From way back during it’s inception, to recent times, there have been anime that have been especially made for the younger audience. Shonen anime for boys, and Shojo anime for girls, these are the kinds of genres that have helped define our early experiences. But what about those shows that are meant for one group, but somehow manages to straddle the line for both? Such is the case with the world-wide phenomenon known simply as Pokemon.
Yes everybody, Pokemon. I’m sure that some of the older parents that saw the name are shaking their heads at the sight of the name. For anyone younger that maybe 13 reading this, let me just tell you that back in the Mid-to-Late 90s, Pokemon was everywhere! Books, trading cards, the tv show, you name it! It was everywhere, and you almost couldn’t escape it. The popularity grew so much, that it was only a matter of time before Pokemon made it’s way to the silver screen. Today’s review looks at the first movie of this series. A childhood classic from my generation, it helped many of us onto the road known only as Anime. So grab your Meowth plushie, find your trading cards, and plop into the chair for a look at a review for Pokemon the First Movie. Gotta catch em all!
Story/Setup
Ash & his friends, along with some other Pokemon trainers, are invited to the mysterious New Island by the so-called “Greatest Pokémon Master” for a party. As they arrive at the docks, a sudden & brutal storm forms, deterring all but the toughest of the trainers. When the trainer arrive at the island, they find that the “Greatest Pokémon Master” is none other that Mewtwo, a genetically-engineered pokémon who desires vengeance against humanity for the pains of the past. During his plans, Mew, the beings who’s base DNA was used for Mewtwo’s creation, appears to defuse the situation. During this entire debacle, Team Rocket is wandering around, trying to make sense out of the chaos, while providing some much needed comedic relief.
If it looks like the story above is a little streamlined & thinned-out.....well, that’s because it is! The American version of the movie had a little bit of content trimmed off because some thought that said removed content would be “Too dark” for some young people. Don’t get me wrong, because even with the content taken out, you still have a good story. The problem in doing so makes the movie more simplistic (In a bad way), and not quite have as much punch or depth. This movie will still entertain, but by the end you may be scratching your head, asking yourself “Was that it?”
Animation
You can immediately tell the difference between this movie, and the show. With the original TV series, there’s always been this mild grainy look & feel to it, giving it a dated aura. With the movie, there’s a smooth quality to it. Characters move more fluidly that the show, and the backgrounds are some of the best that’s ever been produced for the medium. Even the special effects look fantastic, and overall the whole movie looks great! Sure, there’s some dated looking moments, but for the most part Pokemon the First Movie still is a gorgeous feature.
Voice Acting
This was back during what I considered the “Golden Age” of the Pokemon series. All of the original voice actors are back, lending their work to the characters that brought joy to kids around the world. The effort put in was essentially that of what they put into the original tv series. I don’t know if it was just me hearing things differently, but I could have sworn things sounded smoother. Maybe it was because of the recording, or maybe it was because of the voice actors themselves, but everybody in here had a slightly silkier quality to their voice.
Of particular note was Mewtwo. Voiced by Jay Philip Goede (Credited under the name Philip Bartlett), his voice comes across as very operatic & stage-worthy. This is rather appropriate, as Mr. Goede’s prior experiences included work on Broadway, and is a well-trained actor. This voice helps develop the English variation of the character. Speaking of character.....
Characters
Pokemon the First Movie’s cast of characters are rather 50/50. On the one hand, you have the returning cast. Ash, Brock, and Misty are pretty much how you remember them from the show. Their goals are still the same, their personalities are intact, and they’re just as likable (Or unlikable) as they were in the show. Team Rocket are something a little different this time around. At first they’re up to their usual antics, but when they get to Mewtwo’s island, they take on more of lovable oafs, enough to the point where you actually kind of feel sorry for them when their lives are threatened. On the other hand, there are plenty of secondary characters that really don’t add anything. Sure, there are a few more trainers that Ash & the gang meet once they arrive at the island, but they’re really there just to give Mewtwo some ammo. Even the port authority woman that tells the trainers about the storm & what’s going on, is really there just to provide exposition.
As for Mewtwo, he’s a good villain, despite how basic his goals are. He’s absolutely heartless, colder than the norther glaciers, and has the power to back it up. Like I said above in the “Voice Acting” section above, Jay Philip Goede, he provides a voice for the character that’s dry & sinister, yet provides room for more louder & rage-filled moments. Complete with a condescending tone, and you have one Pokemon villain that’s remained quite memorable.
Mew is something of a wild card in this movie. There are plenty of times where he’s jokey, trying to have fun, and is very kindhearted. When the action heats up, however, much of that lightheartedness is put aside, and a tougher side of Mew appears. He can fight with the best of them, but still knows that peace & cooperation are routes to consider. The flighty nature of Mew might be confusing at first, but his motivations & character become more fleshed out by the end of the feature. His lighthearted nature towards the beginning will get girls to like him, but when he throws down against Mewtwo, the boys will definitely enjoy things.
Availability & Pricing
Oh boy, good luck finding this one!
Considering that this was released on DVD almost 2 decades ago (1999/2000, if I’m correct), sources will be rare to say the least, much less a copy. Your only reliable source in this case will be Amazon: a new copy will start out at a horrific 76 dollars, and goes all the way to an even more horrifying 125 dollars! Used copies are far more reasonable, as they start at a reasonable 23 dollars, and go all the way up to 69/70 dollars. Used is the best way to go in this regard. If you have a horde of cash, and want to spend it, then maybe new is the choice for you.
In 2009, there was a re-release of the movie (In a collection that included the 2nd & 3rd movie), but that’s become even more rare. At this time, there are only 5 used copies on Amazon that are available for purchase. Pricing starts at 116 dollars, and goes all the way to the pants-wetting 4,112 dollars! Only go this route if you’re incredibly rich!
Overall Impression & Rating
Pokemon the First Movie is one of those movies that could only come out at the height of Pokemon’s popularity. If it was released around now, it would have been laughed at by anime fans, whether they liked Pokemon or not. It certainly was berated by movie critics when it first came out, and it definitely hasn’t necessarily aged well over time. The dated music screams late 90s & early 2000s, and the message is definitely hokey, but it must have done something right. Every once in a while, I hear this movie being talked about at cons, and even amongst my Pokemon-loving friends & acquaintances, I hear a little whispering from time to time. It may be a relic, but Pokemon the First Movie seems to be a beloved relic at that!
Pokemon the First Movie gets a 7.5 out of 10.
So this was a review of kids anime from my generation. See you all next time, when I’ll look at a kids anime from the older generation. Until then, may the warm memories of the past come back to lighten up your day!
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For a more detailed account of the movie’s story & background, click on the link below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon:_The_First_Movie
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