Pokemon 2000 Power of One

While the inclusion of novelty songster Weird Al Yankovic (here with "Polkamon") and new-waver all-stars the B-52's (here with the playful "The Chosen One") sharpens the proceedings with their individual visions, most of the performers here have been coached by producer David Foster or other music industry veterans. Most successful is former disco diva Donna Summer, who emerges with the dramatic tune "The Power of One," which sneakily includes the Pokémon theme featured throughout the film. Twelve-year-old Alysha may be a burgeoning teen star with her surprisingly mature interpretation of "Dreams." The emphasis is on the current teen-pop trend. Dream Street, Christian boy band Plus One, and O-Town (the band documented in ABC's TV series Making the Band) all serve up the prescribed recipe for success: swooning harmonies, Hallmark-card lyrics, and near-operatic melodies designed for radio. You expected a movie starring Pokémon to miss a trend? C'mon. --Rob O'Connor