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Remember back in 1999, when the Pokémon phenomenon was at the height of its popularity? It was during that time that the song that played over the end credits of the WB television show promised to eventually introduce "150 or more" species of Pokémon. Actually, if you're over the age of seven, you probably didn't know that, but either way, it seems that the emphasis was most certainly on the "or more" portion of the statement, as we're now up to the fourth movie and the 251st Pokémon, a little creature from the future named Celebi who happens to be a master of time and space.

Beyond that, the formula for a successful episode or 90-minute film based on these creatures isn't exactly rocket science. Ash Ketchum and his friends, Misty and Brock, are always out wandering the countryside, looking for other trainers to challenge and new types of Pokémon to subjugate into slavery and engage in some bizarre ritualistic battles. Ash's adorable little weapon of choice is almost always the electric-powered Pikachu, who clearly thinks he's better than the other Pokémon since he refuses to be carried around in a Pokéball, which is a sort of a weird, portable cage that contains the beasts. At some point during the course of the adventure, Jesse, James and Meowth of Team Rocket commit grand larceny and countless other crimes in their attempt to capture the amazing Pikachu for themselves. Honestly, it's all much better if you're either well into your fourth Crown and Coke or if you have suffered a recent serious head injury. Mixing it up a bit for the fourth installment of the movie series will be new Team Rocket member Vicious and a friendly but mysterious boy from the past…better make that five Crown and Cokes.

Amusingly enough, I haven't even gotten to the weird part yet. The first three Pokémon films were quite profitable for Warner Bros., due to their low acquisition costs. Still, it does appear they've ridden the trend to its very limit, as the third film had final box office of only $17 million, which is why it seems so surprising that there was actually a bidding war for North American distribution rights to the fourth and fifth films. Miramax Films emerged the winner in that Poke-battle, and Harvey Weinstein believes that new life can be breathed into the franchise by using the strong marketing savvy on which the firm has built its reputation.

It would certainly appear to be an uphill climb. 4Kids Entertainment Inc., which handles all merchandising as well as television and film distribution rights for Pokémon outside of Asia, had profits decline 74% in the fourth quarter of 2001, mainly as the result of the slowdown in interest in the cartoon. Additionally, the LA Times reports that in the last week of March 2002, Pokémon finally dropped from Lycos' list of its 50 most frequently-searched sites.

That's not to say there aren't signs of life. Pokémon consistently ranks as a top-rated television program for children aged two to 11, and there is a new 52-episode series set to launch on Kids' WB in the fall of 2002. Additionally, you can look for the debut of the giant, terrifying Pikachu balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade…right at the time the movie is planned for release. Either way, since Miramax reportedly got a bargain for the rights, they're looking to make a tidy little sum off the little beasts, even if the movie only does minimal business. (Kim Hollis/BOP)

Vital statistics for Pokémon 4Ever Director Kunihiko Yuyama, Michael Haigney Screenwriter Norman J. Grossfeld, Michael Haigney, John Touhey Distributor Miramax Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture

Comparison films for Pokémon 4Ever
Title	Date	Opening	Adjusted Opening	Screens	PSA	Adj PSA	Total BO	Adjusted Total	Mult
Pokemon the First Movie	11/12/99	31.03	36.97	2901	10696.00	12212.0	85.74	102.17	2.13
Pokemon:The Second Movie	7/21/00	19.58	21.90	2752	7115.00	7656.2	43.70	48.88	2.23
Return To Neverland	2/15/02	15.62	16.24	2605	5997.00	5997.0	48.41	50.33	3.10
Recess: School's Out	2/16/01	10.07	10.74	2624	3838.00	3939.9	36.70	39.16	3.64
Tigger Movie, The	2/11/00	9.43	10.54	2723	3463.00	3726.4	45.54	50.94	4.83
Pokemon 3	4/6/01	8.24	8.79	2675	3080.00	3161.8	17.05	18.19	2.07
Doug's 1st Movie	3/26/99	4.47	5.32	2268	1971.00	2250.4	19.42	23.14	4.34
Pokemon 4Ever	10/11/02	0.72	0.74	249	2880.00	2880.0	1.73	1.79	2.41