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

Gekijô-ban poketto monsutâ - Myûtsû no gyakushû (original title)
Scientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous.

Writers:

Satoshi Tajiri (creator), Takeshi Shudo | 4 more credits »
3 wins & 6 nominations. See more awards »

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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 / Tentacruel / 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 Michael Haigney ... Psyduck / Venusaur / Nidoqueen / Blastoise / Dewgong / Venusaurtwo / Blastoisetwo / Raticate / Spearow / Charmandertwo (voice)
Kayzie Rogers ... Vaporeon / Vileplume / Ninetales (voice)
Rodger Parsons ... Narrator (voice) (as Ken Gates)
Hirotaka Suzuoki ... Sakaki (voice)
Lee Quick ... Officer Jenny (voice)
Ayako Shiraishi Ayako Shiraishi ... Joi (voice)
Chinami Nishimura Chinami Nishimura ... Junsar (voice)
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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. Written by bob the moo

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Witness the rarest pokémon of all in their first movie! See more »


Certificate:

G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

As Meowth gets sucked into a tube, James says "Who's that Pokémon?", a reference to the commercial-break game of the same name on the TV show. See more »

Goofs

During the scene with Team Rocket disguised as vikings, Ash mentions Minnesota as part of a joke, which doesn't exist in the Pokemon universe. See more »

Quotes

Misty: [after Pikachu defeats three Pokemon with a lightning attack] Well, that sure was a shocking ending.
Brock: Shocking that Ash moved so fast!
James: [Team Rocket are watching the gang from a clifftop, with binoculars] There's another credit on Pikachu's 'charge account!'
Jesse: We've got to grab it!
Meowth: I know we gotta grab some rare Pokémon for the Boss... but it wouldn't be such a bad idea if we grabbed a litte bite to eat.
Jesse: We didn't come here to steal a meal!
James: I'd settle for a taste of that Pika-chow.
Meowth: I'm starving.
Jesse: I can cook ...
[...]
See more »

Crazy Credits

After the credits, we see Mew fly away into the sky. See more »

Alternate Versions

The 2016 Viz Media DVD and Blu-ray releases omit the Kids' WB, Nintendo, and 4Kids logos (as well as the closing Warner Bros. logo) and all of the opening credits (save for the title slide). See more »

Connections

Referenced in James & Mike Mondays: Super Smash Bros. Melee (2013) See more »

Soundtracks

Kaze to Issho Ni
Written by Toda Shuogo
Performed by Sachiko Kobayashi
See more »

User Reviews

 
the Japanese version is better, but the translation is decent
24 August 2009 | by ManWithGoodTasteSee all my reviews

Okay, first, if you will find this movie not making any sense, please note that it is an "English adaptation", not a direct translation. This version is edited and has a changed story, which many viewers found stupid (the reason for low ratings). The Japanese version was called "too scary and not suitable for children", so, 4Kids Entertainment overwrote practically everything, and deleted no less than 10 minutes of the opening sequence. Don't want to spoil anything, but you actually must watch the original opening to understand the story. An even better option is to view the whole Japanese version with subtitles.

There is ONE good thing about the English adaptation. The original orchestral music that was made by Ralph Schtukett is marvelous. I'm not sure, but the theatrical or the DVD version has some low quality pop songs added to mar an otherwise perfect score.

Even with the story changes and the inclusion of stupid songs (in theatrical or DVD version, not sure), this movie deserves a 7 out of 10. The animation is wonderful, on par with the best things in anime genre. And the original score is great.


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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

10 November 1999 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back See more »

Filming Locations:

Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,036,678, 14 November 1999

Gross USA:

$85,744,662

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$163,644,662
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (Extended Cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »

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