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Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back

Original title: Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ: Myûtsû no Gyakushû
  • 1998
  • G
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
48K
YOUR RATING
Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998)
Animal AdventureAnimeHand-Drawn AnimationActionAdventureAnimationFamilyFantasySci-Fi

Scientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous.Scientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous.Scientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous.

  • Director
    • Kunihiko Yuyama
  • Writers
    • Satoshi Tajiri
    • Takeshi Shudô
    • Jun'ichi Masuda
  • Stars
    • Veronica Taylor
    • Rachael Lillis
    • Eric Stuart
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    48K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kunihiko Yuyama
    • Writers
      • Satoshi Tajiri
      • Takeshi Shudô
      • Jun'ichi Masuda
    • Stars
      • Veronica Taylor
      • Rachael Lillis
      • Eric Stuart
    • 289User reviews
    • 77Critic reviews
    • 35Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    Pokemon: The First Movie [Pok�mon: The First Movie]
    Trailer 1:44
    Pokemon: The First Movie [Pok�mon: The First Movie]

    Photos153

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    + 149
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    Top cast51

    Edit
    Veronica Taylor
    Veronica Taylor
    • Ash Ketchum
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    • …
    Rachael Lillis
    Rachael Lillis
    • Misty
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    • …
    Eric Stuart
    Eric Stuart
    • Brock
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    • …
    Rica Matsumoto
    Rica Matsumoto
    • Satoshi
    • (voice)
    Ikue Ôtani
    Ikue Ôtani
    • Pikachu
    • (voice)
    • (as Ikue Otani)
    Mayumi Izuka
    Mayumi Izuka
    • Kasumi
    • (voice)
    • (as Mayumi Iizuka)
    Yûji Ueda
    Yûji Ueda
    • Takeshi
    • (voice)
    • …
    Satomi Kôrogi
    Satomi Kôrogi
    • Togepi
    • (voice)
    • …
    Megumi Hayashibara
    Megumi Hayashibara
    • Musashi
    • (voice)
    • …
    Shin'ichirô Miki
    Shin'ichirô Miki
    • Kojirô
    • (voice)
    • …
    Inuko Inuyama
    Inuko Inuyama
    • Nyarth
    • (voice)
    Hirotaka Suzuoki
    Hirotaka Suzuoki
    • Sakaki
    • (voice)
    Ayako Shiraishi
    • Joy
    • (voice)
    Chinami Nishimura
    • Junsar
    • (voice)
    Kôichi Yamadera
    Kôichi Yamadera
    • Mew
    • (voice)
    Yôsuke Akimoto
    • Doctor Fuji
    • (voice)
    Tôru Furuya
    Tôru Furuya
    • Sorao
    • (voice)
    Wataru Takagi
    Wataru Takagi
    • Umio
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Kunihiko Yuyama
    • Writers
      • Satoshi Tajiri
      • Takeshi Shudô
      • Jun'ichi Masuda
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews289

    6.347.9K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    olc

    This Movie rocks you gata see it if you love Pokemon!

    This movie is "da bomb"! If you love pokemon you will obviously love the movie Quote the tagline "Prepare for the gratest match ever!" so I recommend you see it. And yes James of Team Rocket does rock. But if you want to know the movies plot too bad you will have to see the movie! BYE P.S. this site and every member rock!!!
    10Vasitor

    Prepare for trouble

    Okay now, be honest. How many of you who rated this movie a '1' actually saw it? Probably none. Pokemon rule; yes, I will admit to being another 20 year old who enjoys pokemon; I went to see it with my 18 year old brother, too. It might be a little sappy with its message, but it's a lot of fun to watch, anyway. The best part of the movie is the final showdown between Mew and Mewtwo; not because of the battle, but because of the conversation: Mewtwo- "Why do you run? Are you afraid to learn who is supreme?!" Mew- "Mew"

    If you've rated this movie a one just because you think it's dumb or a bad influence on kids, I've got three words for you.

    "Get over yourself"
    7TheMovieDiorama

    Pokémon The First Movie is the catalyst that releases my inner nostalgia.

    I completely understand that this film is not particularly intelligent or compelling. However, the TV series never was either. And to this day, I still believe that this film is a decent continuation of that series. This really was made for children and fans of the franchise, if you are neither...well you just aren't going to enjoy it. As a hardcore Pokémon fan, I can say that young Luke was damn happy with this, and old Luke still is! After cloning the mythical Pokémon Mew, Mewtwo was created; a vastly more intelligent and powerful psychic creation. Believing that he is just a slave, he destroys the laboratory that he was formed in and holds a vendetta against humanity. Ash and the gang are invited to take on the world's most powerful Pokémon trainer, only for them to realise it's actually Mewtwo. Can we just take a moment and appreciate how strong and ferocious this franchise is. It is still ever present today, and this was released nearly 20 years ago. The animation has aged extremely well (although the bluray's conversion does have some resolution issues) and it's a nice short film. Children will love this, except maybe for the ending where we are forced to watch Pokémon fight to the death whilst a generic pop song plays over it. Yes, we have to endure one Pikachu unwillingly slapping another Pikachu on the face. Not once. Not twice. I'm talking twenty times. And with each slap, it cries. The climax is just ridiculously sad. I don't want to see Pokémon cry! *wipes tear away*. It's an absurd story but it does tackle the important message of not fighting each other. To cohabit and work together as a team instead of punching, biting and Pikachu slapping each other. A moral that I do believe kids will understand beneath the cutesy animation. Voice acting was good all round, Veronica Taylor will always be my Ash. Nearly all of the first generation Pokémon are featured in this, so there is plenty of variety to keep you occupied. It's short, it's sweet and I'm 22...
    PeyotePete

    For the love of God, people! It's a good movie!

    I admit that I came into the theater completely biased against Pokémon, and I still hate nearly everything about it... with the exception of this film (and the opening theme for Johto League Champions.) Admittedly, the movie was probably pumped out of the studio in order to rake in more and more cash (and it worked) but somehow, the writer managed to keep a stong, albeit thinly veiled anti-violence sentiment. There were also some acts of cheesy heroism I found downright heartwarming. Also notable is the incredible magnitude of the backgrounds. The flying palace was absolutely stunning. I liked it. But, you probably won't. Don't watch it.
    9GaryCXJk

    Tell me what we're fighting for

    Well, I liked Pokemon the first moment I saw the series... actually, after a few episodes. Anyways, after I saw the video clip "Don't Say You Love Me" (M2M), I wanted to see the movie.

    Now, finally, after a few years and a DVD player later, I bought the movie, and I gotta tell ya, I regret it that I didn't see it in the cinemas... actually, I don't, because, well, I was "too old" for pokemon. That's the biggest bullpoo I ever heard. Well, sure, pokemon is mainly for young people, but I did enjoy the movie, for an 18 year old guy.

    Well, back to the movie. The movie is great. I've seen the movie in Dutch first (because I'm used to the Dutch voices, and they sound better to me). The way Mewtwo's voice was used, it was as if Mewtwo was really in your head. But you'll need Dolby Surround for that experience. Also, the way the movie reffered back to the series, perfect. I mean, if you haven't seen the series, then that's okey, but don't look weird if you don't understand certain events and jokes and such.

    The most unique thing is that this Pokemon movie really shows how much the Pokemon can care for their trainer. ** ENDING HINT ** You can mostly see it near the end of the movie.

    Pokemon: The First Movie is probably the first movie that succeeded on following up their series successfull. It may not be a great movie, but it sure was fun to look at.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Japanese version's Mewtwo is shown in a more favorable light, feeling that it has no place in the world and so wants to "earn" its place. The English dub opts to make Mewtwo an emotionless tyrant who wants to destroy the world, a decision that both fans and critics criticize. In hindsight, the producers felt they made the wrong decision.
    • Goofs
      When watching the Pokemon go through the cloning machine, Jessie and James call the silhouette of a Scyther an Alakazam.
    • Quotes

      Mewtwo: The human sacrificed himself, to save the Pokemon. I pitted them against each other, but not until they set aside their differences did I see the true power they all share deep inside. I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant; it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.

      [Japanese version]

      Mewtwo: It's true... that you're a Pokémon who exists just like I do. It might be best if no one knew of this incident. It might be best to forget this.

    • Crazy credits
      After the credits, we see Mew fly away into the sky.
    • Alternate versions
      When shown theatrically and on the original DVD release, Mewtwo's voice while thinking was projected through the center dialogue channel, but when speaking to others psychically, it was projected at a larger volume through all the speakers to overwhelm the audience. The VHS, 2016 DVD rerelease and Blu-ray use a separate mix that does not have this effect on it.
    • Connections
      Featured in Pokémon: The Uncut Story of Mewtwo's Origin (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Mezase Pokemon Masutâ '98
      (Aim to Be a Pokemon Master '98)

      Lyrics by Akihito Toda

      Music by Hirokazu Tanaka

      Arranged by Cheru Watanabe

      Performed by Rica Matsumoto

      Courtesy of Nippon Columbia

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 12, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • Japanese
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back
    • Filming locations
      • Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan(OLM, Inc.)
    • Production companies
      • Oriental Light and Magic (OLM)
      • Shogakukan Production
      • Tomy
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $85,744,662
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $31,036,678
      • Nov 14, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $163,644,940
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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