Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back
Scientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous.Scientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous.Scientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 6 nominations
- Ash Ketchum
- (English version)
- (voice)
- …
- Misty
- (English version)
- (voice)
- …
- Brock
- (English version)
- (voice)
- …
- Satoshi
- (voice)
- Pikachu
- (voice)
- (as Ikue Otani)
- Kasumi
- (voice)
- (as Mayumi Iizuka)
- Togepi
- (voice)
- …
- Musashi
- (voice)
- …
- Kojirô
- (voice)
- …
- Nyarth
- (voice)
- Sakaki
- (voice)
- Joy
- (voice)
- Junsar
- (voice)
- Mew
- (voice)
- Doctor Fuji
- (voice)
- Sorao
- (voice)
- Umio
- (voice)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Japanese version's Mewtwo is shown in a more favorable light, feeling that it has no place in the world and so wants to "earn" its place. The English dub opts to make Mewtwo an emotionless tyrant who wants to destroy the world, a decision that both fans and critics criticize. In hindsight, the producers felt they made the wrong decision.
- GoofsWhen watching the Pokemon go through the cloning machine, Jessie and James call the silhouette of a Scyther an Alakazam.
- 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.
- Crazy creditsAfter the credits, we see Mew fly away into the sky.
- Alternate versionsWhen 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.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Pokémon: The Uncut Story of Mewtwo's Origin (1999)
- SoundtracksMezase Pokemon Masutâ '98
(Aim to Be a Pokemon Master '98)
Lyrics by Akihito Toda
Music by Hirokazu Tanaka
Arranged by Cheru Watanabe
Performed by Rica Matsumoto
Courtesy of Nippon Columbia
But just because I am no longer swamped with obsession does not mean I cannot still feel the joy of this innocent little saga looking back on it as an adult. Yes, before you question me, I still enjoy the Pokemon movie. In fact, I enjoy both of them, especially "Pokemon 2000." But this review concerns the first one, released in 1999. For those who do not know, there are a lot of Pokemon, but one in particular, called Mew, is the strongest of them all. One day, some fiddling scientists clone from Mew's DNA a newer, stronger beast called Mewtwo: a psychic creature infuriated by how Pokemon seem to have become slaves to humans. And very slowly, he begins to set up a trap to restore Pokemon to what he feels is their rightful place in the world, at the top. Once again we rendezvous with our heroes, as the narrator calls them, from the TV show. There's Ash Ketchum, Misty, Brock, and of course, the little lightning-surged rodent Pikachu. After a prologue revolving around Mewtwo, we dive in with them.
There is a lot of advertisement in "Pokemon: The First Movie." It is very much a merchandise exploitation to further the interest of kids in the cards, games, and series. But kids endorse these sort of things. I know, because I remember I did when I was eight or so and saw the movie for the first time. I mean, what kid wouldn't like to have an army of monsters at his command and be able to duke them out with other monsters? It's like having Godzilla and Mothra and Rodan at your command.
What I really liked about "Pokemon: The First Movie" then and now is that, like Godzilla, it's innocent and goodhearted fun. It's not meant to be taken too seriously, and nobody does, and it is inoffensive, harmless, joyful, and really nostalgia-stirring. It's also enjoyable because it makes the best out of what it has. The Japanese animation, even the movie's detractors note, is eye candy. It's rich, colorful, and fun to look at. I also enjoy twists in the story, such as how one of Ash's Pokemon, a dragon-like thing called Charizard, refuses to obey its master. There's personality in the Pokemon, in Mewtwo, and especially in Pikachu, who dare I say it, is actually kind of adorable as far as animated, imaginary animals are concerned. There is a lot of personality in this little rodent, especially in the eyes, which are well-animated, and in its voice. There's also a trio of bumbling villains, two rockstar would-be secret agents and their talking cat Meowth, who have some very funny moments as they try to make a good impression for their boss by kidnapping Pikachu. There's also the emphasis on whether or not Pokemon and humans are really master and slave or friend and friend.
If I do have anything negative to say about the movie it is the fact that it really just feels like an extended version of a TV episode rather than a feature film. A movie adaptation needs to push the boundaries and expand rather than just use the same material at greater pacing. That's why I personally prefer "Pokemon 2000" because it does what I mentioned.
That's all I have to say in a bad manner.
I know I will have a lot of insulting comments thrown in my direction, but I see nothing wrong with number one, having liked Pokemon in my youth, and number two, still mildly enjoying Pokemon as an adult, looking back on a time when I was more innocent, more open-minded, and more willing to accept things that were outside of what we were "supposed to like and not like." Some may choose to call me childish for liking "Pokemon: The Movie." I think the proper term would be young-at-heart.
- TheUnknown837-1
- Jul 15, 2010
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back
- Filming locations
- Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan(OLM, Inc.)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $30,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $85,744,662
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $31,036,678
- Nov 14, 1999
- Gross worldwide
- $163,644,940
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1