Line #26 YMMV/PokemonTheFirstMovie


1	* AlternateAesopInterpretation: The dub's anti-violence Aesop [[CluelessAesop doesn't make sense in a franchise that revolves around battling]], but works a lot better when viewed as about the distinction between safe, voluntary, properly regulated fighting and the brutal fights to the death that Mewtwo is forcing on the Pokémon. Emphasized by the line "Pokémon aren't meant to fight... not like this!"
2	* {{Anvilicious}}: Whether the film's aesop is "all life is equal" (Japanese version) or "killing/fighting (to the death) is wrong!" (English version), there's a scene with all the characters preaching about it from the sidelines. It also manages to completely overshadow the much subtler and more fitting secondary message about how one's choices matter more than one's origins, which nonetheless follows more naturally from the Japanese moral.
3	* AudienceColoringAdaptation: Everything fans and non-fans think about Mewtwo (from its brooding, misanthropic personality, to its origin as a Team Rocket-created bioweapon) stems from this movie's depiction of it. Not bad for what was, in ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'', just a weird Pokémon squatting in an endgame cave with no defined personality and little backstory aside from an ApocalypticLog. It even crept into other ''Pokémon'' media: ''Manga/PokemonAdventures'' has Mewtwo's portrayal directly inspired by this movie, ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' [[spoiler:is a StealthSequel featuring the same character]], and ''VideoGame/PokemonUltraSunAndUltraMoon'' [[spoiler:gives Giovanni a Mewtwo on his team]].
4	* SugarWiki/AwesomeAnimation: The animation remains quite impressive, especially when compared to the original seasons of the anime. Especially worthy of note are New Island and the battles that take place on it throughout the entire climax.
5	* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: The movie's Japanese ending theme, "Kaze To Issho Ni" (lit. "Together with the Wind") is a beautifully haunting ballad about growing up and striving toward your dream.
6	* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: "Pikachu's Vacation" has several surreal cutaways (mostly scene transitions) to things involving other Pokémon.
7	* BrokenBase:
8	** The moral message. The movie's central theme — "Fighting is wrong, and we should all learn to live in harmony" — has been both praised and criticized. Some fans appreciate the movie's attempt to convey a pacifist message in a franchise centered around battles, while others argue that the message is hypocritical and poorly executed given the inherent nature of Pokémon battles. Part of it is that the pacifist message was entirely tacked on to the English dub of the film -- the Japanese version only had the "all life, regardless of origin, is valuable" moral that Mewtwo delivers at the end.
9	** Near the end of the movie, Ash gets turned to stone after being caught in the crossfire between Mewtwo and Mew's psychic attacks. He is then revived by the tears of the Pokémon present, which are said to have healing powers. Many fans find this scene touching and powerful, while others see it as a contrived way to bring Ash back to life and criticize it as a DeusExMachina.
10	* CantUnHearIt:
11	** If you watch the Japanese version, try not to hear Masachika Ichimura as Mewtwo. Lots of fans had trouble adjusting to Reiko Takashima's performance as [[Anime/PokemonGenesectAndTheLegendAwakened M16's "female personality" Mewtwo]] for this reason, with Dogasu[[note]]owner of the website Dogasu's Backpack[[/note]] noting that he kept lapsing into reading [[FanNickname Newtwo]]'s dialogue in Ichimura's voice when going through the M16 manga adaptation. It also helps that the very popular ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' version of Mewtwo was originally voiced by Ichimura, while his later replacement Creator/KeijiFujiwara was clearly inspired by his portrayal.
12	** For the English version, this can either be subverted or played straight depending on your point of view, in that both Philip Bartlett and Creator/DanGreen (who took over the role in ''[[Anime/PokemonMewtwoReturns Mewtwo Returns]]'') seem to be equally well-remembered as Mewtwo's voice. Eventually, the latter overtook the former as he reprised Mewtwo in [[Anime/MewtwoStrikesBackEvolution this movie's remake]].
13	* CreepyAwesome: Mewtwo, especially in the Japanese original where it's essentially a PsychopathicManchild who's toying with everyone just to stoke its ego.
14	* CriticalDissonance:
15	** Did poorly with critics, but ended up being the highest grossing anime film released in the United States. Modern ''Pokémon'' fans also have a somewhat higher opinion of the movie, where it is considered polarizing instead of universally bad. The dissonance became more apparent with the release of ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'', where many critics claimed it did right what this movie did wrong, not realizing the connections between them that fans easily saw.
16	** The Japanese version is usually considered outright good, with the biggest point of contention being that the dub changed much of the point of the film, as [[http://dogasu.bulbagarden.net/comparisons/movies/mov01.html Dogasu]] puts it in his side-by-side comparison of both versions. As such, the TruerToTheText English dub of ''Anime/MewtwoStrikesBackEvolution'' got a lot of praise for keeping characters' intended personalities and morals.
17	--->''I mean, I look at what all those film critics say about the movie back then and am shaking my head because, while they do have some valid complaints here and there, a large majority of the faults they find with the movie aren't there in the original version of the film. "You didn't see the ''real'' movie!" I think to myself. "You saw the [=4Kids=] ''Manga/OnePiece'' dub of the ''Pokémon'' franchise."''
18	* DracoInLeatherPants: Yes, Mewtwo is [[JerkassWoobie incredibly tragic]] and yes, it [[HeelFaceTurn learns the error of its ways]] in the end. But some fans take this too far and use it to excuse its blatantly twisted and hypocritical actions throughout most of the movie.
19	* EvilIsCool: It's often agreed that Mewtwo is the best antagonist of all the ''Pokémon'' movies, with its immense power, baritone, cool design, being an actual villainous Pokémon and having [[FinalSolution darker objectives]] compared to the other movie villains.
20	* FanficFuel: Exactly how Mewtwo kidnapped Nurse Joy is left unexplained. Did it find her himself, hypnotize her and take her back to its island? Did Mewtwo have a different Pokémon abduct her and then hypnotize her? Where did it get her new outfit from?
21	* FirstInstallmentWins:
22	** Most people know there were at least two anime movies, but most people (at least outside of Japan) don't know that there are over ''twenty'' anime movies and counting.
23	** The movie's version of Mewtwo is by far the most remembered iteration of the character to date. In its appearances in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' games, its overall portrayal is based on this specific one. Mewtwo is also considered by many to be the best movie villain in the series, with a sympathetic backstory, strong presence, memorable character, and [[EvilIsCool many cool and badass elements]]. Many of the later ones fall short in one area or another; be they more "antagonist" than "villain", lacking an understandable backstory or motive beyond "[[GenericDoomsdayVillain I'm the villain]]", [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks recycling from a past villain]] (especially notable if they have a CoolAirship like ''Anime/Pokemon2000''[='=]s villain), [[FlatCharacter or being as interesting as styrofoam]].
24	* FranchiseOriginalSin:
25	** Though it's rather downplayed (and excised completely in the English dub), Mewtwo is NotEvilJustMisunderstood, and merely seeking a purpose in life (if going about it in completely the wrong way). Later ''Pokémon'' films with actual sinister-looking Pokémon as the (apparent or actual) BigBad would go overboard with this trope, to the point where such a Pokémon either not being evil or making a HeelFaceTurn is a common and tired cliché they share.
26	** Mewtwo is the first in a long line of legendary or mythical Pokémon movie stars that would have the ability to telepathically speak human language. The concept is definitely a novelty here in this first theatrical outing, it makes perfect sense for Mewtwo, the proclaimed "most powerful" psychic Pokémon, to have such an ability, and is one of the attributes that makes it stand out all the more. The concept would, unfortunately, go on to become the single-most overused in the entire movie franchise, with the overwhelming majority of these films having at least one or more of their legendaries being able to communicate in the same way for seemingly no other reason than for plot convenience. In some of these cases, the talking legendary is not even a Psychic-type, making their having the ability that much more of an AssPull.
27	* GrowingTheBeard: Specifically in Japanese, as the movie was one of the first ''Pokémon'' products to implement complex ideas and themes that would give older viewers something to appreciate and think about, only beaten out by some early manga or the occasional in-game moment that touched on these, with the wider appeal of the anime leaving a heavier impact. While the English dub was much more simplistic, it at least kept the dark tone of the original, and many people still regard it as a step up from the regular episodes.
28	* HeartwarmingInHindsight: Fergus's comment about Gyarados being one of the most dependable Pokémon there is after getting over its high training curve. A small throwaway line in the context of the movie, but one that would nicely foreshadows Misty's character arc years later. At the time of the movie, the twerps' last encounter with Gyarados ended with them caught in its vicious storm, but Misty would eventually train a Gyarados of her own after getting over her fear of it in "Cerulean Blues", and indeed, it would become her most dependable fighter.
29	* HilariousInHindsight: The gag with Team Rocket dressing as vikings, given that ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'' would give Meowth a Viking-based regional form.
30	* ItWasHisSled: Ash turns to stone and gets revived with Pokémon tears.
31	* JerkassWoobie: Mewtwo; while there's no denying that it's a dick, it had an incredibly tragic life up to the point where it vowed revenge on humanity. Even more so in the Japanese dub, where it just wants to prove itself worthy of its own existence.
32	* {{Macekre}}: The English dub of the movie was met with a lot of flak due to the changes that 4Kids made to the movie that heavily toned down the complexity and existential themes of the Japanese version and turned it into a generic kids' film. From changing Mewtwo into an all-out bad guy instead of a morally ambiguous one, to changing the message of the movie even though near the end a piece of dialogue from Mewtwo shows that they didn't need to, and shortening Mewtwo's backstory and making it difficult for fans and newcomers to follow the plot. While the later films are more faithful to the Japanese versions and tone down the changes, this was still a big loss for the film since it is one of the most complex and emotionally impacting films of the ''Pokémon'' movie series that had most of its potential go down the drain for non-Japanese audiences thanks to the ExecutiveMeddling from a dubbing company that tried to make the movie more marketable to kids even though the Japanese version was intended to be for both kids and adults.
33	* MagnificentBastard: [[Characters/PokemonMewDuo Mewtwo]] is the clone of the Mythical Pokémon Mew and a confused being wondering why it's alive. Enraged at its seemingly pointless existence, Mewtwo vows revenge against humanity. Constructing the Pokémon Palace on New Island, Mewtwo brainwashes a Nurse Joy to serve as a proxy and issues invitations to the palace proclaiming to be the world's greatest trainer. Mewtwo then creates a hurricane around the island to weed out only the strongest and bravest trainers. With those that he wants at the island, Mewtwo battles them with his own clone Pokémon and steals their Pokémon with special Poké Balls. When Ash frees the originals as Mew arrives on the island, Mewtwo challenges Mew to battle with its army of clones against the originals. As the battle ends with Ash petrified, Mewtwo watches in amazement as both clones and original cry over him, and leaves with the clones to find a place for them to belong while erasing the memories of everyone involved.
34	* {{Narm}}:
35	** During the sad scene where all of the Pokémon are crying over Ash's petrified body, the Dewgong start making sounds that are downright ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGH9qvStuaM hilarious]]'', especially in the Japanese version. MoodWhiplash at its finest.
36	** Misty's response to Mewtwo's evil plan? "You're just a bully!"
37	* NarmCharm: Similar to ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie'', a lot of people enjoy the English dub due to nostalgia, the pop soundtrack, and Mewtwo's badassery as a villain, despite everyone acknowledging that the movie isn't one of the best around (as evidenced by its very, ''very'' low Website/RottenTomatoes rating).
38	* OneSceneWonder: The Blastoise in this movie is voiced by popular seiyuu Creator/TesshoGenda in the Japanese version. "[[PokemonSpeak KAMEEEE~]]!"
39	%%* SignatureScene: Ash being TakenForGranite after trying to stop Mewtwo and Mew's fight and getting hit with their psychic blasts. Zero-Context Example - Why is it famous?
40	* SlowPacedBeginning: The original theatrical and VHS releases of the movie play ''Pikachu's Vacation'' first -- so viewers would have to endure a saccharine, completely irrelevant 30-minute piece of fluff before the real movie can begin and [[MoodWhiplash we see Mewtwo slaughter its creators in cold blood]].
41	* SpecialEffectFailure: The aforementioned [[TwoDVisualsThreeDEffects CGI doors]] that [[GeorgeLucasAlteredVersion replaced]] the original hand drawn doors for the home video and international release. Particularly the part where the doors close behind Ash, Misty and Brock, with them being poorly composited in front of them. It's jarring to say the least. Some of the CGI clouds can also come off as this, though to a lesser extent.
42	* SubbingVersusDubbing: The dub is far more well-known in the Western fandom, and quite a few fans even ignore that the Japanese version exists. Despite this, people who can find the Japanese version tend to prefer it (thanks, Shudo). ''Anime/MewtwoStrikesBackEvolution'' reconciled both sides with its TruerToTheText dub, bringing Shudo's intended version of the film to a wider audience.
43	* TearDryer: Ash has [[TakenForGranite turned to stone]] after taking an attack from Mewtwo and Mew. Pikachu [[PleaseWakeUp tries in vain to wake him up]] and begins to weep over him, [[EverybodyCries as does everyone else]]. However, [[SwissArmyTears this brings him back to normal]] and Pikachu gives him a big hug.
44	* TookTheBadFilmSeriously: While the English dub of the movie has gotten flak due to the changes of the story and Mewtwo's characterization, one of the few well received things about it was Philip Bartlett's performance as Mewtwo, and it's debated whether him or Dan Green is the better voice for the character. The rest of the voice cast of the dub is good too since they all seem to be well invested in their roles and are trying their best with the takes, even if a few deliveries sounded a bit forced at times.
45	* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: The English dub's soundtrack is a nice little time capsule of late 90s bubblegum pop.
46	* VindicatedByHistory: The movie used to be on the Website/IMDb Bottom 100 when it debuted, but now sits at an average rating ([[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0190641/ratings 6.3/10 from over 42000 votes]]). Most of the votes were initially from disgruntled adults taking their kids to see the movie, but they later became dominated by grown Pokéfans. Easier (but not outright "easy") access to the original Japanese version of the movie also helped, as it motivated quite a few ''Pokémon'' fans who aren't too fond of [=4Kids'=] dub to [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180827005301/http://youchew.net/index.php?/articles/mediareviews/why-39pok%C3%A9mon-mewtwo-strikes-back39-is-much-better-than-we-thought-r491/ revisit the movie]] and develop a more positive opinion, along with the 2019 CGI remake finally letting fans watch what is essentially that version in English.
47	* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: Many fans unfamiliar with the Japanese version tend to be rather surprised at the "meaning of life" themes, Mewtwo's greater complexity as a character, and the occasional mentions of {{God}} (replaced with the more secular "nature" in the remake's English dub) in relation to said themes. Which becomes HilariousInHindsight when you realize that ever since ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'', there actually ''is'' a known God in the Pokémon world. This is also the reason why 4Kids made changes to the movie's aesop and Mewtwo's characterization since existential themes are usually very complex topics for kids that they would likely find it too confusing and possibly even uninteresting.

Context YMMV / PokemonTheFirstMovie