Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998)

Scientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous.

Directors:

Kunihiko Yuyama, Michael Haigney

Writers:

Satoshi Tajiri (creator), Takeshi Shudo

Stars:

Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis, Eric Stuart

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Veronica Taylor	...	Ash Ketchum / Female Scientist / Computer / Fuji's Wife (voice)
Jay Goede	...	Mewtwo / Dr. Fuji (voice) (as Philip Bartlett)
Rachael Lillis	...	Misty / Jessie / Wigglytuff (voice)
Eric Stuart	...	Brock / James / Squirtle / Weezing / Scyther / Hitmonlee / Magneton / Male Scientist / Squirtletwo (voice)
Madeleine Blaustein	...	Raymond / Meowth / Alakazam (voice) (as Addie Blaustein)
Ikue Ôtani	...	Pikachu (voice) (as Ikue Otani)
Ted Lewis	...	Giovanni / Corey / Male Scientist (voice) (as Ed Paul)
James Carter Cathcart	...	Fergus (voice) (as Jimmy Zoppi)
Michael Haigney	...	Psyduck / Venusaur / Nidoqueen / Blastoise / Dewgong / Venusaurtwo / Blastoisetwo / Raticate / Spearow / Charmandertwo (voice)
Kayzie Rogers	...	Miranda / Vaporeon / Vileplume / Ninetales (voice)
Rodger Parsons	...	Narrator (voice) (as Ken Gates)
Hirotaka Suzuoki	...	Sakaki (voice)
Lee Quick	...	Officer Jenny (voice)
Ayako Shiraishi	...	Joi (voice)
Chinami Nishimura	...	Junsar (voice)

Storyline

When a group of scientists are offered funding into genetic research if they agree to try and clone the greatest ever Pokémon, Mew, the end result is success and Mewtwo is born. However Mewtwo is bitter about his purpose in life and kills his masters. In order to become the greatest he throws open a challenge to the world to battle him and his Pokémon. Ash and his friends are one of the few groups of trainers who pass the first test and prepare for battle. However they soon find out about further cloning and Mewtwo's ultimate plan for the earth.

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Plot Keywords:

clone | pokemon | scientist | battle | cloning | 

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Taglines:

You have been summoned to the ultimate Pokemon showdown!

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Sport

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Kids' WB Official site

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

10 November 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back

Filming Locations:

Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,036,678, 14 November 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$85,744,662, 27 February 2000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$163,644,662

Company Credits

Production Co:

Oriental Light and Magic (OLM),Shogakukan Production,Tomy

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 85 min (Extended Cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Mewtwo is shown defeating Arcanine and Nidoking, we see a shot from behind and we see the back of the trainer. In the commentary it is told that this trainer is Gary, Ash's rival from the series. They then go on to joke about his 'cameo', saying that Gary's agent wouldn't let them show his face, and that Gary is actually a stand-in in that shot.

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Goofs

When Ash receives the letter from Dragonite, we hear Togepi say "Togepi?" but its mouth doesn't move.

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Quotes

Mewtwo: Those voices... they're outside... where I must be.

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Crazy Credits

As the ending credits roll, we see clips of Ash, Brock and Misty continuing on their journey, in different places and times. In order they show: them walking down the coast as the waves lap beside the credits. Them walking through a grassy field. Them by a waterfall, with Misty sitting down with a fishing rod. Them all standing in a field watching a herd of Taurus grazing in the distance. Them all sitting in a cave, while the sky is filled with black clouds and it is raining. Them walking through a forest full of enormous trees. A panning shot of all three of them sleeping in sleeping bags out in the woods. All three of the gang walking up a desert highway. The gang sitting on top of a high mountain with a campfire, watching the sun set. The three heading toward a forest, with a huge rainbow in the foreground. And the final shot of the three is of them walking towards the camera, through a poppy field.

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Alternate Versions

When shown theatrically and on the original DVD release, Mewtwo's voice while thinking was projected through the center dialogue channel, but when speaking to others psychically, it was projected at a larger volume through all the speakers to overwhelm the audience. The VHS, 2016 DVD rerelease and Blu-ray use a separate mix that does not have this effect on it.

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Connections

Followed by Pokémon Heroes (2002)

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Soundtracks

Natsu Yasumi Fan Club
Performed by Pokemon Kids

User Reviews

Prepare for trouble

Okay now, be honest. How many of you who rated this movie a '1' actually saw it? Probably none. Pokemon rule; yes, I will admit to being another 20 year old who enjoys pokemon; I went to see it with my 18 year old brother, too. It might be a little sappy with its message, but it's a lot of fun to watch, anyway. The best part of the movie is the final showdown between Mew and Mewtwo; not because of the battle, but because of the conversation: Mewtwo- "Why do you run? Are you afraid to learn who is supreme?!" Mew- "Mew"

If you've rated this movie a one just because you think it's dumb or a bad influence on kids, I've got three words for you.

"Get over yourself"