Pokémon: The First Movie (1998)

Original title

劇場版ポケットモンスター ミュウツーの逆襲

Directed by

Kunihiko Yuyama

Genre

family film, science fiction anime, adventure anime, fantasy anime, action anime

Country

Japan

Runtime

1h 15m

Rated

G

Rating

7.0 of 10 from 1,595 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

A genetically created Pokémon named Mewtwo questions its own existence and seeks revenge on humans. Ash Ketchum and his friends try to stop Mewtwo from destroying everything in its path.

emotionalphilosophicalmelancholicaction-packedhopefulthought-provokingfast-paceddramatic

What happens

Pokémon: The First Movie is a 1998 Japanese animated fantasy adventure film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama. It is the first in the Pokémon anime film series. The film was first released in Japan on July 18, 1998, to positive reviews, with praise directed at the film's emotional impact and exploration of ethical topics such as cloning, genetic modification, and existentialism. The English-language adaptation was released in North America and other countries on November 10, 1999, by Warner Bros. Pictures. This version was received far less positively than the original Japanese release, with much criticism pointed at the inclusion of an anti-violence message contradictory to the series' overall concept. Further, retrospective criticism of the dub has been targeted against the removal of most of the ethical topics from the original Japanese version, such as part of Mewtwo's origin story. Despite mixed reviews, it was a box office success worldwide, topping the box office charts in its opening weekend and eventually grossing over $172 million at the worldwide box office. It also sold 10 million home video units in the United States, including 4.2 million VHS sales that earned $58.8 million in 2000. On July 8, 1999, an extended version aired on Japanese television. In addition to an added prologue, the release included new animation and CGI graphics. The film primarily consists of two segments: The Uncut Story of Mewtwo's Origin, the ten-minute prologue added to the extended version; and Mewtwo Strikes Back, the main 75-minute film feature. Overseas, the prologue can only be seen as a bonus short in DVD versions of Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns. Several versions of the film, such as the theatrical release, also include Pikachu's Summer Vacation, a bonus side story featuring Pikachu as the protagonist. A full CGI remake of the movie, titled Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution, was released in 2019. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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