Summary: Tremendously popular feature film debut follows the zealous struggles of a trainer and his pesky yellow-rodent. Poké-fans rejoice to the film's grandiloquently adorable creatures; demanding fans seeking the prime anime treatment will scowl at the bromide plot/characters/animation. Ages 3 and up.
Title Aka:	Pokémon: The First Movie Mewtew Strikes Back
Company/Distributors:	T.V. Tokyo;NAS;4-Kids Entertainment;Nintendo
Year:	1998
Length:	93 Minutes
Rating:
Genres:	Family, Fantasy, Kids
Format:	Feature Film
Content Level:	Violence: Mild Sex: N/A Nudity: N/A Profanity: N/A
Comments:	N/A

Review: In the much newly traditions of anime commercial releases in the U.S. in the late 90s, it was a pleasant surprise to witness so many new theatrical releases here in the states. "Princess Mononoke", "Perfect Blue" and "X" have all proved to be great films in making anime mainstream a reality. Last year was one of the biggest years for anime in the U.S., the release of Mononoke Hime showed many maintream moviegoers the sheer brilliance of anime cinema; opening doors and setting new standards. The distribution of anime on home video has also shown a great increase since the last few years. But probably none other is arguably more successful than that of, you guessed it!...; "Pokémon". An instant Phenomenon which 'sky-rocketed' into anime history. With series on U.S. television topping the charts, and a plethora of young fans not far behind, it's incredible to imagine the success of the series being so great as it is today. Though not praised to be one of the best series by many fans, none is left without realizing those pesky critters aren't far behind; with hundreds of fans hopping onto the 'band-wagon' each day. With knowing this, fans could do nothing but expect the inevitable. When the major film company of "Warner Bros" bought the rights to the show in 99', fans all over could only expect "4-Kids Entertainment" and "TV Tokyo" would pull-off something which would attain the series even more success than before. Yes, the release of a feature film was set for summer of 99'. The day would come when thousands of fans all over would drag their parents to the nearest 'multi-plex'. After all the card games, video consoles, stuffed toys, video tapes and various merchandise it's incredible to think anything more of this could go on. I as an anime fan sometimes don't like to admit how successful Pokémon really is. Poké-fans everywhere were about to witness the first signs of anime's merge with the maintstream. For some amazing, others mesmerizing, but for this humble reviewer; an utter disappointment. Pokémon: The First Movie, also known as "Mewtwo Strikes Back" is one of the first commercial anime release by a major film studio in 1999. Productions by both 4-Kids Entertainment, TV Tokyo and NAS, the film represents the new wave in anime releases. Like "Princess Mononoke", Pokémon was set for worldwide "theatrical release"; a success which could have surpassed that of the blockbuster equivalency of Princess Mononoke in Japan. But Unlike Princess Mononoke, Pokémon: The First Movie is indeed not charming, technically impressive, or by any means highly entertaining; but instead ends up being (in my opinion) a downright disaster. The film has no motive, destination, quality or point. It conveys none of the qualities which has regarded anime as a respected film medium, more or less has not even taken the aspects of the often lackluster series to good use. The film is a cluster, and array of bad direction and film making. The film is not in any sense a good movie for children, while only over-stimulating and hyping the young audience I feel it's targeted at. The film lacks the wholesome quality of many great anime family films. The many criticisms and complaints which have been speculated against the show I fear will rise to higher grounds after it's release. I found that the main problem with this film is not it's quality or way of presenting itself on-screen, but the whole commercial position of the series up to this point. It has proven utterly disappointing and pointless to produce a feature of this quality. The animation is not even of a decent theatrical quality, lackluster and mediocre; almost to the point when it becomes even painful to watch it. The film itself seems like all the bad qualities of the show combined into one feature. Presenting itself like an extended episode, rather than a feature film. Yes indeed, all the flaws from the show are present, and the spineless, lifeless, often pointless characters to go with it. The presence of "Team Rocket" in the picture seem more annoying than they do well-deserved. "Pikachu" is now not the cute-lovable character, but just seems sad to even observe. I highly doubt the fanatics of the show were impressed by the film's poor execution, and I wonder if they even expected more or better. This however, is covered up by the fact of showing a short mini-feature before the movie: "Pikachu's Vacation", which is a campy 'take-off' of the show's worst aspects. Pokémon is a show for young children, and for young children alone; who are perhaps the only ones that don't realize the fact that there are better things out there. Regardless of the mere fact that they are young and enjoy these types of films anyway, however this does not change my opinion and views on the Pokémon craze. I as a fan can only be certain of one thing, if these kind of films keep being released; we can be sure that the opinions about anime's quality and it's success in the United States will drift off farther and farther away. Click Here To See Overview!

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