held or near-identical frame rather than consecutive action, and the animated characters visible are consistent with the Pokémon franchise film on record.
Era check
The variable-area optical soundtrack, colour positive print on a blue-base stock, and perforation layout are all consistent with a theatrical 35mm release print from the late 1990s to early 2000s.
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
