A classic remade for a new generation of fans
Yesterday was Pokemon Day, the day in which Pokemon fans celebrate the anniversary of the release of the original games released in Japan back on February 27th, 1996. Yes, I realize I am a day late, but chances are most of the people reading my blog aren't exactly into Pokemon, and thus don't care too much about the timing of my review. Anyway, Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution is a remake of the 1998 (If we go with Japanese release dates) animated movie Pokemon: The First Movie. Aside from adding in the prologue that was originally a DVD bonus feature, the plot is identical, this is a good thing though. I'd imagine fans wouldn't be too happy if it were all different after all. In case you haven't seen it within the 22 years it's been out though, allow me to explain. The movie follows a group of young Pokemon Trainers, Ash, Misty, and Brock who are invited to a mysterious, isolated island out in the middle of the sea where they encounter The Artificial Pokemon, Mewtwo. I won't say much else right now as that is what the rest of the review is for, so let's jump right into it.
The movie begins with the added prologue I mentioned earlier. A group of scientists come across the ancient ruins of the mythical Pokemon, Mew, who is said to not only be the strongest Pokemon, but also the genetic ancestor to all Pokemon. They manage to find some fossilized fur nearby from Mew, and with it they are able to proceed with their project. Have a little fun fact, in the original movie the jungle they are in is identified as part of the real world country, Co-operative Republic of Guyana. What does this mean? Obviously it means that Mew is probably chilling out in the Amazon; another reason to save the rain forests. In the next scene Mewtwo, the clone of Mew is born, and he is having an existential crisis. Who am I, What am I, Where am I are some of the many questions he asks himself. He also sees Mew in a vision. Upon being told that he is simply a human creation created in the name of science, Mewtwo goes berserk and destroys the entire lab, taking out all the people with it. You heard that right, Mewtwo just committed mass murder! Ya know, for kids! Mewtwo is then approached by Giovanni, the leader the Team Rocket, a criminal organization bent on world domination. We then get Armored Mewtwo, like normal Mewtwo, but with a cool suit of hi-tech armor on him. Together Giovanni, and Mewtwo wreck havoc on the Kanto region. That is until Mewtwo begins to question Giovanni, wondering what he is fighting for. Giovanni responds saying that Pokemon are to obey their masters, and nothing more. Mewtwo argues that he is no Pokemon, but not human either, and destroys the base. Coming to the conclusion that all humans are selfish, and cruel, and for bringing him into the world when he did not ask to be born, he shall strike back against humanity. Wow, that sure was pretty serious, let's go on to something more family friendly.
A narrator then introduces us to Ash, and his friends, Misty, and Brock. The group decide to have a picnic near the ocean when a random trainer challenges Ash to a Pokemon battle. Ash agrees to, and the sequence is a perfect shot by shot recreation of the iconic opening credits scene of the original. Ash wins without any trouble, and is ready to celebrate with his friends. Meanwhile we cut back to Mewtwo who has noticed Ash, and his friends. He decides to have an invitation sent to them. His human assistant agrees, and sends off a Dragonite to deliver the message. Back at the group the comically evil Team Rocket trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth are spying on them trying to find the right opportunity to catch Ash's Pikachu as they usually try to do in the show. A Dragonite flying at mach speed though disrupts the picnic as it delivers the invitation to the trio. The message has Mewtwo's human assistant appear saying that her master had invited the three of them to a party, celebrating how much of strong trainers they are.The group accept the invitation, and head off to a near by harbor so they can reach New Island, where the party is being held. Although as they arrive at the harbor, Mewtwo has whipped a dangerous hurricane making the ocean too dangerous to cross via boat. The trainers that had been invited though are not willing to give up as they pull out either winged flying-types, or sea-faring water-types to assist them across the dangerous sea. Ash, and friends are left behind as they do not have the right kind of Pokemon to cross the sea. Luckily though Team Rocket is there in disguise, operating a small motorboat. They happen to be heading to the island as well due to the fact that they stole a invitation from the Dragonite. The group hops on, and it's going well until the violent waves force them underwater, ruining Team Rocket's disguise. Before the trio can get close to finish their motto, they are thrown off the boat into the ocean, and soon so are Ash, and friends. Using Misty's Staryu, and Ash's Squirtle they are able to swim the rest of the way to the island where they are greeted by the mysterious woman who sent the invitation. After this part we also find that Team Rocket managed to make it there as well by just dumb luck.
The mysterious woman takes the group into the main room where the other trainers are located. Though turns out that only three people actually made it, geez, it's kinda dark to think about what might've happened to the others... let's just say they returned to the harbor, okay? The trainers then introduce each other, and their partner Pokemon. Meanwhile somewhere in the Amazon, or wherever Mew feels a disturbance in the force, and rushes off to go find what's causing it. After the trainers get to know each other, the woman tells them that they are there to have a opportunity to battle the Strongest Pokemon Trainer ever, Mewtwo. One of the trainers argues though that a Pokemon cannot be a trainer to which Mewtwo responds by attacking the man. The trainer then attempts to use his Gyarados' Hyper Beam attack on Mewtwo, but the powerful Pokemon only reflects it back. Meanwhile in the basement of the palace, Team Rocket come across a lab dedicated to cloning Pokemon as they see when Meowth is accidentally cloned. Back on the upper level of the palace Mewtwo releases his control on the woman he had been brainwashing, and turns out it was Nurse Joy from the harbor's Pokemon Center who disappeared a week, or two prior. Mewtwo also reveals his three cloned Pokemon based on the final evolutions of the Kanto starters; Venusaur, Blastoise, and Charizard. The room then opens up revealing a large stadium where Mewtwo challenges the trainers to go against his powerful cloned Pokemon. One by one, everyone is defeated, and with this Mewtwo then proceeds to send out Pokeballs of his own making to capture every single one of the trainer's Pokemon. Only Misty's Togepi is able to avoid capture as it was able to hide in her backpack, but everyone else, all their Pokemon are taken away, even Pikachu. Ash does not give up so easily though as he goes down the chute where the balls are being sent to the cloning lab.
Down in the lab Ash is able to save Pikachu while also freeing the other Pokemon that had been captured. It is too late though as all the cloned Pokemon have left to join Mewtwo in the stadium. Filled with determination Ash leads the other Pokemon into the stadium, which in the original version is one of the best moments in Pokemon movie history in my opinion. The newer version feels a bit lackluster in comparison. Mew also finally reveals itself to Mewtwo. Mewtwo feeling that he must be superior to Mew begins fighting with it, and along with that the clones, and the original Pokemon all begin fighting each other. Everyone is fighting, except for Meowth who ends up befriending his clone, and Pikachu who does not wish to fight. During this fight scene is some very serious talk about what constitutes a living being, and just because they are the same doesn't mean they can't share peace. The Pokemon continue to fight each other even when they are all out of energy. Although the cloned Pikachu refuses to give in, even though Pikachu is not willing to fight, and instead is willingly receiving it's hits. Realizing that if Mew, and Mewtwo don't stop fighting, then the fighting will never end. When the two legionaries prepare their ultimate attacks, Ash jumps in the middle to try, and stop them, but is only caught in the cross fire. Ash is turned into solid stone. His Pikachu attempts to revive him, but to no avail, and begins sobbing. The other Pokemon seeing Ash's sacrifice, and Pikachu's love for his trainer they all begin crying as well. 2D, or 3D; 5, or 21, this scene will always make me cry like a baby. Luckily for Ash though, the tears of the Pokemon actually end up bringing him back to life. It is here that Mewtwo learns the value of life, and how humans can have kindness in their hearts. The storm subsides as Mewtwo then takes all the cloned Pokemon, and leaves to go find them a new safe home. The trainers, and their Pokemon are sent back to the harbor as well with no memories of the events that had just transpired. The trio of friends look out towards the ocean where Ash catches a glimpse of Mew right before the movie ends.
This movie is not perfect, but it isn't terrible either. Personally I love what they were trying to do with this. After all, all the original Pokemon fans are now grown up with children of their own. It only makes sense that they recreate a classic movie from our childhood so then it may be a part of the newest generation's childhood. The animation I thought looked really great in some part, and made some of the scenes from the original much more dynamic. Though I am not much a fan of the human character designs, but I can get over it. Mewtwo Strikes Back, whether you're watching the original, or this new version it is a much watch, even if your knowledge of Pokemon is limited to the Pokemon Go mobile game. I highly recommend this emotionally powerful movie. Technically Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution gets a 4 out of 5 Paws up. Although I would give the original one a 5 out of 5 Paws up, and no i'm not going to do a second review just for the original one.
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