Pokemon: The First Movie: Review By Bawnian©-Dexeus

Pokémon: The First Movie is a 1998 Japanese animated film.

Directed by: Kunihiko Yuyama.

The Voices:

Veronica Taylor: Ash Ketchum

Ikue Ōtani: Pikachu

Rachael Lillis: Misty

Eric Stuart: Brock

Phillip Barlett: Mewtwo

Scientists find a way to make a clone of a Pokémon of legend thought to be extinct: Mew #150. In their creation rises a clone far superior to the original and more powerful than any Pokémon in history known as Mewtwo#151 However, as he becomes self aware of his scientific purpose, he views humans as greedy, evil and merciless creatures who need to be destroyed, including the pokemon who stand by their side. It's up to Ash and Pikachu #025 to stop Mewtwo.

From the hobby of insect collecting, Satoshi Tajiri-Oniwa would later become the creator of the Pokémon world. In 1999 I was so excited to purchase my first ever cartridge for the Game Boy color after watching the premier of the Anime series the year before. I chose the Red version. I'll never forget my first choice for a partner: Charmander #004.I played that game nonstop, changing the batteries, looking for good light to see the screen. Ignoring my homework, you name it. Then the day I was waiting for with as much anticipation I had for the game...The Movie. I nearly gave my dad a headache so that we could go to the premier. We went, and I loved it. Made me want to buy the Blue Version.

The film doesn't commence with the main story, but opens with a filler for the fans of Pikachu. And it was pure comedy. How are little yellow mouse friend is sent to sort of a camp for Pokémon and must protect his fellow creatures from bullies, compete with his evolved form Raichu #026. This goes on for a good 21 minutes.

We continue with the Origin of Mewtwo. However, the original cut of this 10 minute story was edited out by Warner Bros. because of it's dark tone. I guess the standard Japan has for their audience is different for Americans. Then again, Anime is for all ages. Scientists, with one in particular, has a goal to clone a Mew from a fossil. The cloning process actually improves the original design. if the experiment were to be a success, he would then be able to use the same technology to bring back his baby girl. A clone was created and we get to see a young Mewtwo in it's chamber, whom suddenly awakens and begins to bond with amber, the scientists lost daughter's brain waves. If the Pokémon clone survives, then enough knowledge to the secret to life will be discovered. as the bonding continues, a problem occurs and one by one, the clones of Bulbasaur #001, Squirtle #007 and Charmander begin to fade away, making the cloning process a failure, but Amber's chamber also fails. Mewtwo begins to witness this sad moment that he begins to feel the power of this sadness. He begins to cry. Through this event in his soon to be short life, his psychic powers burst with rage that cause his growth to survive. Before Amber disappears forever, she tells him that tears are wonderful, for they are part of life. A reference that later can be explained at the end of the film, but we had to figure out for ourselves. I guess dying characters is too much for kids.

Watching this clone was like a dream. Without this origin, we see the character in anger for the true purpose of his creation. One can't help but feel sorry for him. Being used for another's personal gain to power for world domination. We could understand his rage for all humans more clearly had we this origin.

We follow the adventure of Ash Ketchum, the protagonist to not just this movie, but the entire Anime cartoon series that has been running for a good 13-14 years. Based around the story-line of his gym battles and the Pokémon League, his number one goal is to be the worlds greatest Pokémon Master. Even without the series, to be a master is more than just catching all 151 creatures (or so we thought). It's about the responsibilities a trainer has to endure and grow with partners as a whole to achieve the intended goals. Like any other trainer, Ash is better known for accepting all the challenges presented to him, and this is where Mewtwo comes in and invited Ash to an exclusive tournament where the worlds best Pokémon trainers will battle it out. However, it ends up being a plan so that Mewtwo could gain their strongest partners and clone them.

The depth of Mewtwo deepens as he expresses his hate for mankind and the Pokémon that share a friendly bond with, or are used for battle against other trainers for glory and a vendetta against Mew to prove his worth of power. A disgusted individual to a world he considers primitive and violent. By cloning all his intended targets, he wishes to use his powers to storm the entire planet and rid it from the problem. While the memories of Amber never resurface, his anger can be related to that day in his youth that can easily set his spark to rage, unable to understand the bond of man and Pokémon, of life, of how power doesn't need to be artificial or enhanced. And as a battle between the clones and the originals is waged our hero sacrifices himself to stop the clash between Mewtwo and Mew and is turned into stone. A very interesting way of killing Ash. Rock has nothing but lifeless. As tears are shed by Pikachu and others (original species) to bring him back to life. And thus the reference to life by the tears is made; the true power that comes from a Pokémon is also the secret.

The Visuals:

The animation was spectacular from stop to finish. The battles between Mew and Mewtwo, the clones, etc...While it has its bloopers with wrong names being spoken at times, the entire film did the series proud.

Overall:

To this day, the movie ranks as the franchises greatest. While there have been several more releases (18 total) none of them have had the heart, and deep character revelations as the original. A great film with a nostalgic essence to it for the classic Pokémon fan. And I mean classic because of the first generation trainers (myself included) to ever play the game. If you've never come across it or familiar with it, no problem. It makes for a great escape into a fantasy full of 151 wonders.

Gotta Catch 'Em All!!!!

Written by: Bawnian©-Dexeus.