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33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Pikas for An Improvement Over the First Movie!!!!!, November 15, 2000
Pokémon 2000 The Movie: The Power of OneThis movie starts with a little short called "Pikachu's Rescue Adventure." Unlike the short which accompanied Pokémon The First Movie, Pikachu's Rescue Adventure contains substance as well as cuteness. It focuses, as the name suggests, on Pikachu's adventure rescuing--Togepi! The short treats the viewer to Pikachu's intelligence, bravery, and of course, cuteness. Like the first short, it goes out of its way to show a wide variety of Pokémon, including four new ones, which I understand are named Hoothoot, Ladyba, Bellossom and Elekid. Elekid, a new electric Pokémon, plays a major role after becoming friends with Pikachu through an exchange of electricity. (Hoothoot and Bellossom now have played important roles in episodes of Pokémon: The Johto Journeys on television as well.) You'll even finally get to see a Snorlax do something other than eat and sleep! The Power of One itself seems substantially less dark than its precursor, yet manages to outdo the First Movie's tale of MewTwo versus Mew. The Power of One Introduces us to a new Pokémon, a powerful Guardian of the Water named Lugia which is nearly as large as the three legendary birds--Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno--combined. It's also nearly as powerful as the three combined. I say "nearly" because, according to an ancient prophecy, without the help of the Chosen One all of its efforts to stop the three from fighting will come to nothing, "making the world turn to ash." And who should be the Chosen One? Well, as Misty realizes, the prophecy DOES say that the world will "turn to Ash." As an added little bonus, the movie finally provides first names for Professors Oak and Ivy, and for Mrs. Ketchum, Ash's mom. It also gives two uproarious, albeit non-speaking cameo appearances by the original companion of Ash and Misty--Brock the Rock. Fans of Brock, myself included, may find his limited role disappointing. Fans of Tracey, Brock's replacement, may also be disappointed at his limited role in The Power of One. Moltres fans might be disappointed that he isn't a good-guy like he was in his one appearance in the TV series, and at the way he's been drawn for the movie. Misty fans, however, will revel in her pivotal role. Team Rocket fans, perpetually hoping to find their heroes playing a role other than that of the inept butt of jokes, will find their hopes finally realized. Team Rocket too plays a pivotal role in The Power of One, believe it or not, deliberately and through the creativity of Jesse, James and Meowth! Ah Team Rocket, we always knew your tendency to "think outside the box" would pay off one day. In addition to Lugia and Team Rocket's effectiveness, the movie offers something else new: a new Pokémon called Slowking. Slowking, the final evolved form of Slowpoke and Slowbro, resembles a Slowbro, but with the spiral Shellder on its head rather than on its tail. Best of all, the Slowking can speak. When you hear what he has to say, you'll be glad he can. Lugia's no slouch at communication either--like MewTwo, he just psychically speaks in Ash's head. Neat, huh? The Power of One offers an amazing spectacle of color and animation. The movie produces vibrant images, color and sound. I found the music good too, although I must warn you that as with the first movie, most of the songs on the soundtrack appear only over the closing credits and have little to do with the movie itself. At least more of the songs from the this soundtrack seem at least generally related to Pokémon. You will definitely want to watch the closing credits, however, both to hear "Weird" Al Yankovic's "Polkamon" song and to see the second, hysterically-funny, cameo appearance by Brock. If you like Pokémon you will like this movie; your little Pokémaniac (either the one you tuck into bed at night or the one hiding inside you) will love it.
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