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November 15, 1999 -- "Pokémon, the First Movie; Mewtwo Strikes Back" (whew! I finally got enough room on the page to get the whole title in) is a sophisticated effort to write a Frankenstein story of genetic engineering and cloning for children, and it is surprisingly good.
There has been talk about the dark nature of the film, and it is dark, but it is also uplifting with a good message about self-identity, self-worth and tolerance. The dark part of the tale is not unlike other stories that have been told for generations, such as Hansel and Gretel and Sleeping Beauty and the more recent "Anastasia" and "Hercules" movies also have dark forces at work. Many animated feature length films are based on traditional stories which involve a hero overcoming evil, sometimes through self-sacrifice.
It may be that this kind of structure is needed for a story that will capture the imagination of the audience. Conflict and sacrifice make for a dramatic story. Maybe some people were looking for more of a comedy in this film, but that's not what they got.
The story starts in a laboratory where scientists have cloned a replica of Mew, the most powerful of the Pokémon, a variety of creatures with a variety of fighting capabilities. They have also enhanced Mewtwo's powers through genetic engineering. Mewtwo escapes his bonds and destroys the scientists who made him, vowing to take over the world.Since Mewtwo is a cloned creature, he lacks an identity and does not know his place in the world. Filled with hatred for those who would try to use him, he builds his own army of cloned Pokémon with an eye to killing all the people and Pokémon in the world. He would then rule this remade world with his clones.
Pitted against this evil plan are a group of Pokémon masters. These kids use Pokémon to play games, pitting one kind of Pokémon against another in tests of strength and skill. This is exactly the kind of slavery that Mewtwo hates. The issue of masters using Pokémon for their own amusement is not addressed in the movie, however.
When Mewtwo has all the masters and their Pokémon, he captures them for his own army. Instead of killing the humans, however, he agrees to a contest, his cloned Pokémon against those of the masters. Anyone who has seen any martial arts movies will understand this motif. A superior foe will be compelled to do battle in a contest, even when it is against his own best interest to do so. It is a matter of pride.
While there is sacrifice in the battle, the resolution of the battle is interesting. Rather than glorifying battle as a test to prove who is superior, the story tries to demonstrate that battle is futile and that an accommodation, or conciliation, is a better solution. It also preaches that one's identity and worth comes from within, and is not determined by one's birth. This Japanese film's free will philosophy is in stark contrast to the determinism that seems to be running rampant in today's Hollywood films. The movie, mainly for kids, rates an B for kids, a C for adults.
"Pikachu's Summer Vacation," is a short subject precedes the movie. It is nearly incomprehensible from a narrative standpoint (at least from a Western viewpoint) and the animation is far inferior to that of the main feature. It does, however, provide ample time to head to the snack bar or restroom during this Pokémon short feature before the real movie starts. "Pikachu's Summer Vaction" rates an F.
Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.
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