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 in the summer of 2000, riding the peak wave of Pokémania in the West. As the second theatrical entry in the franchise, it cemented the series' crossover from television phenomenon to bona fide box office event, drawing families and young collectors alike. Its release marked a high point for animation licensing and merchandising tie-ins, making surviving film cells from this era prized artifacts of a cultural moment that shaped a generation's introduction to Pokémon on the big screen.
This cell brings together the series' central cast: Ash Ketchum and Pikachu, the enduring heart of the franchise, alongside Team Rocket's Jessie, James, and Meowth, the comic antagonists whose schemes provide contrast and levity throughout the story. Grouped together, these characters represent the essential dynamic of the Pokémon narrative, hero and rival forces sharing the frame. For collectors, a cell uniting both sides of that dynamic holds particular appeal, capturing the ensemble chemistry that made the film, and the series, resonate so widely with audiences.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm 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 visible torn or deformed holes
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible below the picture area on the lower edge, alongside what appears to be Dolby Digital data blocks visible in the inter-perforation gaps on the lower edge
Base shows a light cyan-blue tint consistent with dyed safety stock; dye image appears saturated with no visible fading or red shift
Projection history
No visible scratches, splice marks, or cue marks seen in this capture
Picture
Positive colour 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 cyan-tinted safety base, Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks, variable-area optical track, and stock code consistent with Kodak Vision-era stock aligns with a year-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
