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:

MewTwo vs Mew

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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

Fergus states that all his Pokemon are water types, however he has a Nidoqueen, which is actually Ground and Poison.

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Quotes

Mewtwo: The human sacrificed himself, to save the Pokemon. I pitted them against each other, but not until they set aside their differences did I see the true power they all share deep inside. I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant; it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.
[Japanese version]
Mewtwo: It's true... that you're a Pokémon who exists just like I do. It might be best if no one knew of this incident. It might be best to forget this.

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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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Connections

Followed by Pokémon: The Uncut Story of Mewtwo's Origin (1999)

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Soundtracks

Catch Me If You Can
Written by Angela Via and Brian Steckler (as Brian M. Steckler)
Performed by Angela
Published by Vaporean Music (BMI)
Produced by Brian Steckler and Michael "Smidi" Smith for Hear Inc.
Angela appears courtesy of Lava/Atlantic Records

User Reviews

It's not THAT bad!

I'm a bit shocked at the low ratings of this movie. It's no way near a 1 out of 10. I think its because if you were an adult when you saw this, you would give it a 1 out of 10 straight away. Like when I saw it when I was 8 or 9 years old originally at the cinema, all the kids enjoyed it, including myself, whilst the adults were just snoring away! They didn't even give it a chance! As of writing this review, at the age of 19, the movie is still OK in my opinion. The sequel was better, but I think Mewtwo was pretty cool in it, and its not that long either so don't just completely bash it just because it has the name "Pokemon" on it. Season 1 of Pokemon was awesome, and I wasn't even a huge fan of the anime! Finish it first, and sure there are some plot holes in it, but hey I still think the movie is entertaining. Overall, a 6/10 at best (as a teen/adult), but that means its passable.