Pokemon: The First Movie-Mewtwo Strikes Back

When Ash, Pikachu, Misty and Brock receive an invitation to meet the worlds greatest Pokemon trainer, it’s a chance they cant pass up.  Little do they know, they’re walking into their biggest and most dangerous adventure to date when they meet Mewtwo, a clone of an illusive legendary Pokemon.  Tired of Human arrogance and Pokemon dependency, Mewtwo seeks to eliminate both and start his own world of those made in his image.  Against foes even Ash and his Pokemon cant handle, the only hope for the world rests in the very Pokemon Mewtwo was born from: Mew.

Released in 1998 in Japan and in 1999 in America, Pokemon: The First Movie arrived at just the right time for Pokemon fans all over the world.  The legendary Video Game and Anime had taken the world by storm and you can be anticipation for its first feature length film was through the roof.  It even teases a match between two of the strongest and rarest Pokemon at the time: Mewtwo vs. Mew. So how is Pokemon: The First Movie?  Well, let’s just say it wasn’t what was constantly advertised at the time of its release and that’s both a good and bad thing. 
 
First off, this movie is pretty dark, surprisingly violent and heavy on the emotion compared to the TV Series.  There’s no blood or gore or anything like that but Mewtwo Strikes Back features Pokemon battles that are more ferocious than anything scene before.  Most of that comes later in the movie and we do get some more family friendly Pokemon battles early on to give Ash and Pikachu their proper on screen welcome.  Much of the darker tone and violence comes from the titular baddie, Mewtwo.  His first appearance is on par with something you’d see out of Akira, a creature of immense power who lashes out at a world that sees him as nothing more than a tool for conquest.  It’s scary to think that in a show about cute creatures battling each other to a KO, the movie actually opens with a very implied heavy kill count for Mewtwo (Tetsuo would be impressed). 
 
One of Pokemon’s most central arguments is how to use and treat Pokemon themselves.  While it’s awesome to see them battle each other, its another thing to have them almost fight to the death like Mewtwo wishes.  I’ll give the movie this, it succeeds in making you both uncomfortable and even on the verge of tears seeing Pokemon get into it like the do in the films final battle.  If you’re not crying when Pikachu cries, something is wrong with you.  There’s good lessons for kids in Pokemon: The First Movie, taught the hard way like a proper 80s fantasy kids film.  At the same time though, I don’t think any of us showed up to a Pokemon movie ready to ball our eyes out.  But Mewtwo Strikes back goes right for the heart and gut punch, you will be crying at some point during the film.
 
A downside to centering the focus on how Pokemon are friends and not weapons is that we don’t get to see much of the promised title fight between Mewtwo and Mew.  Both have a lot of screentime with Mewtwo being a very movie worthy threat to face and Mew being even more adorable than Pikachu at times.  However, once the final battle kicks in Mewtwo and Mew’s long awaited duel is virtually non existent.  It’s the kind of battle that screams “see it on the big screen”.  Two of the most powerful Pokemon ever going at it in a duel for the ages.  And that duel never really comes.  Again, the film kind of tricks you with what its really about.  As good as the films messages are in the end, I still wanted my Mewtwo/Mew battle darn it.
 
Say what you will about Ash Ketchum but he certainly rises to the occasion in his big movie debut, as does his adorable best friend, Pikachu.  Their friendship, the beating heart of the entire Pokemon Anime Franchise, is the perfect counterbalance to Mewtwo’s rage and feelings of betrayal.  Ash may know full well he’s outclassed but that doesn’t mean he isnt trying anything and everything to stop Mewtwo or talk some sense into him.  Same goes for Pikachu, we gets some of the best and most emotional moments of the whole movie (those aforementioned Pikachun tears).  Everyone else from the series is here too including Misty, Brock & Team Rocket.  I’ll be honest though, they don’t do nearly as much as Ash and Pikachu here but this is a pretty common trope/problem with long running Anime with big casts (see any Shonen Anime Movie ever).  But this is Ash, Pikachu and Mewtwo’s movie first and foremost and they serve their roles in the story well.
 
All that said, is Pokemon: The First Movie-Mewtwo Strikes back good?  Well, yes and no.  It offers a grand Pokemon adventure that is worthy of Ash, Pikachu and the gangs time.  The animation is pretty good save for some uneven CG here and there.  Mewtwo’s story goes dark and goes hard on the emotional spectrum but it’s a good one.  The heart wrenching Pokemon battle debate does get more screentime than the heavily advertised clash of the Pokemon titans that are Mewtwo and Mew and you’re probably gonna get more tears than cheers.  I can’t say it’s bad but it’s a little disappointing.  But Mewtwo Stikes Back does prove Pokemon has plenty of big screen potential.  It’s not fully shown here but it’s waiting to be unleashed, like a Pokemon waiting for its next evolution.
 
6.5/10
 
Thankfully the Pokemon 30^th Anniversary Movie Marathon is just getting started.  Next Monday we double the amount of rare and legendary Pokemon and take to the skies with Pokemon 2000: The Movie-The Power of One right here at the Gundam Anime Corner.