The Pokémon TV series injected a extremely short scene of the Pokémon Mewtwo breaking away from Giovanni’s headquarters; a sort of viral campaign you could say. One that might have been more effective if he hadn’t been covered in armour that virtually hampered his being identified by anyone who wasn’t a rampant fan (at least of the videogames).

I was possibly the only adult at my local cinema who was without child accompaniment, or indeed actually going to see the film via my own choice rather than that of a protégé (or to keep one quiet for a hour and a half). It is possible that I also enjoy it more, if only because I had a clue as to who everyone was and their relationships to each other. And that is the biggest problem with the film; because only fans of Pokémon are going to get anything out of this film. The whole thing is essentially a long drawn out, threadbare story towards having Mew and Mewtwo battle it out in virtual special effect overkill.

The animation is only mildly better than the TV counterpart and only then occasionally, although that’s not saying anything worth while. Having a psychic character seems to mean enabling the ability to let him stand there while he sprouts exposition at the protagonists, without ever having to move his lips (a translator’s dream).

The sound has little more going for it, sporting as it does some of the worst dubbing in animation feature history, well not all is lost Pikachu manages to avoid this pitfall, but only because his voice is the same Japanese one that the whole world receives (Mew survives this for the same reason). Mewtwo’s disembodied voice coming from the back speakers is the film’s cleverest idea, but one that’s dependent on the viewer having surround sound to enjoy it.

The sound elsewhere is a mixed bag, things are at least better in term of the sound effects accompanying the bombastic visual effects of the magical attacks. The music doesn’t range much higher than mediocre (a rejigged version of the series theme) and then lowers to why did they even bother levels. One moment at the end that could’ve used a quiet moment gets instead a misplace tune that manages to undermine the onscreen action.

As for the story, well it’s a shambles no matter the language, Mewtwo is out to destroy the world, but not before cloning the Pokémon of those mad enough to make the trip to his island. Although his obsession of destroying the species wish to his eyes is heartless and cruel is understandable, remembering that every human he spent the beginnings of his life with wanted to use him for his powers; regardless of what he thought of it all. still it's complete bunk and is really only designed for one thing.

Ultimately the only reason anyone going really consider watching this is for the fight scenes, especially the one at the end between Mew and Mewtwo. To be fair that one is done well enough, but it can’t ultimately save the film by it lonesome. In all I don’t think it’s a complete train wretch, but it is a hospital case.

Okay, it's Pokemon!

Oh God, make it stop.

This was the first movie, so it's obvious that it's one of the worse "dubbed" films in the English version of the franchise.

The basic story: Mewtwo, the bioengineered clone of the rare Pokemon Mew, decides to reek havoc onto the world using Pokemon clones. However, Mew jumps into the frey and the whole thing ends up as a big battle. Add our basic lame hero (Ash Ketchum aka Satoshi (in the Japanese)), his friends (and his Pokemon) and enemies (Team Rocket . . . still preparing for trouble and making it double), and some random pop tunes that make no sense to the storyline (thanks to the soundtrack. Stoopid 4Kids.) and you have Pokemon the First Movie! (And besides, isn't that the lamest title of a movie ever? I mean, really? Is this the only title that these guys could pull out of their butt for this originally wonderful film? Just reading the title would make some kids yawn.)

In the end, watch it once to torture yourself. Watch it twice or more for random giggles and mockery. Watch it even more to behold the cuteness known as Mew! ^__^

Overall, the dub sucks, but the movie is still quite . . . good. Story-wise, that is. The voices are okay (except that Ash's voice annoys me over time), but the music and random pop songs are pointlessly bad IMO.

2 stars! (Wow, this isn't getting a one? It must be better than the worst movies out there!)

****The Japanese version I'd give 3 and half stars!****

Wow. 4Kids couldn't have steered any further from the Japanese script cause they hit the limit. Give me the original anyday. Only things I liked in this dub was the score made specially for it even though the original's score can own it in a match and the interesting sound effect Mew now has when swooping about.

To top off the dub's utter humiliation, 4Kids ruined the climax by playing the worst song, which shouldn't have been anywhere near the top of the list of optional songs to play during this climax. They could have gone with instrumental music like the original had done. But noooo, 4Kids wanted to sell lots of the dub's soundtrack full of pop stars so the climax was saddled with the rotten egg, joy... And someone at Shogakukan in Japan had lots of money to throw around to make *another* copy of the movie all glitzed up with lots of CGI covering hand-drawn stuff. And that glitzed up copy happened to be the one that got dubbed so we get stuck with a yuckier quality version.

Fortunately, with each Pokemon movie that follows, 4Kids gradually improves their dubbing skills. This dub is the pits so going up is a good idea.