Pokémon: The First Movie

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Pokémon: The First Movie
File:Pokemon-mewtwo-strikes-back.jpg
Japanese release poster
Literally Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back!
Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama
Produced by Choji Yoshikawa
Tomoyuki Igarashi
Takemoto Mori
Written by Takeshi Shudō
Starring Rica Matsumoto
Ikue Ōtani
Mayumi Iizuka
Yūji Ueda
Satomi Kōrogi
Megumi Hayashibara
Shin-ichiro Miki
Inuko Inuyama
Masachika Ichimura
Kōichi Yamadera
Narrated by Unshō Ishizuka
Music by Shinji Miyazaki
Cinematography Hisao Shirai
Edited by Toshio Henmi
Yutaka Itō
Production
company
Distributed by Toho
(Japan)
Warner Bros. Pictures
(International)
Release dates
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  • July 18, 1998 (1998-07-18) (Japan)
Running time
75 minutes (theatrical)
85 minutes (later releases)
Country Japan
Language Japanese
Budget ¥3 billion
(US $30 million)
Box office $163.6 million[1]

Pokémon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back, commonly referred to as Pokémon: The First Movie, originally released as Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back! (劇場版ポケットモンスター ミュウツーの逆襲 Gekijōban Poketto Monsutā: Myūtsū no Gyakushū?), is a 1998 Japanese anime film[2] directed by Kunihiko Yuyama, the chief director of the Pokémon television series. It is the first theatrical release in the Pokémon franchise.

It was released in Japan on July 18, 1998. The English-language adaptation, produced by 4Kids Entertainment and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, was released in North America on November 10, 1999.

The film primarily consists of three segments: Pikachu's Vacation, a 21-minute feature focusing on the series mascot Pikachu; Origin of Mewtwo, a 10-minute featurette that functions as a prologue to the main feature; and Mewtwo Strikes Back, the main 75 minute film feature. The featurette was added on for later releases and eventually dubbed as a special feature in the U.S. release of the TV special (that was released as a direct-to-video follow-up film sequel in the U.S.) Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns as The Uncut Story of Mewtwo's Origin.

Although Pokémon was extremely popular when the film was released, it received negative reviews from film critics. Despite the reviews, it was a box office success worldwide, topping the box office charts in its opening weekend, and eventually grossing US$163.6 million worldwide.

Plot

The film begins with an animated short called Pikachu's Vacation (ピカチュウのなつやすみ Pikachū no Natsuyasumi?, Pikachu's Summer Vacation) . In the story, the Pokémon of Ash Ketchum, Misty, and Brock are sent to spend a day at a theme park built for Pokémon. Pikachu, Togepi, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle cross paths with a group of bullies consisting of a Raichu, Cubone, Marill, and a Snubbull. The two groups compete against each other in sports, but it leads to Ash’s Charizard getting its head stuck in a pipe. Pikachu, his friends, and the bullies work together and successfully free Charizard, spending the rest of the day playing before parting ways when their trainers return.

The film begins with a prologue focusing on the origins of Mewtwo. A group of scientists obtain a fossilised eyelash of the legendary Pokémon, Mew, and clone it to create a supersoldier. The lead scientist, Dr. Fuji, is using the project to try to resurrect his deceased daughter Amber. Mewtwo is created, interacting subconsciously with Amber’s clone and those of a Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. However, all of the clones die save Mewtwo. He eventually awakens as an adult but upon learning the scientists plan to treat him as a lab rat, he unleashes his psychic powers and destroys the laboratory.

Giovanni, leader of Team Rocket and the project’s benefactor, convinces Mewtwo to work with him to hone his powers. However, after a time, Mewtwo learns his purpose was to be a weapon for Giovanni’s benefit and escapes back to New Island where he plots revenge against humanity. Months later, numerous Pokémon trainers are invited to New Island to meet and battle the world’s greatest Pokémon Master. Amongst them are Ash, Misty, and Brock, but when they arrive at the port city Old Shore Wharf, a powerful storm whips up, preventing the trainers from sailing to the island. However, several trainers use their Pokémon to travel across the sea. Ash’s group are picked up by Team Rocket disguised as Vikings, but the storm sinks their boat, and they individually make it to New Island.

Escorted into the island’s palace by a maid, the trainers encounter Mewtwo, who releases the maid from his mind control, revealed to be a brainwashed Nurse Joy. Mewtwo plots to use the storm to wipe out humanity, leaving only wild and cloned Pokémon alive. Ash challenges Mewtwo’s power, leading to a battle between the trainers’ Pokémon and Mewtwo’s clones who prove to be vastly superior in combat. Mewtwo captures all of the Pokémon to clone them, Ash chasing the captured Pikachu down into the rebuilt lab, where Team Rocket’s Meowth is also cloned. Ash destroys the cloning machine, freeing the Pokémon, and leads them to confront Mewtwo. Mew appears, alive all along, and confronts Mewtwo.

All of the Pokémon battle save a defiant Pikachu, and Meowth, who makes peace with his own clone. Mew and Mewtwo’s psychic battle wounds all of the Pokémon, forcing a desperate Ash to charge into the firing line of their attacks and is petrified by the blast. Pikachu tries to revive Ash with thunderbolts but it fails. However, the tears of the Pokémon, as per a legend mentioned earlier in the film, are able to heal and revive Ash. Moved by Ash’s sacrifice, Mewtwo realises that he should not have to be judged by his origins but rather his choices in life. Departing with Mew and the clones, Mewtwo erases everyone’s memories of the event.

Ash, Misty, and Brock find themselves back in Old Shore Wharf unsure how they got there. The storm outside clears up, Ash spotting Mew flying through the clouds and tells his friends of how he saw another legendary Pokémon the day he left Pallet Town. Meanwhile, Team Rocket find themselves stranded on New Island but enjoy their time there.

Cast

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Character name Japanese voice actor English voice actor
Ash Ketchum (Satoshi) Rica Matsumoto Veronica Taylor
Pikachu Ikue Ōtani
Misty (Kasumi) Mayumi Iizuka Rachael Lillis
Brock (Takeshi) Yūji Ueda Eric Stuart
Narrator Unshō Ishizuka Ken Gates
Togepi Satomi Kōrogi
Jessie (Musashi) Megumi Hayashibara Rachael Lillis
James (Kojirō) Shin-ichiro Miki Eric Stuart
Meowth (Nyarth) Inuko Inuyama Maddie Blaustein
Bulbasaur (Fushigidane) Megumi Hayashibara Tara Jayne
Charizard (Lizardon) Shin-ichiro Miki
Squirtle (Zenigame) Rikako Aikawa Eric Stuart
Fergus (Umio) Wataru Takagi Jimmy Zoppi
Corey (Sorao) Tōru Furuya Ed Paul
Neesha (Sweet) Aiko Satō Lisa Ortiz
Miranda (Voyager) Sachiko Kobayashi Kayzie Rogers
Pirate Trainer Raymond Johnson Maddie Blaustein
Mewtwo Masachika Ichimura
Fujiko Takimoto (young; radio drama)
Showtaro Morikubo (young; anime)
Philip Bartlett
Mew Kōichi Yamadera
Giovanni (Sakaki) Hirotaka Suzuoki Ed Paul
Officer Jenny (Junsar) Chinami Nishimura Lee Quick
Nurse Joy (Joi) Ayako Shiraishi Megan Hollingshead
Dr. Fuji Yōsuke Akimoto Philip Bartlett
Ambertwo (Aitwo) Kyōko Hikami Kerry Williams
Doctor Fuji's wife and Ai's mother Shinobu Adachi
Scientists Katsuyuki Konishi
Chiyako Shibahara
Investigators Shinpachi Tsuji
Tomohisa Asō
Researchers Hidenari Ugaki
Takuma Suzuki
Akio Suyama
Madame Boss Hiromi Tsuru
Miyamoto Yumi Tōma

Production

File:Mewtwo's Counterattack (Theatrical) - Hand drawn clouds.png
One of the most notable changes in the Kanzenban version as well as rereleases and TV airings of the film are the hand-drawn clouds that are replaced with CGI clouds.

Kunihiko Yuyama directed the original Japanese version of the film, while Choji Yoshikawa served as producer and Takeshi Shudo as the writer. Norman J. Grossfeld, former president of 4Kids Entertainment, served as the film's producer for the English-language North American version. Grossfeld, Michael Haigney and John Touhey wrote the English adaptation, and Haigney served as the English version's voice director.[3] The English version was heavily edited from the original Japanese; along with various content edits, Mewtwo was changed from a morally confused character into a more straightforward villain like Genesect (from Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened) so that children would be able to identify it as the villain more easily. Furthermore, the moral message of the movie was changed from "all life is equal" to "fighting is wrong".[citation needed] The English version editors translated various Japanese texts, including text on signs and on buildings, into English. Shogakukan digitally altered the backgrounds for both the U.S. English version and the Kanzenban version.[4] In the English dub, three Pokémon are referred to by the wrong name. Pidgeot was called Pidgeotto, Scyther was called Alakazam, and Sandslash was called Sandshrew. 4Kids said that they decided to leave the Alakazam and Sandshrew error when they noticed it as something for the children watching to notice and because they felt it was plausible in context that Team Rocket could make a mistake.[5]

Grossfeld also had new music re-recorded for the film's release, citing that it "would better reflect what American kids would respond to." John Loeffler of Rave Music produced the English-language music and composed the film score with Ralph Schuckett. Loeffler also collaborated with John Lissauer and Manny Corallo to produce the English-language "Pikachu's Vacation" score. Grossfeld also revealed that the English version of the film "combines the visual sense of the best Japanese animation with the musical sensibility of Western pop culture."[4]

Marketing campaign

The first trailer was released in August 1999 and was shown before The Iron Giant and Mystery Men. The second trailer was released in the fall of 1999 and was attached to The Bachelor.

For the film's theatrical release, select theaters would give away exclusive Pokémon trading cards, to capitalize on the success of the trading card game. The cards featured likenesses of Electabuzz, Pikachu, Mewtwo, and Dragonite, and were dispensed in random order for each week it was in that particular theater. The subsequent releases of Pokémon: The Movie 2000 and Pokémon 3: The Movie featured a similar marketing campaign. For the 2000 home video release of The First Movie, a limited edition Mewtwo card (different from that used for the theatrical release) was packaged with the video.

Toshihiro Ono, author of Pokémon: The Electric Tale of Pikachu, created a manga version of the film. He received the scripts and continuity in April 1998. The manga was released in May of that year. Ono's editors asked him to draw Mewtwo's birth, which was not included in the film. At a later point the anime staff wrote the Origin of Mewtwo special, which does not match his story. Ono said that "there's not much connection between the manga and the movie."[6]

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes gave the film's English adaptation a 14% approval rating based on 79 reviews, with the consensus being: "Audiences other than children will find very little to entertain them."[7] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 35 out of 100 based on 25 reviews, meaning "generally unfavorable reviews".[8]

Anime News Network review called the main feature "contradictory", stating that "the anti-violent message that is pretty much crammed down our throats works directly against the entire point of the franchise" and criticized Pikachu's Summer Vacation for being "incoherent, pointless and fluffy".[9] Patrick Butters, of The Washington Times, accused Pokémon: The First Movie of taking ideas from other films such as Star Wars and being "just another cog in the mighty Nintendo machine".[10] Michael Wood, of England's Coventry Evening Telegraph said that Pikachu's Summer Vacation "can only be described as a mind-numbingly tedious piece, with no discernible storyline and lots of trippy images and silly voices". Wood did note that the main feature had a "mildly intriguing premise", but said that the rest of the film "was like a martial arts movie without the thrills".[11]

Box office

Pokémon: The First Movie was an instant commercial success, debuting at number one on the U.S. box office charts and making $10,096,848 on its Wednesday opening day. During its first weekend, it grossed $31,036,678 and went on to generate a total of $50,754,104 since its Wednesday launch in 3,043 theaters, averaging to about $10,199 per venue over the three-day span. It also held the record for being the animated feature with the highest-grossing weekend in November, which would be broken two weeks later by Toy Story 2. Despite a 59.72% drop in its second weekend to $12,502,869, the film made $67,372,092 within 12 days. It closed on February 27, 2000, earning $85,744,662 in North America, and $77,900,000 in other territories. Worldwide, the film made $163,644,662, making it the highest-grossing anime film in the United States and the fourth highest-grossing animated film based on a television show worldwide.[12] It was also the highest-grossing film based on a video game at the time, until 2001's Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.[13]

HD Remaster

The movie was Digitally Remastered for High Definition and aired by TV Tokyo on May 3, 2013. It will also be aired by other TV stations in Japan.[14][15] It aired on Cartoon Network in the United States on January 4, 2014.[16] The HD version came to Blu-ray on Pikachu Movie Premium 1998-2010 Box Set in Japan on November 28, 2012.

Viz Media has announced that a limited edition Blu-ray Steelbook containing the first three Pokémon films will be released on February 9, 2016, along with single releases on DVD.

Soundtrack

Pokémon: The First Movie Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture

Pokémon: The First Movie Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture
File:Pokémon The First Movie.jpg
Soundtrack album by Various artists
Released November 10, 1999
Recorded Various times
Genre Pop, film soundtrack
Length 64:47
Label Atlantic
Producer Garry Hughes, Kaj Robole, Kenneth M. Lewis, Jimmy Bralower, Ron Fair, Neil Jason, Rhett Lawrence, Guy Roche, Eric Foster White, Blessid Union of Souls, Josh Deutsch, Emosia, John Loeffler, 98 Degrees, Todd Chapman, Craig Kallman, Steven Nikolas, Peter Zizzo, Brendon Sibley, Brian Steckler, Harvey Mason Jr., Gary Carolla, Darren Higman
Various artists chronology
Pokémon 2.B.A. Master
(1999)Pokémon 2.B.A. Master1999
Pokémon: The First Movie
(1999)
Pokémon World
(2000)Pokémon World2000
Singles from Pokémon: The First Movie
  1. "Don't Say You Love Me"
    Released: October 1999
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 3/5 stars[17]
Entertainment Weekly C+[18]

Pokémon: The First Movie Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture is the soundtrack to the first Pokémon film in the United States of America, It was released on November 10, 1999, on Compact Disc and Compact Cassette. Some of the songs were featured in the animated short Pikachu's Vacation, and some songs did not feature in either the short or the movie at all. The CD contains extra features, such as Pokémon videos and a screensaver. When it was released it included a promotion for one to send a Proof of Purchase to receive an exclusive promo Jigglypuff card from the Pokémon TCG that lasted for a few months. Don't Say You Love Me by M2M was released as a single from the album.[19]

No. Title Performed by Length
1. "Pokémon Theme 2" ([1]) Billy Crawford 3:22
2. "Don't Say You Love Me" ([2]) M2M 3:46
3. "It Was You" ([3]) Ashley Ballard with So Plush 4:18
4. "We're a Miracle" ([2]) Christina Aguilera 4:12
5. "Soda Pop" ([3]) Britney Spears 3:23
6. "Somewhere, Someday" ([3]) *NSYNC 4:07
7. "Get Happy" ([3]) B*Witched 3:06
8. "(Hey You) Free Up Your Mind" ([2]) Emma Bunton with P featuring k. (bass) 3:24
9. "Fly with Me" ([3]) 98° 3:52
10. "Lullaby" ([3]) Mandah 4:00
11. "Vacation" ([4]) Vitamin C 3:20
12. "Makin' My Way (Any Way That I Can)" ([3]) Billie Piper 4:25
13. "Catch Me If You Can" ([4]) Angela Via 3:28
14. "(Have Some) Fun with the Funk" ([3]) Aaron Carter 3:34
15. "If Only Tears Could Bring You Back" ([2]) Midnight Sons 4:03
16. "Brother My Brother" ([1]) Blessid Union of Souls 3:49
Denotes
  • 1^ These tracks were featured in the actual film.
  • 2^ These tracks were featured in the end credits.
  • 3^ These tracks were not in the movie or the short at all.
  • 4^ These tracks were not in the movie itself, but were part of Pikachu's Vacation.

Charts

Chart (1999) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[20] 9
Austrian Albums Chart[21] 8
French Albums Chart[22] 2
Canadian Albums Chart[23] 10
Finnish Albums Chart[24] 17
New Zealand Albums Chart[25] 18
Swedish Albums Chart[26] 14
Swiss Albums Chart[27] 65
U.S. Billboard 200[23] 8
U.S. Billboard Top Internet Albums[23] 15

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[28] 2× Platinum 140,000
Canada (Music Canada)[29] 2× Platinum 200,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[30] Gold 100,000
United States (RIAA)[31] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

^shipments figures based on certification alone

Pokémon: The First Movie Original Motion Picture Score

Pokémon: The First Movie Original Motion Picture Score
File:Pokémon The First Movie Original Motion Picture Score.jpg
Soundtrack album by Various artists
Released May 9, 2000
Genre Film score
Length 46:12
Label Koch Records
Producer John Loeffler
Various artists chronology
Pokémon World
(2000)Pokémon World2000
Pokémon: The First Movie Original Motion Picture Score
(2000)
Pokémon: The Movie 2000 Soundtrack
(2000)Pokémon: The Movie 2000 Soundtrack2000

Alongside this soundtrack, the orchestral score from the movie was also released on the CD Pokémon: The First Movie Original Motion Picture Score.

  1. "The Birth of Mewtwo"
  2. "Dragonite Takes Flight"
  3. "Invitation to Danger"
  4. "Surviving the Storm"
  5. "Mewtwo's Island"
  6. "Pokémon Vs. Clone"
  7. "Tears of Life"
  8. "This Is My World Now"
  9. "Three on Three"
  10. "Mew's Theme"
  11. "Freeing Charizard"
  12. "Adventure in Paradise"
  13. "All Good Things Must End"


Sound Picture Box: The Birth of Mewtwo

Sound Picture Box: The Birth of Mewtwo (サウンドピクチャーボックス ミュウツーの誕生 Saundopikuchābokkusu myuutsū no tanjō?) consists of two discs. The first disc contains episodes of the Japanese radio serial The Birth of Mewtwo (ミュウツーの誕生?), released only in Japan and later adapted into The Story of Mewtwo's Origin. The second disc contains full score of the original Japanese release of the film in addition to two theme songs sung in Japanese.

Disc one
  1. "Episode 1: The Phantom 'Mew'" (第1話 幻の「ミュウ」?)
  2. "Episode 2: The Birth of Mewtwo" (第2話 ミュウツーの誕生?)
  3. "Episode 3: Mewtwo and Ai" (第3話 ミュウツーとアイ?)
    Also titled "Mewtwo and Amber"
  4. "Episode 4: The World's Strongest Pokémon" (第4話 世界最強のポケモン?)
  5. "Episode 5: Mewtwo Strikes Back" (第5話 ミュウツーの逆襲?)
Disc two
  1. "The Phantom 'Mew'" (幻の「ミュウ」?)
  2. "The Awakening of Mewtwo" (ミュウツーの目覚め?)
  3. "The Strong Mewtwo" (強者ミュウツー?)
  4. "Beginning to Strike Back" (逆襲のはじまり?)
  5. "Aim to Be the Pokémon Master '98" (opening theme) (めざせポケモンマスター'98 (オープニング主題歌) Mezase pokemonmasutā?)
    Re-recording of the Japanese opening theme of Pokémon: Indigo League
    Lyrics by Shōgo Toda (戸田昭吾), composed by Hirokazu Tanaka, arranged by Chell Watanabe (渡部チェル), sung by Rica Matsumoto
  6. "Pikachu Not Giving Up" (ピカチュウあきらめないニャ?)
  7. "Flying Kairyu" (FLYINGカイリュー?)
    Also titled "Flying Dragonite"
  8. "Messenger" (メッセンジャー?)
  9. "Sign of the Storm" (嵐の予兆?)
  10. "Departing for the Pokémon Castle!" (ポケモン城へ出発!?)
  11. "A Stormy Sea" (嵐の海を?)
  12. "Pokémon Castle" (ポケモン城?)
  13. "The Shadow Haunting Team Rocket" (ロケット団につきまとう影?)
  14. "Mewtwo Appears" (ミュウツー登場?)
  15. "Cloned Pokémon Awaken!" (コピーポケモン目覚める!?)
  16. "Showdown! Real vs. Cloned Pokémon" (対決! 本物対コピーポケモン?)
  17. "Flight of the Poké Balls" (乱れ飛ぶモンスターボール?)
  18. "Watch Out! Pikachu!" (危うし! ピカチュウ!?)
  19. "Satoshi's Will to Battle" (サトシ戦いの決意?)
  20. "Real vs. Cloned! Which Is Stronger?!" (本物とコピー! 強いのはどっちだ!?)
  21. "The Meaning of Life" (命あるもの?)
  22. "Tears of Miracle" (奇跡の涙?)
  23. "Sky of Hope" (希望の空へ?)
  24. "The Storm Clears" (晴れゆく嵐?)
  25. "Together with the Wind" (ending theme) (風といっしょに(エンディング主題歌) Kaze to issho ni?)
    Lyrics by Shōgo Toda (戸田昭吾), composed by Hirokazu Tanaka, arranged by Tanaka and Kan Sawada

References

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  4. 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. Pokémon: The First Movie DVD Audio Commentary
  6. "Animerica Interview Toshihiro Ono." at the Wayback Machine (archived May 10, 2000) VIZ Media. May 10, 2000. Retrieved on May 31, 2009.
  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  10. Butters, Patrick. "Lame Script, Wooden Characters Make Pokémon a Joke, Man; The Washington Times. November 10, 1999. pg 5.
  11. Michael Wood, "Cinema: Okay Pokey; Go2," Coventry Evening Telegraph (England) April 14, 2000.
  12. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  17. allmusic review
  18. EW review
  19. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. australian-charts.com - Soundtrack - Pokémon - The First Movie, australian-charts.com
  21. Soundtrack - Pokémon - The First Movie, austriancharts.at
  22. Soundtrack - Pokémon - The First Movie, lescharts.com
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 Pokémon: The First Movie > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums, allmusic
  24. Soundtrack - Pokémon - The First Movie, finnishcharts.com
  25. Soundtrack - Pokémon - The First Movie, charts.org.nz
  26. Soundtrack - Pokémon - The First Movie, swedishcharts.com
  27. Soundtrack - Pokémon - The First Movie, hitparade.ch
  28. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter Pokémon - The First Movie in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
  31. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH

External links