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 Entertainment as the second theatrical entry in the franchise, following the massive success of the original Pokémon: The First Movie. Released at the height of Pokémania, it carried the series further into mainstream American theaters, pairing the anime's television cast with a bigger, mythology-driven story centered on the Legendary Birds and the balance of nature. For a generation of young viewers, it was an event picture, cementing Pokémon's place in theatrical history during a brief but intense window of pop culture dominance.
This cell marks the arrival sequence on Shamouti Island, bringing together Ash Ketchum, Misty, Tracey Sketchit, and Pikachu with the island figures Melody and Maren. Melody's presence is notable to collectors since she is unique to this film and tied closely to the Shamouti festival plot. The gathering of the traveling trio with local characters signals the start of the film's central island arc, a quieter narrative beat before the larger Legendary Bird conflict unfolds. As an arrival moment, it functions much like an establishing scene in a trailer or credits sequence, setting the stage for the story to come.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm Kodak 2383 release print of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Gauge
35mm layout with four perforations per frame along both edges; the strip holds three frames, with a fourth partly cut off at the right end.
Perforations
Four per frame on both the top and bottom edges, evenly spaced and cleanly punched with rounded-rectangle holes and no visible tears.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track runs as dark and white lines beside the picture, with Dolby Digital data blocks visible in the gaps between the lower-edge perforations.
Edge print
"KODAK 2383" is printed along the top edge, followed by a number and a small purple square marker; it reads reversed on this capture.
Base & colour
Clear base with a light blue edge tint and a neutral to slightly warm dye image; no fading or red shift is seen.
Projection history
No scratches, splices or cue marks are seen at this size; the one dark ring on the third frame is a camera reflection and is ignored.
Picture
Positive image; the three frames run consecutively as one near-static shot, and the animated look is consistent with Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Era check
Kodak 2383 print stock with an optical track and Dolby Digital blocks fits a 35mm release print from around 2000.
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 000071331
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
