Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution (EN) Review

Hello everyone: after much speculation, I now present my full review of Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution! This all-CGI remake of the first Pokémon movie has been a long time coming, and now I finally get a chance to talk about it, so let’s open it up!

For the sake of argument, I will be focusing on the dubbed movie; but I will be addressing differences from the original movie when I see them. So, let’s get this started.

We open on Dr. Fuji (voice of Eddy Lee) during his expedition to find the DNA of Mew, and I must say; this etching of Mew in ancient times already is much fancier than the original movie.

In the lab on New Island, Mewtwo awakens! On top of the lab trading the ‘90s retro future aesthetic for invoking the “Everything is an iPod in the future” motif with the holographic panels, it’s amazing how something as simple as the fluid Mewtwo’s tube was rendered. As you’ll see, the fluid dynamics of this movie are fantastic.

Mewtwo (voice of Dan Green, reprising his role) doesn’t take kindly to what Dr. Fuji has planned, and while there are some new scenes; the movie is fairly faithful to Takeshi Shudo’s original screenplay.

Mewtwo destroys the laboratory, which attracts the attention of Giovanni (voice of Ted Lewis); who is intrigued by Mewtwo’s power. He helps Mewtwo focus its power, and I must say I like the redesigned version of Mewtwo’s armor; definitely gives me an Iron Man vibe during the suit-up sequence.

Of course, they still don’t show more of Gary besides the back of his head; and I still like that joke the writers made about his agent making too many demands for him to be in there. So, not a stretch for him.

After Giovanni reveals his true feelings about Mewtwo, to say Mewtwo is less than pleased would be putting it mildly. Another change shows how on top of trying to restrain Mewtwo, Giovanni also actively tries to battle Mewtwo before his lair is destroyed!

Mewtwo flies from the wreckage, casting off its armor and declaring the intent to “strike back” and those who opposed Mewtwo! Though the dub script still has some artifacts from the first movie dub in 1999, this is actually more faithful to the original Japanese script.

We are then reintroduced to Ash (voice of Sarah Natochenny), Brock (voice of Bill Rogers) and Misty (voice of Michele Knotz), and this new scene of them running up the hill to their picnic spot actually makes more sense than it did in the original movie as to why Ash is tired and hungry.

As Brock prepares lunch, Ash is accosted by Raymond; who in this version is more clearly Jamaican and a potential future Team Aqua recruit in appearance.

The movie’s take on the opening battle between them is just fantastic: while I admit the visual style initially looked like a video game cutscene to me, with the characters reminding me of some of the action figures I used to have; the way they’ve done it is pretty neat. It’s kind of like something out of Super Smash Bros., and the human characters sort of remind me of the avatars in Ready Player One.

One difference from the original movie is that Raymond’s Golem has been swapped out with a Drowzee, correcting a type balance error in the original (as Golem is part ground-type, meaning it shouldn’t have been damaged by Ash’s Pikachu). I almost expected Raymond to attack first, so Ash doesn’t look like a psycho. The battle is also set to a new mix of the movie version of the “Pokémon Theme” that I’d very much like to see released on its own soon.

As Ash wins the battle with one big Thunderbolt from Pikachu, a Fearow watching overhead has recorded the whole thing; and it looks like Mewtwo has upgraded the monitors in his lair to some new HDR 4K setup. Dragonite is then dispatched to the scene, as Team Rocket watches from the hillside nearby. The gag about the skillet is also more logical than in the original movie, as Jessie just has it beside her rather than pulling it out of hammerspace.

Dragonite descends upon our heroes, knocking over their picnic area in order to give them the invitation to New Island, and Brock is once again making an amorous face at a familiar young woman. I’m also glad that they’re able to put some modern flourishes on their classic outfits without making them look too different.

The storm breaks out as Mewtwo sets the obstacles before the trainers invited to New Island; and I am very impressed with how real the ocean and rainstorm look at the wharf. Sometimes it’s something simple like our heroes’ outfits being damp that shows how far CGI has come in the last quarter of a century alone. Kind of like comparing Sid’s dog, Scud in the first Toy Story to the CGI cat in the most recent film. I also like how Ash takes Pikachu shaking himself dry like a dog in stride compared to the original movie.

On top of Officer Jenny and Miranda telling the ancient legend that ties into the movie, they report that Nurse Joy has gone missing and they’ve halted all the ferries due to the storm. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Defying the orders imposed, several trainers set off into the storm for New Island; including Corey, Neesha and Fergus; the last of whom is a bit more muscular than he was in the original movie. They also have their original VAs reprise their roles! Now, everyone else needs to find a way to the island!

Now, comes one of the more notable changes: rather than a Viking gondola, we have a Lapras pedal boat (which is real, by the way) and Team Rocket doing a song and dance while disguised as sailors. … Folks, I believe this franchise now has its own “Jedi Rocks” moment.

Taking the “twerps” to New Island, even tapping the turbo boost on the boat; I am at least glad they gave them life vests in this version. They can’t let the ocean get them before they do, can they?

The boat dips underwater, and in this version, we actually see Jessie, James and Meowth get their disguises washed away; which makes more sense than how it happened in the original with the Viking outfits. The boat sinks, but everyone is able to make their way to New Island on the backs of their water Pokémon!

Presenting the invitation to the maiden, Ash, Brock and Misty head inside the castle; with Team Rocket once again popping up from the water on Weezing’s back!

I must say, though it took a bit to get used to the human designs (the “uncanny valley” effect basically went away after the first 15 minutes for me); this movie nailed the Pokémon designs. It’s not quite the hyper-realism of the Detective Pikachu movie; but it works in a different way. The flames on Charizard’s tail, the detailing on Squirtle’s shell; the textures of Pidgeot’s feathers and Pikachu’s fur: it’s the little touches like that I appreciate.

On that note, the way they reimagined Team Rocket infiltrating the castle has one subtle change that answers a question that’s been asked for years, if not decades: Jessie looks over her shoulder as if to hear Mew, which subtly canonizes the fate of her mother. That mission that she went missing, presumed dead on? It was about finding Mew.

One new scene at the dinner table is Brock hitting on Neesha! Not really the time, Brock: read the room! They also fixed the error about mislabeling Corey’s Pidgeot as a Pidgeotto. Even when I was a kid, I knew they done goofed.

Elsewhere, Team Rocket is trying to slip in through the lower levels of the castle, and I just love how this movie has subtly made Meowth more catlike in expressions as Mew watches closely behind.

Right on cue, Mewtwo descends on everyone in the dining hall; speaking telepathically through the maiden at his side! Mewtwo hurls Fergus into the fountain in a show of force after he objects to
Mewtwo being the strongest trainer! Fergus sends Gyarados after Mewtwo, but Mewtwo reflects the Hyper Beam back at Gyarados!

Mewtwo then releases the maiden from his grasp, and her hat falls off to reveal it’s the missing Nurse Joy! When Mewtwo reveals the reason why he brought her here, Misty is livid, as is Ash.

Back with Team Rocket, they find the lab; and Jessie activates the cloning machine when she leans on one of the panels! As Dr. Fuji’s final video diary plays explaining the situation to Jessie and James, three strands of fur from Meowth’s tail are plucked, cloning Meowth in the process! One side note: I do like how Mew is just chilling above everyone, and that Mewtwo kept the holographic panels when rebuilding the lab on New Island.

When Pikachu objects to Mewtwo’s plan, Mewtwo flings him backward into Ash’s arms! Though it’s not a total shot-for-shot remake as many were expecting, I am glad they kept this scene. Ash’s design really isn’t that different; it’s just his OG outfit with the bag and running shoes from his “I Choose You” design.

Ash is outraged, and Corey sends his Rhyhorn after Mewtwo; who hurls Rhyhorn back across the dinner table! Mewtwo proclaims to be the strongest Pokémon, and Ash challenges him to prove it!
Mewtwo summons the clones from the lab, and their emerging from the stasis pods looks great in CG. First is Blastoise!

Next up is Venusaur, and I just love the way the giant flower on its back blooms as it emerges from stasis.

Last, but not least is Charizard; and I just love how subtly each of its scales is rendered: not as realistic as the Detective Pikachu movie; but still impressive.

I also love the redesigned battle arena in this movie: the original was impressive, but the glow up to this new movie’s visuals is stunning.

Corey and Neesha fight alongside their Venusaur (named Brute Root) and Blastoise (Shellshocker), and Ash sends out his Charizard! He still tries to attack Mewtwo, who just casually blocks the flames with the water; and I really like the effect of the cinders and steam in this part.

One by one, despite a valiant effort by the heroes; the clones win over their original counterparts! Even with my familiarity with the original movie, the way this battle has been reimagined is spectacular.

Capturing them in Poké Balls of his own design, Mewtwo begins capturing the others in order to eliminate all non-clone life from the world! Insert Thanos comparison here.

The ensuing action scene expands on what the original movie did; and this time, the spiral staircase actually has stairs as Ash and Pikachu run up it! I especially like the fluid effects as Pikachu is captured and Ash dives into the pool after him! The way he retrieves his hat a la Indiana Jones is more subtle too.

Swimming up from the pool, Ash slides down the chute; which is conveniently wide enough to fit a 10-year-old boy! What’s an ominous lair without a Super Happy Fun Slide?

They also fixed the gaffe about Team Rocket confusing Alakazam with Scyther. Even for a couple

Pokémon Tech washouts, that's a bigger stretch than Luffy playing Twister with Reed Richards.

They also fixed Meowth confusing Sandshrew and Sandslash! Though there are still some lines as artifacts from 1999, the script is much more faithful to the JP movie.

At the 1-hour mark; Ash dives into the cloning machine as Team Rocket looks on! I especially like the red lighting as he tries to wrest his friend from the machine’s claws! 

After a minute of kicking and biting, Ash frees Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle and the other captives! He’s delighted to be reunited with his friends, and realizes that Mewtwo must be stopped!

Back above ground, Mewtwo offers the humans a chance to leave as his storm begins to take hold!

They all refuse, and an explosion occurs! The original Pokémon are freed, and Ash; having learned the sickening truth, decides to confront Mewtwo!

Mewtwo flings Ash into the sky, but he’s caught by a bubble blown by Mew! His hat also falls off when Mew pops said bubble, and I like the way Mew plays with him as he gets it back on the platform beneath him. Mew is just as much like a mischievous kitten as ever, I love it.

Mew then starts bouncing on another bubble, before Mewtwo hurls a Shadow Ball at Mew! Not only is this now a canon move in the games, Mewtwo can indeed learn it! Mew and Mewtwo then battle above the stadium, and I really like how this movie has adapted this sequence. The lighting and camera angles really make great use of the medium, and it shows how far CGI has come in the past quarter of a century alone. 

Now, the movie has reached the finale: all the Pokémon and their clones fight to the end; face to face, eye to eye! This whole battle is done in one continuous shot, with the Pokémon and their attacks being used to hide cuts and transitions, lasting nearly three full minutes! No campy “Brother my Brother” song either!

Even with my familiarity with the original movie, as we pass the point of the original’s runtime; it still has a similar effect of putting a darker spin on the admittedly strange premise. Kind of like the 1986 Transformers movie or the first two 1990s TMNT movies.

The other Pokémon are almost out of strength, and Mew prepares for one final clash with Mewtwo! Ash runs into the blasts, turning him to stone, and lo; the children did weep. 

The color of stone is even darker than in the original movie, and somehow; it’s even sadder when Pikachu tries to revive the lifeless body of his friend, to no avail.

Moved by Ash’s sacrifice, the Pokémon, led by Pikachu cry for their fallen hero; bringing an end to the storm! He’s back and in his prime, no less! … Dynamax energy, laddie.

Mewtwo has been convinced of the value of human life; taking the clones to a refuge away from New Island, returning everyone else home and wiping their memories of what happened! 

Nurse Joy is also found safe, and I must say that her design in this film has joined the list of my favorite versions of the character.

Ash, Brock, Misty and Pikachu then briefly reflect on their journey; and I forgot to mention this earlier, this movie actually makes clearer than the original that it takes place after the Kanto gym challenge chronologically. 

The storm clears, and we close on our heroes vowing to continue their journey. The credits sequence has some beautiful stills from both the animators and winners from an art contest! There’s even a brief stinger showing Mewtwo and the clones taking refuge in the setting of “Mewtwo Returns!” If they ever wanted to remake that film, I’m open to the idea.

So, that’s “Pokémon Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution.” As the first all-CGI movie in the franchise, it definitely cleared that hurdle much easier than other franchises have. As a re-imagining of the first movie, it’s a solid update to a film I already enjoy. It’s less of a shot for shot remake and more of something in the vein of “Star Wars: A New Hope” and “The Force Awakens,” where there’s a similar story structure and just enough to help the new movie stand on its own. In fact, if I was asked what I would want out of a full-CG version of the series, this is the closest to what I had in mind.

As for where I’d put it on my ranking of them all, I would put it on the same level as the original film in terms of quality. I consider it to be a good movie and one of the better video game adaptations in general, and I’m glad that between this, the Detective Pikachu movie and now the Sonic movie; things are starting to get better. Might not be on the same level as the last couple movies they did, but definitely worth watching.

I would have no objections to future content debuting on streaming in lieu of theaters or on TV, and I will most likely tell you what I think of this year’s movie after its inevitable English dub. Later.