Pokémon: Mewtwo Contra-Ataca: Evolução

In 1998, for reasons that may be better left unknown, Gus van Sant released upon humanity his parvum opus "Psycho". One of the many questions pondered was "why?", as in why would you release a remake shot-to-shot, identical to the original?

The first Pokémon movie is far from being a landmark of cinema and the arts as a whole like Hitchcock's "Psycho", but it has its place among fans, and is still one of the most popular Japanese anime films outside Japan, if not the first. The Western release unfortunately was handled by 4Kids, infamous for their "americanization". This can be mild such as changing character and location names, understandable like removing substance use, questionable as in changing food, and infuriating when they decide to change the plot.

And oh boy, they changed the plot. The three most egregious are Mewtwo's characterization, Mew's motivations, and how human characters react to the copies vs originals fights. In the original, Mewtwo had a philosophical crisis about who he was, what was he purpose, and if his existance and life had the same meaning as natural beings. They changed him to this unidimensional villain bent on evil, because it would be simpler for young children to understand and, in contrast, sympathize with Ash. Mew is painted as this messianic savior, appearing out of the blue to fight against Mewtwo and saying that "real strength comes from the heart", while the original Japanese was pretty much "copies aren't deserve of living, and must be wiped out".

Both parties were to fight to the bitter end. The human characters realize this is pointless: they are all living beings, worthy of being here and all that. Then, 4Kids used "American Beam", and suddenly characters are shouting that fight is bad. Very contradictory with the whole Pokémon media being based on fights.

Lastly, I never understood as a kid why would a bunch of tears can revive someone. This was actually covered in a prologue released along the first film that covers Mewtwo "infancy". It also covers the scientists motivations behind the cloning, why Giovanni was involved, why Mewtwo decided to create his first clones as the final forms of the Kanto starters, and also explains that tears carry lifeforce. Granted, this prologue wasn't part of the original movie, but since is part of it and actually fills plot holes of the original, they could easily included it.

Plotwise, I would like to include that Mewtwo is said to be the "greatest trainer". But in a Venusaur mirror match, he commands his to use Leaf Storm. The greatest trainer is using a 4x resisted move, which also drops the Special Attack. And somehow, he wins. Guess his clones were that overleveled.

"Where am I? What am I? Who am I?". Existential conundrums that plague Mewtwo's, the most powerful Pokémon in existence (at that time...), telepathic mind. Facing an identity crisis as he produces copies of beloved Pokémon in an attempt to create a superior race unbounded by the restraints of human training. No Pokéball prison. A cruel irony that was beset upon Yuyama, the director of the original and, on a personal note, beloved anime feature of the franchise. His return to this similar shot-for-shot CGI remake begs the fundamental question. Why?

The criticism that Favreau's last year's identical remake of 'The Lion King' received can instantly be applied here. Emotionless 3D character models unable to express visible emotive responses, relinquishing all personality that emanated from the hand-drawn animation. Ash, in particular, resembled an empty shell, resulting in the infamous final tear-jerking scene to be nothing more than vacuous void. Due to the personal attachment for the original, Yuyama and his team were constantly at battle with my nostalgia. Slight differences in the script and character actions consequently inserted a yearning to watch the original instead. Team Rocket's English dub? No! That is not James! Not my James. My ears were bleeding! The dialogue was surprisingly more basic, feeding every plot detail with excessive explanations that the visual commentary already provided. Having said that, the upgraded animation style levelled up the smaller details. Pokémon models looked exceptional, especially Vulpix, with appropriate scaling and textures. Effects such as weathering and raging waters were some of the best examples within animation.

Objectively speaking, it was beautiful. But why? The argument that this remake will introduce the original story to a new audience is futile, considering the anime style has rarely aged. If anything, it's manipulating nostalgia for some easy yen. Doesn't work for me. Mewtwo should've asked himself "why am I doing this again?"...press B to cancel!

Was this a necessary remake? No. Was it enjoyable? Yes. Did I watch it with a smile on my face? Absolutely.

It stays true to the original Mewtwo Strikes Back from my early childhood, which I remember going to see in the cinema when I was about five. While not really deviating from the original story, there are extra bits that weave in beautifully and pad out the movie a little, giving it a fresh feel. The animation isn't amazing but it isn't bad either. It is what it is. Either way I'm reliving a childhood favourite of mine, and I'd recommend that any Pokemon fans at least give this one watch!

For a "Netflix Original", it sure lacks originality!!

I would have to re-watch the original, but this seems to be an exact copy in plot and content (some Giovanni scenes might differ, from what I remember).

Still, it is visually impressive!! The lightning, effects, camera work.. Even the CGI presentation of the Pokémon is very good! Specifically their textures. Their movement and expressions are also very good. This is the way the Detective Pikachu movie should have looked (instead of those hideous creatures some people actually like). I'm glad it exists for that reason alone. It's a good way to re-live nostalgia (specially when it's FREE on Netflix and not a cash grab in cinemas).

Not much to say.. If you like the original, you will definitely like this alternate movie with a fresh coat of paint.

Long story short, this is a CGI remake of the first Pokemon movie from late 90's (January 2000 here in Brazil). There is no improvement, in my opinion. The CGI does not impress.

Same old, same old. I'd rather stick to the fond memories the first movie brought me when I first saw it at the movies 20 years ago.