Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

I went to see this movie after I saw the previews on my Pokemon the first movie dvd. I enjoyed this movie that I went to see it twice. At Christmas time I bought the dvd (only because it was just a dollar more then the VHS), and here is what I think of it.

The mini movie.
In Pikachu Rescue adventure Togepi falls down a hole and it’s up to Pikachu and it’s poke pals to rescue it. Along the way they run into new Pokemon, and friends to. I like this mini movie far better then Pikachus vacation, had a better story line, and best of all no naration. The Pokedex narration in the first movie drove me nuts, mainly because it was just starting to tell us about the hypocritical moral that would be in Mewtwo strikes back.

The movie.
This takes place during the Orange League saga in the series, so it starts with Ash touring with the very center of the Orange Islands and getting stranded on Shemutie Island. The natives are doing there annual legend festival. They tell of an ancient legend of the titans of lighting, fire, and ice fighting, and the world turning to ash. It also talks about a chosen one, which is what the festival is about. Ash is chosen to carry out the part of the chosen one. Ash’s job will be to go to three islands and collect the crystal balls on top of all 3 of them. During this time a mysterious collector is collecting the legendary bird Pokemon, which control the weather. Each one he captures one of the 3 legendary birds the weather gets more out of control. Is plan is to capture Lugia, by capturing all three Lugia can be made to reappear. However when this happens the world will end, in less the chosen one can get all 3 of the crystal balls back to Shemutie island in time.

Animation.
The animation is similar to that of the TV series it’s a lot better then the TV series, it is darker and has more depth. There is also some CGI used in it, the collector ship which is done entirely done by CGI, and it looks great.

Voices
The voices in the movie are the same on the TV series, and I think there are great. While they won’t move you, they are far from being speed racer. Each voice fits the character voices perfectly.

My thoughts on the movie.
This movie is probably the closet movie that fits into the TV series. Most of the other Pokemon movies are a lot darker then the TV series, they are also void of the usual humor that is found on the TV series. This also features team rocket has important characters, in the other 2 there just there, because it would looked weird for them not to be there.

Also unlike Pokemon 1 there is no hypocritical moral shoved down your throat (hey does anybody else besides me want to throw up whenever team rocket swears not to fight anymore)

There are some problems with the movie though, for example a lack of villain. Sure there is the collector but he just appears, starts the problems, and then is not heard from again except at the end of the movie.

There are also a few dialog problems, everybody heard of the mistake of a character knowing Misty’s name without them being introduced (for those of you who don’t it’s on chapter 4 on the dvd).

Also I think the power of one is a lame title, seeing how Ash gets his butt saved by Team Rocket, Misty, Tracy and of course Pokemon.

The dvd.
I bought this on dvd because it was just a buck more then the VHS. I can’t say I like the DVD much compared to the other 2. There are no games PC-DVD ROM games, no commentary. All you get is a bunch of pop stars singing and ruining some Pokemon songs (not that much of them where worth listing to in the first place) the only one worth listing to is dreams. A trailer for Pokemon 2000, and a preview of Pokemon 3 lord of the unknown tower.

At least on the bright side of thing is the video imagine is a lot sharper then that of Pokemon the first move.

My recommendation.
If your a major pokemanaic you probably already have it, if your not then you probably won’t watch it anyway. If your neither and actually want to watch it then you should think of renting it.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up to Age 4