Pokémon : Le Retour de Mewtwo

What I mean by my title summary is that Pokemon: The First Movie was a good movie that was meant for the fans. Still, it was only meant to be seen once. A promising idea for a sequel to the most liked of the horrible movie series(the TV series is half-good, it's the video games that started it all for a reason), in a direct to video release turned out to add another dent to the bashed Pokemon phenomenon, most of the damage coming from the movies. In fact, the newest Pokemon movie(Pokemon 4) and maybe this one has been released by Miramax films, behind the Spy Kids movies, who had already been accused(though it was quickly forgotten) by rumors that they had tried to buy Pokemon movie rights. Kids'WB, owners of the first 3 movies and TV show, seem to look in a selling mood as a card-game, movies and their own TV show are looked over and insulted, with a GameCube game(mostly known as Meowth's Party) shelved, and everyone looking at the new movie and waiting for the new Game Boy Advance games to judge the old phenomenon again.

The direct-to-video approach was probably selected as the effects of a big-screen Pokemon movie wore off on kids, despite their newest attempts in Pokemon 4. Now for the movie. It starts out regularly introducing how Ash and friends, the stars of the show and movies, and their arch-nemesi(or whatever) Team Rocket get caught up in the happenings. Ash and co. miss an important bus and must try to get to another side of a mountain Mewtwo and his clones from the first movie(minus Mew, the pokemon Mewtwo was cloned from, for some reason) are perched on top of(with a TV system and hidden cameras.???). The boss of Team Rocket, who created Mewtwo, is the only one who remembers Mewtwo after the clone erased everyone's mind at the end of First Movie, finds Mewtwo on his satellite system or something and decides to try to catch him, with the help of his own army. Ash and co. wind up trying to climb the mountain because of poor excuses the writers had to come up with to not allow them any other way. Ash, friends and Team Rocket winds up surrounded by clones, with a confused Mewtwo who doesn't know what to do with them. He's opposed against fighting now(a message that worked in the first movie, because Pokemon usually faint, not die, from battling, but now is an excuse to drag on the movie).The TR boss, named Giovanni, moves in and (eventually) traps Mewtwo into giving himself up or sacrificing his clone friends. The whole movie has a message of a life is a life, no matter what origin, a great anti-racism message which is a shame because almost nobody will know about it, this movie being so quietly released most video rental places don't even have it.

With the whole against fighting message added in, probably used in the first movie to try and counter parents fears, makes this a boring, dragging movie that has no big fight at all, though slightly dramatic, though with a predictable ending. Not even good for fans, which at least the longer, better first movie(and that's not saying much) at least achieved. As I said to my friends as we all watched it, so bad it's funny. Not funny-ha-ha, funny you're-so-stupid-and-pathetic, ha-ha.

In order for sequels to be successful, the story that continues the original narrative must be cohesive enough to make sense. For the Pokémon franchise, while the very first theatrical film made bank on its budget, it was largely panned for its contradictive message and characters only fans would understand. Since then the series has turned out a feature every year in between seasons, so it's no surprise the only people who would continue to follow these entries are obviously fans. The first film may have many viewers riding their experience on nostalgia but it can't be said for the two sequels that came after. One made almost no sense while the other stepped it up slightly, but still felt lesser compared to the original. Now, the first direct-to-video release sees the return of the first film's antagonist. It's almost an equal,...sort of.

With pretty much all cast and crew members returning again, there really isn't a change in the quality of the effort put into the production. The only thing that truly matters at this point is the screenplay, which was originally written by Takeshi Shudo and English adaptation by Michael Haigney. Stepping in and taking full control of direction was Masamitsu Hidaka, who before only served as assistant director for the past entries. Ash, Pikachu, Misty, Brock and Team Rocket meet a couple of people along the way at a location called Purity Canyon. It just so happens that Mewtwo and the cloned Pokémon he created have made a home for themselves there. But Ash and company aren't the only ones headed towards Mewtwo's direction. Turns out Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket wants to reclaim Mewtwo as well.

What works in this feature is the story acknowledging what happened in the past and confirming the current status in this entry. Learning that Giovanni did not have his mind wiped after the events of the first film at least explains why he's on the hunt to find and control Mewtwo. Also seeing main characters not reacting to Mewtwo the same way they did in the first film was on point as well. Although it does beg the question why Mewtwo didn't confirm Giovanni had his memory zapped. Guess Mewtwo just assumed Giovanni was killed after he blew up his gym. However, what doesn't work story wise is Mewtwo's internal struggle. At the end of the first film and start of this feature, Mewtwo states he understands his wrongs now knowing it's what you do with life that determines your character. Then he proceeds to exile himself and company from society because he feels they are different.

Why is it that Mewtwo can't make up his mind? It's one thing if he and his clones were living among other Pokémon and then ambushed,...it's another to understand the mistake and then go back on it. What caused the change in comprehension? It's confusing when that happens. That is not to say the performances are not credible though. All returning voice actors do as good a job as they have been doing throughout the series. Dan Green who also voiced Entei in the last feature replaces Jay Goede as the original voice of Mewtwo. Both sound pretty similar and while Green is more recognizable, Goede definitely had a talent for having an imposing voice as well. Again, there's cinematography from Takaya Mizutani but not sure how that's utilized in production of the feature.

Animation on the other hand looks spectacular in this entry. This is the first film to use digital ink and paint coloring instead of the usual traditional animation cel. While classic animation is always great, the digital animation in this feature provide a much sharper and more vibrant image to the world of Pokémon. For the music, much of it is recycle tracks from the first movie composed by Ralph Schuckett and John Loeffler. Which in a sense is appropriate, but because it is a new story, viewers may be expecting some new themes to appear. But that is not the case, which could leave people who find the most entertaining storyline so far disappointed. Reason being is it will only remind the viewers of the scenes the original music belonged to.

The story stays true to last events no problem thanks to the returning crew and cast members for the production. The animation is also very crisp and colorful, now if only the music was more than just recycled and Mewtwo's characterization wasn't so flip floppy.

A new Pokemon movie! Hooray! Now we can find out what's become of Mewtwo & his clones. I loved Mewtwo Strikes Back and this sequel is packed with the same emotion & excitement. We meet a new Team Rocket agent who is just as cool as Jessie & James. I was drawn into the story and was satisfied by the ending. It was good to hear some of the marvellous music from the original too. Keep 'em coming. 10/10

This movie's short, but it's great! I enjoyed watching Ash and co. re-introduce themselves to Mewtwo and bringing back all of the clones! The Pikachu and Meowth clones are great! And Giovanni tries to get Mewtwo back again! What'll happen? Find out for yourselves!

I thought this was a brilliant film, it explains a lot about Mewtwo's departure after the first film. the emphasis is on mewtwo's solitary with the cloned pokemon he lives with, and Giovanni's quest to reclaim mewtwo as his own property.

The film has a deep storyline and is obviously set within the Johto League. This doesn't seem to be in the list of official pokemon films so i can only assume it was a straight to video extra, which is good for any fan of pokemon who wants an explanation of happenings and events after the first movie, even though it is set 2 or 3 seasons later.

I would recommend this film for any pokemon fan, especially great fans of the first film, very well worth a watch!