Pokémon the First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back (DVD, 2000)

I remember taking my 7-year-old nephew (he's in college now!) to see this movie on opening day at the multiplex. He'd just talked me into being a Pokemon League referee, so I was eager to learn more about the characters. I found myself loving this movie, and almost all of the subsequent ones. I especially enjoy the dialogue-less short cartoons featuring the Pokemon "in the wild" which are included with every Pokemon movie feature. This is the classic Pokemon cast: Ash, Brock, Misty, Jessie and James, Pikachu, Meowth, and a slew of identical twin police officers and nurses. I had the opportunity to show this film to a new generation at my church's Movie Night; they were enthralled (and surprised to discover that their new youth pastor was an expert in Pokemon!) I recommend this movie as a good way for kids to learn the backstory behind the daily Pokemon cartoons. The production values are excellent, the soundtrack is bubbly and enjoyable, and the story will keep them glued to their seats.

P.S. I gave this DVD 4 stars rather than a perfect 5-star rating simply because there was no new content on the DVDs. I would have liked to see deleted scenes, cast commentary, music videos, or something more than just the movie and the short feature. For story quality and general enjoyment, however, this is a 5-star movie.

What is the best thing about the Pokemon universe? Its a safe place for your child to play, or in this case, watch. Whether you buy it on DVD or Video, this film is a truly great intro into the world of Pokemon. Ok, so its not for most adults, who would be bored with the hundreds of variations of pocket monsters, the underlying themes of friendship and understanding are clearly good things for kids to learn about. This concept is really the heart of the Pokemon series, and Ashe and his friends, dare I say it, 'evolve' into better people as this film, and the tv series propels along. The movie sports really good animation, a great pop soundtrack, and whole lotta heart. My warning for this film : not for adults who are heartless or humorless, or for those kids who think they are too cool to watch Pokemon. If you like Pokemon, you must have this film, as it focuses on MewTwo, one of the coolest and most elusive Pokemon ever!

I bought this movie mostly for the nostalgia of my younger days, back when Pokemon first came out. Having seen this movie myself when I was a kid, and seeing the newer Pokemon movies, I can honestly say that this one is the best I have seen. Sure, the graphics may not be quite as sharp as the newer ones, but the storyline more than makes up for this.

To sum up the story, Mewtwo is a Pokemon whose Psychic powers are genetically engineered to be stronger than other Pokemon's abilities. The scientists who created Mewtwo did not realize the full potential of his power, and Mewtwo pretty much destroys them and the lab they kept him imprisoned in. Mewtwo then proceeds to invite powerful Pokemon trainers from all around the Pokemon World to a gathering of great Pokemon trainers, taking place at his private island. Once there, Mewtwo kidnaps the trainers Pokemon, clones them (genetically engineering them to be stronger) and then fights the original Pokemon with the clones. Things look dark until Mew (the Pokemon Mewtwo was cloned from) shows up and proceeds to fight with Mewtwo. They continue to fight until Ash, the protagonist of the Pokemon series, jumps in front of their attack to stop them from fighting. Ash is turned to stone from the attacks, but manages to be healed from this by the abilities of the other Pokemon. These Pokemon all stop fighting when they see what Ash was willing to sacrifice to stop the violence. Mewtwo then apologizes to Mew and the other trainers, and leaves the island along with all of his clones. Using his Psychic abilities, Mewtwo makes Ash and the other trainers, along with all their Pokemon, forget everything about Mewtwo and his clones.

All in all, a great movie for kids, or even adults. Most children probably wouldn't get the full implications of this movie, but it's family-friendly enough so kids can watch it, yet has a deep enough story that adults can enjoy it too.

The movie is an excellent extension from the TV series. All the original characters are there. It’s a nice roller coaster ride as MewTwo tries to figure out his purpose in life.
The movie has a moral plot and teaches that friendship, love and power can work together if done correctly and not abused.
MewTwo starts out as a tyrannical dictatorial bully, but then changes his attitude and his views on life as the movie progresses.
If you and your children like the Pokemon TV series, you will also like this movie.
My son saw the movie when it was at the show with his friends and I purchased this copy for his sister who has just now started liking Pokemon. My son loved the movie back then and my daughter loves the movie now. If you or your kids are Pokemon fans, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Sure one can understand Ash Ketchem's goal of becoming the # 1 Pokemon master, but this film gets much deeper than that. He's always unhesitant about battling, but Mewtoo takes it a step further to battle for the world to claim his domain. Ash wanted to put a end to fighting between 2 of the most powerful Pokemon.
Without rationale, he clearly rushes into the middle of the battleground hoping to stop the pokemon from battling and live together. Whether that was because Ash knew that his pokemon would be destroyed, along w/ all the rest if Mewtoo won, makes me believe that Ash would put his own life in jeapardy to rescue his friends. Mewtoo recognized that and rescinded his goal. Battling to conquer was not the goal anymore, but wisdom from the heart, in which someone like Ash (not using his head) Ketchem could accomplish.