The basic plot for Pokemon¹   2000: The Power of One ²   is simple – you shouldn’t tug books from the bottom of the pile to get to the one at the top. Or something like that. It’s all about balance. Don’t pursue blinkered goals at the expense of everything else.

Spoiler Free Overview

A prophecy tells that if the three Legendary Birds are brought together they will unleash a fourth force, but the consequences may be the destruction of life, as we know it. For Lawrence III collecting is a way of life and completing his collections outweighs all else, whatever the cost. For Ash Ketchum, a quest to find three mystical orbs to fulfil a celebratory ritual may have a far greater significance - something that could effect everyone and everything.

This is the second Pokemon movie, following in the wake of the success of the original and three television series. Pitting Ash and his friends against a heartless collector, with Team Rocket taking backstage as comic relief, like the original movie, this is a less satisfying effort that 'Mewtwo Strikes Back'. The animation is effective, combined with some breath-taking computer generated sequences; but the substance of the tale is lacking and may only just be enough to keep it's target audience entertained.

Originally released in Japan early in 2000, America in the Summer 2000, and just in time for Christmas 2000 in the United Kingdom.

The remainder of this entry may be considered a Spoiler. If you haven't seen the film read on only if you don't mind knowing a lot of the details before you see them.

Story Overview

By way of warning, the following section is a lengthy spoiler. If you don’t want to know what happens – even in this rather brief format – then skip on to the next heading.

A Pokemon Collector, Lawrence III ³   , is pursuing the completion of his Pokemon set ⁴   with single-minded determination. Enthroned within his flying fortress, equipped with all manner of hi-tech Pokemon capturing equipment, he is chasing the three legendary birds of ice, fire and lightning – Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos, respectively. His ultimate objective is locked within an ancient prophecy – that the control of the three elements will bring forth a guardian, a fourth legendary bird, Lugia ⁵   .

At the same time Ash, Misty and Tracey ⁶   – travelling amongst the Orange Islands – are shipwrecked following a massive storm – caused by Lawrence III’s capture of the first legendary bird. They discover an island community on the eve of a celebration, seeking a champion who will travel out to three local islands to retrieve three mystical spheres that represent the three legendary birds. Ash sets out to find them and falls foul of the worsening storm. Stranded on another island he finds the SlowKing ⁷   who explains that the balance between the powers of the legendary birds has been upset and that the three mystical spheres are vital in restoring order.

Ash manages to retrieve two spheres, but a battle raging amongst the legendary birds makes it less and less likely that he’ll be able to get the third. Lugia, the guardian, fails to stop the conflict between the birds who turn against him; but then he offers to assist Ash in gathering the final sphere. Jesse, James and Meowth – minions of Team Rocket ⁸ - decide that if the world destroying battle of the legendary birds is allowed to continue they won’t have much to do any more, so they seek to achieve something significant by assisting the good guys instead.

Ash and Team Rocket make it to the final island and retrieve the sphere. Lugia appears again to get Ash back to the island of the SlowKing, but is ambushed by Zapdos and Moltres and sent plunging into the depths. Ash emerges from the foaming waters and staggers the final distance to place the third sphere. Combined with a mystical tune – part of the community celebration and ritual – a power is released that blankets the islands and the sea around them. Peace and harmony is restored to the three legendary birds and Lugia is restored in time to thank Ash for his assistance.

The film closes with Team Rocket wallowing in the glory of their good deeds and wandering whether a career move might be in order.

Sub-Plots

In the shadow of the primary tale are a couple of side plots worth noting. These involve Professor Oak ⁹   and Team Rocket, respectively.

Professor Oak, and Ash's mother, get involved when the foul weather caused by the capture of the legendary birds hits there homes in Pallet Town. Oak is intrigued by a mass exodus of Pokemon towards the scene of the conflict and Ash's mother demands to travel with him to the Orange Island when she realises that Ash might be involved. The helicopter transporting them crashes on the SlowKing's island and they ultimately find Ash at the conclusion of the film.

Team Rocket - in the form of Jesse, James and Meowth - are involved purely because of their ongoing interest to make their name and absolve their past failures with the the leader of the malevolent faction, Giovanni. They are shipwrecked on the same island as Ash and his friends, then follow when the action heads towards the islands of the legendary birds. They realise the dire consequences of the bird's battles and decide to aid Ash in subduing them. Ultimately, they survive to fight another day having shown they are capable of good as well as bad.

The first side story has absolutely no effect on the primary plot, while the second provides comic asides and assistance to the hero in completing his quest. As is so common in the series Team Rocket feature because they always do, rather than because they have to; but, the first plot beats them hands down for pointlessness.

The Power of One

The root problem with the premise of the film is that the story appears to have been built around the exploits of Ash alone. Everything else appears to be throwaway, superfluous to requirements in reaching the conclusion of the story. Even the proposed villain of the piece, Lawrence III, is nothing more than colour and fabulous special effects – in the form of his impressive flying fortress and it’s myriad Pokemon catching toys. The story tries to squeeze itself out into an ensemble piece with subplots and side stories, but in the end it is nothing more than Ash’s quest for the three spheres and his meeting with the guardian, Lugia.

What this leaves for the viewer is a fairly hollow and insubstantial story that fails to provide the same quality of experience as the original Pokemon movie ¹⁰   . The animation is up to the normal high standards – for this kind of ongoing series anyway – and the additional characters provide everything from two-dimensional colour to genuine laughs; but nothing can fill the space around the core plot. Everything seems to be bolted on and pushed in. It sits together well enough, but cannot hide the truth.

Pikachu's Rescue Adventure

Prior to watching the main movie it's possible to see the Japanese Pokemon equivalent of the old cartoon featurette, common until it's demise sometime in the early 1980's. The first movie showcased 'Pikachu's Vacation', and here we have a rescue mission.

The trilling-voiced egg Pokemon Togepi manages to fall down a big hole. Realising their friend is gone Ash's, Misty's and Tracey's Pokemon - including Pikachu, Psyduck, Bulbasaur, and, newcomer, Merrill - head off in hot pursuit. After an 'Alison in Wonderland'-type tunnel drop title sequence the Pokemon discover a lost world where lush jungle is filled with many and varied other Pokemon - including neo-types Bellossom and Elekid.

Togepi is found in the nest of an Exeggcute, but one of the eggs from the nest has been lost and the remainder elements of the Exeggcute Pokemon aren't keen to give Togepi up. So, Pikachu and friends go off to find the missing Pokemon, only to return empty handed. However, a terrible storm brews up that threatens the nests of the Exeggcute and it's only the intervention of Pikachu and company that saves them from destruction. As it happens the missing egg is found and Togepi is returned to his friends. Everybody lives happily ever after and the Pokemon return to their masters.

Like the movie that follows it, this cartoon lacks substance and the story that is in there is hard to follow. It seems to be a showcase for a few new Pokemon - leading unwary children into the marketing/merchandise trap that awaits beyond the doors of the cinema or their home. Brightly animated with some spirit-raising musical efforts, it fails to satisfy and will probably leave smaller children happy, but boggled by what happened.