Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Much better than the First Movie
Many people criticized "Mewtwo Strikes Back" when the first Pokemon movie was released in the US, because in comparison with the excellent Japanese version it was a mess, missing out important things that explained about the characters (such as The Birth Of Mewtwo), and it had sloppy characterization. However, I'm pleased to say that this film is generally much better than the first Pokemon movie. The plot involves a Pokemon collector called Laurence III who wants to capture the three Legendary birds Articuno. Zapdos and Moltres - or the Gods of Ice, Lightning and Fire as they're called here. Unfortunately, this creates a huge problem with Earth's weather patterns, causing violent storms and snow, and it is left up to Ash to get them back, and return things to normal. There are some little hints to the possibility of an Ash/Misty romance in this film - when Ash arrives on the island at the beginning of the movie, a girl called Melody kisses Ash on the cheek which makes Misty really jealous, as well as some other cute moments. Sadly, in spite of an improved plot I believe that, as before, the choice of music stands out as the film`s downfall and the producers haven`t learnt from the mistakes they made in the first film. Apart from a few exceptions ("The Legend Comes To Life" is a wonderful track), this movie replicates the same pop-styled rubbish used in the First Movie. The remix of the TV theme song ("Pokemon World" performed by Youngstown & Nobody's Angel) is absolutely horrible, with a scratchy beat and synthesized vocals. The campaign to ban vocoders starts here... Next time round, I would like to see a better choice of music which is less pop-orientated, but I`m not holding my breath... Overall though, in spite of the terrible soundtrack, this is a major improvement on the First Movie which I think any Pokemon fan should add to their collection.
Rating:  - Best of the lot!
Although probably not met with as much praise by the critics as with the Pokefans, it was significantly better than the first film, Mewtwo Strikes Back. This may be a biased opinion, however, as Lugia is my favorite Pokemon, but Mewtwo is one of them as well.Anyway, in this film, a Pokemon collector wants to capture the legendary bird Pokemon, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres to flush out the big prize, Lugia. Unfortunetly, this tips the balance of power, and disrupts the weather around the world. Meanwhile, Ash, Misty and Tracey journey to a small island near to the island homes of the legendary birds and keeps up its old traditions with a yearly festival. The young girl who leads the tradition this year is Melody, who chooses Ash as the festival's "Chosen One." He is to travel to the islands to collect three elemental spheres and bring them back to the first island. How this movie is better than the first (and the ones that follow, too, I might add) I will explain in numerous points: First of all, the movie is less dark, and has a bit of a lighter mood. This can be good or bad, depending on how you like your Pokemon movies, but people who watch the anime series tend to like the lighter mood more.
Secondly, this movie explores more the possibility of Pokeshipping, which is the more-than-platonic relationship between Ash and Misty. The movie has many cute moments, like Misty geeting jealous over Melody kissing Ash, and Melody telling Misty how she will marry Ash eventually. There's even a Rocketshippy moment! (Jessie and James)
Third, the score to the movie goes way beyond what is possible in the anime series. I personally love the score, especially "The Legend Comes to Life." Yes, the movie's soundtrack still carries the pop songs, but keep in mind that the English version of Pokemon is geared mostly towards younger children.
Fourth, the movie explores more about how Pokemon interact and influence the enviornment and the people around them. Not like the first movie, which was mostly about how Mewtwo's injust treatment by Team Rocket caused it to "go bad." This movie proved that Pokemon control and keep nature in balance, and carries the underlying message of how destructive human beings can be to the enviornment with selfish ideas.
Fifth, the movie is just more engaging and exciting. The fate of the world rests in Ash's hands (and his competence as a hero). Team Rocket have a bigger and better part in the film, becuase they become temporarly changed and help Ash save the world. The battles between Lugia and the three birds and the Pokemon collector are more exciting. And also, there is more of what I deem as the most important aspect: character development. All of the characters change a bit (with the exception of Tracey), even if it is for just within the time of the movie. All in all, Pokemon 2000 is my favorite of the 4 Pokemon movies, and continues to be a popular film among the Pokemon fans.
Rating: - Disappointed with the 1st one? This is a 100% improvement!
Pokemon: the 1st movie didn't go over too well with critics or viewers(I thought it was pretty good, but it was NOTHING compared to the second one.) Firstly, there are no mistakes in this one. Secondly, it makes a lot more sense-meaning adults will like it-and it's more exciting. Even the mini-movie in the beginning is better. (Pikachu and its pals follow Togepi to a magical garden, and many Pokemon, old and new, work togther during a storm there.) Anyway, the plot for this movie is very imaginative: In an attempt to capture all 3 legendary birds for his collection, this crazy collector guy starts a huge weather problem that will soon destroy the world(because the birds control the weather)if Ash doesn't bring together the three treasures from each island-Articuno's, Zapdos's, and Moltres's. Once he does that, Lugia is summoned from the ocean, and he puts an end to the problem. It's all very fast-paced and fun, and I just can't wait to watch it again(and again and again...) Ash, Misty, and Tracy are all in it, and if you look closely at one part you can see Brock running around with kids in the back of a TV screen. But that's it for him, and even though I hate him anyway, sorry to Brock fans! Still, Poke-people will ADORE this movie. Especially if you happen to agree with me that Team Rocket is the best part of everything Pokemon. They are very important to this move, seeing as how Ash NEEDS them to save the world(watch it, you'll find out how!) At one point they actually agree to give their lives to "potect the world from devestation", and I was fretting for the rest of the film until I found out they were OK! But this is a very funny, very, VERY worthwhile movie for Pokemon fans, so don't be turned away from it because the first wasn't as hot. They've done better!
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