Pokemon: The First Movie (Mewtwo Strikes Back)
Rating: * *˝ out of * * * *
Rated: G but contains mild animated violence.
Voices...Veronica Taylor, Racheal Lillis, Eric Stuart, Iikue Ootani.
Running Time: 104 minutes.
Ok so your probably wondering why I gave this movie the rating I did. Well the answer is because the movie was actually good. Even though you can tell it's definitely made for kids, the message it gives in the end and it's charming characters bring out the good side in the movie and cover up the bad. It's far from being a great movie however kids will love it because it is Pokemon and parents will like it because of the end and the important message it gives to kids without being mean or complicated.
Since there really isn't a strong plot I will try and explain it the best I can. Ash is a Pokemon trainer trying to become one of the world's best. He receives an invitation to go to a championship hosted by the world's best Pokemon trainer. Ash of course being a trainer wants to immediately go and compete. Well in the meantime a new Pokemon has been created from another Pokemon. This Pokemon is Mewtwo, an evil psychic Pokemon which can read people's mind and wants to take over the Earth. While Ash is on his way to the Pokemon championship, Mewtwo causes a big storm so no one can pass through and get there. Other trainers however take their Pokemon to get them there and eventually do as does Ash. What Mewtwo's evil plans are to clone all the Pokemon and make them fight each other. Ash has to try and stop him in a battle in the end that will leave you heartbroken as well as feeling good with it's important message of fighting.
That's about all there is. Pokemon: The First Movie is not Disney, you can tell that by first glance. The story is one that is light and fluffy with a heart hidden below somewhere we can't see. From the plush animation and rich colors to the kicking soundtrack with some great songs and noticeable voices. Pokemon has become a big thing in the last couple of months: Trading Cars, Toys, Clothes you name it Pokemon is on it. My little brother and sister are huge Pokemon fans and do not miss any episode and if they do they are depressed until the next episode comes on.
You really can't meet a kid now who doesn't like Pokemon. It's the new trend I'm sure other things have been big like this but when both theatres sell out on the first day, it's a big bet Pokemon is going to be huge. I've also heard that this was Japan's biggest grossing movie of all time. You can call it an anime if you want, but I really do not think it deserves the name of an anime. The movies only real big flaws come from spots that are so slow that it could put one to sleep and that fact that it takes itself too seriously at times even though the TV series doesn't.
When you see Pokemon you wonder why this just couldn't be a direct-to-video feature. I mean it is a low-brow kids movie with overviews of humor and violence. But it has something there that makes it worth all the while and trouble to see it. I wasn't surprised that all the kids came out of the movie with a huge smile on their face saying over and over Pika Pika after the cute and cuddly little Pokemon Pikachu.
Overall Pokemon: The First Movie is a surprisingly sweet, funny and good animated movie that the whole family can enjoy. With it's lovable character, plush and colorful animation and humor all embedded in one Pokemon fans will not be let down. Kids will definitely love it for the fact it's Pokemon and it's big important message at the end will make parents proud and knowing that even though a movie is all about fighting it can actually be against it too. Doesn't make any sense? See the movie.
Reviewed by Brandon Herring November 10, 1999
Brandon
Herring
Http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/movie/3160/movie
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