Pokémon: The Movie 2000 arrived in theaters in July of that year, riding the peak of Pokémania as Warner Bros. distributed the second theatrical feature from Nintendo and 4Kids' juggernaut franchise. Following on the heels of the first film's surprise success, this sequel, centered on the Legendary Birds and the balance of the elements, was heavily promoted through trailers that circulated in advance of release, building anticipation among a fanbase still near its commercial high point. The movie remains a marker of that early era when Pokémon dominated American pop culture and merchandising alike.
This cell comes from the promotional trailer reel rather than the feature itself, a strip meant to tease audiences with glimpses of the story to come. The named moment, Zapdos's Lightning Strike, points to one of the film's Legendary Birds asserting itself, a scene collectors prize for its early billing of the creature central to the plot. Ash Ketchum and Pikachu anchor the franchise's heroic side, while Jessie and James represent Team Rocket's familiar presence. Together they place this piece at the heart of the film's marketing push.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release trailer print of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Gauge
35mm: four perforations per frame along both edges, and the strip holds three frames, each a near-identical consecutive view.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, rounded-rectangle holes, evenly spaced and cleanly punched, with no torn or missing perforations seen.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track of two tracks sits beside the picture, with a stereo-style pair of white waveforms; no Dolby Digital blocks, DTS timecode or SDDS tracks seen.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Clear base with a light blue-cyan tint at the edges; the dye image reads saturated, with no obvious fading or red shift.
Projection history
None seen at this size; the frames and track look clean, with no visible scratches, cue marks or splices.
Picture
Positive image; the three frames run consecutively as one shot with only slight movement, and the animated style fits the film on record, though no title card is shown.
Era check
The optical track, four-perf 35mm layout and positive animated image are consistent with a 2000-era release trailer print, though no stock markings confirm the date.
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 in partnership with National Film Vault, 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.
CROWN SERIAL 000071245
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
