Pokemon: The Movie 2000 (G, 2000)

In POKEMON THE MOVIE 2000, a bad guy plans capture the birds that control elements of nature in order to disrupt the "harmony of fire, ice, and lightning." Then, he'll unleash the monster currents of the ocean, and capture the ultimate treasure, Lugia, for his collection. Meanwhile, champion Pokemon trainer Ash and his friends arrive on an island for the annual re-enactment of an ancient legend. The girl selected to be the star of the re-enactment thinks it is all a little silly. But then she realizes that it is more than a legend, and that by paying careful attention to the words and music, she will have the key to restoring the balance of nature, protecting Lugia, and preventing catastrophic weather conditions that could wipe out all living things. According to the legend, "the world will turn to Ash" if the harmony of nature is disturbed. And Ash needs help from everyone, even the usually dastardly Team Rocket, to save the day.

This installment of the series is better than the first one. There are a few moments of interesting animation and what passes for a plot is a bit more coherent than it was in the first one. As in the first movie, there is also a short film at the beginning, "Pokemon's Rescue Adventure," featuring the Pokemons on a human-free, and almost dialogue-free frolic. Pokemon fans will enjoy the line-up of favorite characters, and may even learn something about loyalty and teamwork.

The characters undergo some transformation or make use of a secret to attain power, a theme that's endlessly interesting to kids who can feel overwhelmed by a world built on a scale that is often too large for them. Kids, especially those ages 6-10, also love to memorize and sort endless facts. It gives them a sense of mastery, especially because they can do so much better than adults. And it becomes an important part of their social development, creating a shared language with their friends. This can be particularly meaningful for kids who are insecure about talking to other children. Excruciating as it can be for parents to endure, it may be worthwhile for kids to see the movie.

Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Michael Haigney
Cast: Eric Stuart, Rachael Lillis, Veronica Taylor
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: July 21, 2000
DVD release: November 14, 2000
MPAA Rating: G