Pokémon, the worldwide phenomenon which began as a hand-held video game and virtually exploded across the globe in every form from trading cards to the number one rated television kids' show on the Kids' WB!, hits the big screen with an exciting adventure about the greatest Pokémon battle yet.
"Pokémon: The First Movie" follows Ash and Pikachu and their pals to a remote island where they are lured into a massive Pokémon battle which will take all their courage and skill. In the ultimate showdown on New Island, the rare and legendary Pokémon Mew must do battle with the bio-engineered Mewtwo, a master trainer and the world's most powerful Pokémon.
Let the match begin! Kids' WB! presents a 4Kids Entertainment Production, the American adaptation of "Pokémon: The First Movie" is written by Norman J. Grossfeld, Michael Haigney and John Touhey with voice direction by Michael Haigney. Norman J. Grossfeld, President of 4Kids Productions, is the Producer. The animated film is directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and produced by Choji Yoshikawa, Tomoyuki Igarashi and Takemoto Mori. The film written by Takeshi Shudo is based on characters created by Satoshi Tajiri. It is distributed by Warner Bros. Family Entertainment, A Time Warner Entertainment Company. A brand new Pokémon, Donphan, makes his debut in "Mewtwo Strikes Back," the episodic feature of "Pokémon: The First Movie."
Additionally, a short called "Pikachu's Vacation," starring Ash's furry pal Pikachu, the most charming and beloved Pokémon of them all, makes its American debut along with the feature-length film. "Pikachu's Vacation" introduces two new Pokémon, Snub Bull and Marill.
A group of scientists have been working in a secret laboratory, attempting to create the strongest Pokémon yet in existence. For this, they have taken DNA from a fossilized hair sample (discovered in the Amazon) of the legendary Pokémon Mew, using the elusive creature's genetic code to bio-engineer Mewtwo. Unaware of their creation's power, the scientists and their laboratory are destroyed by the awakening Mewtwo. Angered at his creators for making him the Pokémon equivalent of Frankenstein's monster, Mewtwo swears revenge on the world.
Ash Ketchum is relaxing with his pals Misty and Brock when he is challenged to a Pokémon battle by a neophyte trainer. Ash, aided by his favorite and first Pokémon, Pikachu, easily defeats the trainer. A hologram of a beautiful girl appears, inviting the trio to a party held at the palace on New Island, hosted by her master, "the world's greatest Pokémon trainer." They accept the invitation. Meanwhile, Ash's arch rivals, Team Rocket (the duo of Jessie and James and their Pokémon mascot, Meowth), secretly watch the hologram and vow to attend the party as well.
All of the trainers hoping to attend the party gather at the ferry station seeking passage to New Island. A hurricane shuts the ferry service down, but some enterprising trainers (including Ash, Misty and Brock and Team Rocket) use their Pokémon to cross the dangerous waters. Once at the castle, the trainers are shown to a great hall by Joy, the beautiful girl who appeared in their hologram invitation. She introduces the trainers to their host-Mewtwo, a master trainer and the world's most powerful Pokémon, who reveals his plan to hijack the globe with a specially created race of Super-Pokémon.
What follows is the ultimate Pokémon match of all time, ending with a face-off between Mewtwo and the rare and powerful Mew.
