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Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One

Play trailer Poster for Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One G 1999 1h 21m Kids & Family Adventure Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
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19% Tomatometer 67 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Ash's adventure begins when a powerful storm beaches him and his friends on Shamouti Island just as the islanders are preparing to cast the hero role in their annual festival. They offer it to Ash. It sounds like fun, so he accepts. The festival enacts an ancient legend about three great and powerful Pokémon birds, Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno, who maintain nature's balance on the earth by ruling the elements of fire, lightning and ice.

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Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One

Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One

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Critics Consensus

Despite being somewhat more exciting than the previous film, this kiddy flick still lacks any real adventure or excitement. What is does contain is choppy animation and poor voice acting. Doesn't match up to virtually anything out there.

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Critics Reviews

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Gene Seymour Los Angeles Times Jan 22, 2019
This freshly baked and frosted big-screen "Pokemon" goes down with a sweetness that charms without talking down to its audience. Go to Full Review Mike Emery Austin Chronicle Jan 22, 2019
Although the animation is crisp, the story is too apocalyptic to appreciate. Go to Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 27, 2010
2/5
Better than the first, but that's not saying much. Go to Full Review Mat Brunet AniMat's Review (YouTube) Mar 6, 2025
6/10
It may not be the kind of explosive movie as its Japanese title suggests or be able to impress people as a film on its own, but as a Pokémon fan, Lugia’s big-screen debut is a fun blast from the past. Go to Full Review Christy Ellington Christian Science Monitor Jan 22, 2019
3/4
Where other movies seem bound to treat kids like adults, "Pokemon" allows kids to be kids, and just enjoy a wholesome, entertaining, well thought-out animation. Go to Full Review Sebastian Zavala Kahn Más Gamers Oct 6, 2018
2.5/5
The perfect film for fans of the franchise... and no-one else. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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diogo13 T @Tua_mera Jul 11, 2026 Nada de extraordinário, mas pelo menos foi divertido. See more Mickey B. @Mickerdoo May 13, 2026 Was kind of cool to be in the legend with the birds. But although challenging, the battle seemed kind of simplistic. See more Taylor T @RT85283464 May 13, 2026 I’m sad to see so many others displaying such hate on a great film! Still in my opinion one of the best movies they’ve made(one of). It is a slower film compared to others. See more Hector kaue B @Hectro9227 Jan 21, 2026 O filme não é ruim, mostra um pouco mais sobre as três aves lendárias e sobre o Lugia, mas faltou mais ação e aventura See more Milo G @RT36980390 Jan 10, 2026 I won't see it again but it is a good movie See more John K @WQCMI Dec 27, 2025 Really bad. The villain is so one-dimensional and forgettable, I wouldn't be surprised if he was originally written as Giovanni but changed into a generic character at the last minute. Everything about the film feels rushed and feels so fast paced to the point where I need to have a 60-minute PowerPoint presentation to know who's who and what's going on. Also, the twists felt like the writers had no idea what they were talking about. I can understand why people love this, but not me. We do get to see Team Rocket with Ash and the gang to go up against the villain, but Team Rocket felt completely wasted in that idea and did nothing to help them, I know they're normally villains in the show, but this is the cheapest way possible to include them in this capacity. See more Read all reviews
Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Haigney

Director

Kathleen McInerney

Ash Ketchum

Rachael Lillis

Misty

Maddie Blaustein

Meowth

Eric Stuart

James

Michelle Goguen

Carol

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Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One

(Left to right) The legendary and powerful Pokemon Zapdos, Moltres and Articuno. (Left to right) Ash, Melody, Misty, Slowking and Brock face Lugia. Pikachu is flanked. Ash (second from left) and Team Rocket's James, Meowth and Jessie. Pikachu, Ash, Squirtle (lower right) and Balbasaur (upper right). Hoothoot. Pikachu and Ash. Pikachu (center) with Squirtle, Balbasaur, Venonat, Marill and a bevy of Pidgeotto and Ledyba. Three Bellossom. (Left to right) Brock, Misty (holding Togepy), Ash, Pikachu and Slowking. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Ash's adventure begins when a powerful storm beaches him and his friends on Shamouti Island just as the islanders are preparing to cast the hero role in their annual festival. They offer it to Ash. It sounds like fun, so he accepts. The festival enacts an ancient legend about three great and powerful Pokémon birds, Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno, who maintain nature's balance on the earth by ruling the elements of fire, lightning and ice.
Director
Michael Haigney
Producer
Choji Yoshikawa, Ken Sakamoto, Takemoto Mori, Yukako Matsusako
Screenwriter
Norman J. Grossfeld, Michael Haigney
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Pikachu Project '99, Kids WB, Nintendo Co. Ltd., Shogakukan, 4 Kids Entertainment
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Adventure, Anime
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 21, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$43.7M
Runtime
1h 21m
Sound Mix
Surround, DTS, SDDS, Dolby Digital
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