Pokémon: The Movie 2000

11:50 AM: Leave house to catch 12:30 show.
12:10 PM: Arrive at theater, where the line extends about thirty feet (totally unlike TFM). Once person actually brought their game boy with.
12:30 PM: Come up to to ticket office, get tickets for 1:00 show (which isn't so bad, since that theater has digital sound). Receive two Ancient Mew cards (did I mention I brought my Mom?).
12:35 PM: Buy soda.
12:40-1:00 PM Talk to kid (who can't possibly be 13) before movie.
1:00 PM: Trailers begin. I didn't understand the Digimon trailer (after all, I don't watch the show), and during the Rugrats in Paris trailer, the film became misaligned (just like last time), which lasted into Pokémon, requiring several people (myself included) to yell at the projectionist. At least it only happened once this time (actually, this correction warranted applause from the crowd).
1:05 PM: Movie starts, with less pronounced blurriness than TFM (although CGI scenes are still visibly clearer).
1:45 PM: I begin to wonder if The Power of One isn't just a cookie-cutter plotline of MSB.
2:35 PM: I notice my soda straw is almost completely chewed up.
2:50 PM: Movie ends. Wow!

The Movie: In a way, this movie is the complete opposite of TFM. In TFM, the first 40 or so minutes (up to the Mewtwo Strikes Back logo) were good, and everything thereafter stinks. In PM2K, the first 40 or so minutes are terrible (or at least mediocre), what with the audience pointing out each time a new Pokémon shows up. This spills into the first part of The Power of One, where for a while it seems that Pokémon movies may become cookie-cutter, much like 80's TV episodes (the A-Team, Inspector Gadget and The Super Mario Bros. Super Show are prime examples). After that period, though, the difference is clear. Let's take a look at the score card:

What got fixed:

1. The Humor: In TFM, there were virtually no jokes. In PM2K, the laughs abound. It's like day and night. Team Rocket puts together a fine performance, and the film really defines their characters to the point where they're practically the stars. Lots of Ash/Misty arguments too.

2. Picture Quality: The regular scenes seem a little better, and there's lots more CGI. Sometimes the CGI doesn't mix very well with the regular characters (such as the crashing of the ship), but it usually works. The CGI also really speeds up the pace (those who suffer from motion sickness, be warned).

What didn't:

1. The Music: Once again, the theme song curse strikes (though the CD version actually sounds pretty good). Also, no game music (come on, give people something they remember). Arg. On the bright side, less pop music was actually in the movie, and "Weird" Al's Polkamon was a welcome addition.

What got worse:

1. The Mini-movie: Pikachu's Rescue Adventure is a sensory overload in every way. It actually kinda reminds me of a Wario Land III level (though not nearly as good). Anyway, the plot is much harder to follow than Pikachu's Vacation, and considerably stranger. At least there aren't any scene change things.

My score: 3.1

The Final Say: This movie is way better than TFM, which was too serious, and is a good deal. If I didn't know better, I'd say I wrote it (feel free to ask me why), though I still could have made a superior movie.