Pokemon the First Movie - Mewtwo vs. Mew (1999)
Average Rating: 3.6/10
Reviews Counted: 79
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 68
Audiences other than children will find very little to entertain them.
Average Rating: 3.7/10
Critic Reviews: 25
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 22
Audiences other than children will find very little to entertain them.
liked it
Average Rating: 2.9/5
User Ratings: 66,207
My Rating
Movie Info
The internationally popular toy, comic book, and video game characters who stormed the big screen in the surprise hit Pokemon: The First Movie are back in this Japanese anime feature. Lawrence III, who collects the elusive creatures known as Pokemon, will become the greatest Pokemon trainer on Earth if he can capture and tame Lugia, a huge Pokemon of the sea. Lugia's powers are so great that they could destroy the world if they fell into the wrong hands, so lead trainer Ash and his friends must
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All Critics (79) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (69) | DVD (13)
The story is a humourless retread of a Bond-style world domination yarn with a Frankenstein theme.
Top CriticThe repetitive plot is essentially a string of excuses for fantastical combat sequences, but somehow several characters' insistence that violence is bad doesn't come off as hypocritical.
The wisdom of putting bad experiences behind us never rang more true than after viewing this movie. Avoiding it though, may be impossible, so be prepared.
A shameless plug for Pokemon merchandise? You betcha.
The Japanese animation is beautiful, and the script adaptation for the English-speaking audience is well-paced, clever, and absorbing enough to keep parents from squirming.
With intentionally stilted animation, uninspired music and lame jokes, Pokemon is basically an ultralong version of the phenomenon's own boring TV 'toon.
Excruciating to endure.
It would be nice to think that 'the kids' would take on board the heavy-handed moral messages, but more likely they'll be looking out for new Pokémon to collect, therefore fulfilling Nintendo's merchandising dream.
If you're over 10 years old I have four words for you: See Princess Mononoke instead.
For Pokemon fans? Give it a shot.
In the tradition of such drivel as 'The Care Bears Movie' and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,' it's essentially a commercial disguised as a feature film.
Abysmally bad.
The kids in the audience at my showing were certainly enthralled, and I only fell asleep twice.
The movie may have been designed to shift Pokémon product but it also comes down hard on the side of friendship, mutual respect and resourcefulness.
Unfortunately, dear grown-ups, no end to the Pokémon invasion seems imminent.
With its undertones of slavery and cockfighting, Pokémon" may have the most unsavory premise ever for children's entertainment.
The film is baffling, amateur and somewhat contradictory about violence.
Probably too verbose to significantly influence the target audience.
Would it have been too much to ask for just a tiny bit of interest for the grown-ups?
If you don't mind plunking your kids down in front of a 90-minute commerical, go nuts.
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Foreign Titles
- Pokemon: The Movie 2000 (DE)
- Pokemon The Movie 2000 (UK)
