Pokémon the Movie 2000, also known as The Power of One, is the second cinematic installment in the Pokémon franchise. It takes the beloved characters on a grand new adventure that delves into ancient prophecies, legendary Pokémon, and the delicate balance of the natural world. The film is a thrilling and visually stunning spectacle that expands the scope of the Pokémon universe beyond the familiar battles and training journeys of the television series.
The story centers on a strange and alarming phenomenon gripping the planet. The three legendary bird Pokémon—Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, who are said to control the elements of ice, lightning, and fire—are inexplicably fighting one another. This conflict has thrown the global climate into chaos, with extreme weather patterns disrupting life everywhere. Ash Ketchum (voiced by Veronica Taylor), along with his friends Misty (voiced by Rachael Lillis), Tracey Sketchit (voiced by Eric Stuart), and of course, his faithful partner Pikachu (voiced by Ikue Ôtani), find themselves caught in the middle of this escalating crisis while on a journey through the Orange Islands.
They are swept ashore on Shamouti Island, a place steeped in ancient legend. The islanders, who are preparing for their annual festival, believe that Ash is a chosen one destined to fulfill a prophecy. This prophecy foretells that if a conflict between the three legendary birds should ever arise, a hero must gather three treasures from their respective islands and unite them at a shrine on Shamouti Island. Only then can the "great guardian of the sea" awaken and restore harmony to the world.
Unbeknownst to the islanders and our heroes, this global cataclysm has a cause: a ruthless and eccentric Pokémon collector named Lawrence III. In his flying fortress, Lawrence III plans to capture the legendary birds one by one in order to force the emergence of Lugia, the mythical guardian of the seas, and add it to his collection. He sees Pokémon not as living beings, but as rare treasures to be possessed. His obsession sets in motion the very events that Ash and his friends must now try to stop.
The film masterfully balances intense action sequences with moments of character development and heartwarming humor. The legendary Pokémon battles are epic in scale, showcasing incredible power and animosity. The escalating environmental disaster adds a sense of urgency and high stakes to the adventure. Meanwhile, the film also features the comic relief of Team Rocket (Jessie voiced by Rachael Lillis, James voiced by Eric Stuart, and Meowth voiced by Meowth), whose typical schemes are put on hold as they, too, are forced to confront the potential end of the world.
Pokémon the Movie 2000 is an epic adventure about one boy's courage and his connection to the natural world. It beautifully illustrates the theme that the harmony of the world relies on the respect and understanding between humans and Pokémon. It’s a story that highlights the importance of teamwork and friendship, not just among the human characters, but also between different Pokémon. The film's message is a powerful one: the power of one individual, when guided by the right heart, can make all the difference in saving the world.
Pokémon the Movie 2000 is a 2000 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 28.
