Pokemon the First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back (2000, VHS)

And if you don't like Pokemon, you'll hate it. Parents, be warned. Most of you won't get it. Don't even try unless you've watched the television show and been properly initiated by an eight-to-twelve-year-old. But if you've latched on to the Pokemon craze, don't miss this.

Rather short even as animated flick go, it's even shorter considering the fact that the main story is delayed by "Pikachu's Vacation." The almost complete lack of talking may annoy you, but just think of it as an animated picture book. Pikachu and his friends have arrived at an exclusive Pokemon resort, and it's the endearing electric rodent's job to care for Togapie, the newly hatched starfish-like creature. This becomes difficult when new Pokemon arrive to stir up some trouble. As Pikachu tries to keep the peace, his charge wanders off, leading to some tense moments as Pikachu tries to chase him down.

With Togapie under control, Pikachu agrees to an athletic contest between the more evolved Raichu. As they're racing, they disturb the dragon-like Charazard and he winds up with his head stuck in a pipe. All the Pokemon must pull together in an act reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh's release from Rabbit's front door by the various residents of the Hundred Acre Wood. With everyone's cooperation, the reptile is freed and the vacation can be completed in peace.

The most annoying part of this animated short is the "screen-savers." Whenever the scene changes, a certain type of Pokemon flits across the screen in multiplicity, chanting its name. I think they could have done without that.

But now, the real story. The movie's beginning with a beautiful underwater scene and the soothing tones of the narrator are reminiscent of the lush introduction to "The Land Before Time." The tale of Mewtwo soon unfolds before our very eyes...The world's most powerful Pokemon, Mewtwo, has just been created in a lab. Unfortunately for his creators, he is more powerful than they are and he destroys them, taking over their lab and making it his fortress where he can creating genetically altered Pokemon that will soon help him take over the world.

As part of this quest for superiority, he invites the world's greatest Pokemon trainers to New Island. Ash receives an invitation, and he is ecstatic. But Team Rocket lurks nearby, and they are determined to use Ash for a free ride to the exclusive meeting. When the trainers reach the dock, a horrific storms arises, and the ship cannot transport the trainers. Some venture off on their own, but Ash isn't quite ready to take that chance until a couple of friendly Vikings come to his aid. "We'll get to to New Island faster than you can say farfenugen!" they declare. Next comes my favorite line of the movie, which may be an indication of the less than superior dialogue. "I didn't know Vikings still existed," Brock muses, to which Ash loudly responds, "I think they're mostly in Minnesota!"

Halfway to the island, the boat is capsized and Team Rocket is revealed. But there is no time to worry about that because the bigger concern is getting to the island without drowning first. Both parties accomplish this, rather miraculously. Ash, Misty, and Brock are quite bewildered to be led into the guest chamber only to find that there are only three other trainers present. Moments later, Mewtwo appears, and his terrible plot is revealed. The futility of trying to defeat him is soon clear, and there is nothing that anyone can do to prevent him from snatching away their Pokemon to clone them. But Ash's devotion to Pikachu leads him to plunge headfirst after him into the secret cloning room which Jesse, James, and Meowth have already discovered. Pikachu is safe for the moment, but Mewtwo isn't finished yet.

The Pokemon are whisked back into the arena, this time with clones at their heels. Mewtwo orders them to fight, and they are in the midst of destroying one another when Ash leaps in to stop the fighting. Mew, the adorable Pokemon from which Mewtwo was cloned, looks on in concern as the boy lies on the ground, transfixed by the clash of energy from the two most powerful Pokemon in the world. But love causes magical things to happen, and it is Pikachu's tears which bring the others to realize the damage in their fighting. The huge circle of Pokemon begin to cry, and their shimmering tears converge in the center of the room where Ash is lying to revive him.

This display is enough to move the tyrannical Mewtwo, and he goes off with his clones to seek a peaceful home elsewhere, erasing the memories of the young trainers and leaving them back at the dock. I found that rather disappointing. I mean, Ash just saved the world, and he's not even allowed to realize it? Oh, well.

The movie has a very good message and the animation is, at times, stunning. The scenes during the credits are especially beautiful. The dialogue could be better, and the entire thing is bound to confuse a Pokemon newcomer, but if you're a fan of this little critters who frequent red-and-white plastic balls, you have to see this movie. Chances are you won't be disappointed.