Psy psy psyduck!

   Pokémon 3: The Movie sticks to the same structure as all the other Pokémon features: a short vignette featuring only Pokémon followed by a longer adventure starring Ash. The first segment, "Pichu and Pikachu", concerns Pikachu and two young Pichus and their adventures in the big city.

Lisa

   In the main story, "Spell of the Unown," a Pokémon professor and his wife disappear while investigating the twenty-six alphabet set Unown Pokémon. The couple's daughter, Molly, is left behind and accidentally releases the wish-granting powers of the Unown. The Unown created a guardian Entei for Molly and spirit away Ash's mother. Meanwhile, Ash, Misty, Brock arrive in town, accompanied by Professor Oak and a new trainer named Lisa. Can the heroes unravel the mystery of the tower and save Ash's mother? (Hint: Yes.)

Assorted Pokémon

   Many of the Gold and Silver Pokémon make their first animated appearance in the new movie. Among them are Pichu, Hoppip, Murkow, Houndour, Totodile, Cynadquil, Aipom, Chikorita, and of course Entei and Unown. Also returning is Charizard, who was freed by Ash in the TV series but who makes a special return in Spell of the Unown.

   While the Pokémon name remains strong, Pokémon 3 may not have the smooth ride to box-office success that its predecessors did. Nintendo has not been giving the new film much of a marketing push, and the increasingly formulaic format may not attract as many moviegoers. Still, there's plenty of Pokéfans out there, and for those who can't get enough of Ash and his friends, Pokémon 3: The Movie should prove to be right up their alley.