Most people today have an idea of Pokémon. The franchise had to slow down and hit a brick wall before it could become a beloved franchise. Ironically, the wall was struck with a Pokemon product which was the most awaited product from the franchise.

Even though anime and video games were big hits, this product would be the real coming-out party for the world. This would allow the franchise to establish itself as something that can be enjoyed by all ages. This product was Pokémon: The First. It was the first theatrical motion picture in the franchise.

Japan’s Mewtwo Strikes Back: Pokémon

The story was released in Japan as Pocket Monsters. It featured a bio-created Pokemon, Mewtwo. He was cloned in a laboratory. Mewtwo is confused by his existence and angry at the world that wants to play God. Mewtwo embarks on a journey to prove that he is worthy and has a purpose in his life. He is able to see that his life is valuable and worthwhile, regardless of what circumstances he may be in.

The film was well received by Japanese viewers. Critics and audiences were both impressed that a film about a cartoon with a primary purpose of selling toys would have to go through the effort of explaining complex themes. Pocket Monsters: Mewtwo Strikes Back demonstrated to the public that Pokémon was a franchise to be taken seriously.

4Kids Entertainment Tackles Mewtwo Strikes Back (Pokémon)

Adults were not allowed to spend time with Pokemon. It was one thing that the series was to air on TV. Parents would have to pay to view a movie. This was the event that brought everyone together with Pokémon. 4Kids Entertainment would subtitle the movie and was charged with making a movie that would appeal to both new and old fans. 4Kids either didn’t know or didn’t care about this responsibility. The movie was well-received in Japan for its complex themes and ambiguity. However, 4Kids producers were not amused by these themes.

American producers didn’t want to make a movie about the meaning of life or have a morally ambiguous antagonist. They just wanted to sell merchandise. They removed most of the background that explained why scientists wanted to clone Mew. It revolved around the death and attempt by her father to bring her back to health.

They would take out all questions Mewtwo asked about existence. The script would then be rewritten to allow for an anti-fighting message. 4Kids had made all the changes necessary to the film, except the basics. They were proud of what they did and felt that the movie was better. The public would soon see Pokemon The First Movie, and many would not agree with their positive views about the movie with 4Kids.

The First Movie of Pokemon is a Box Office Sensation

Pokémon: The First Movie was released in American cinemas on November 12, 1999. The movie grossed $31 million and earned $85.7 million in total. It was the first anime to debut at number one at the box office, and it remained the highest-grossing opening in America up until Demon Slayer: The Movie opened in 2020.

The problem was that the final product was not very good. 4Kids’ rewriting of the script ended up being disastrous. The film was appreciated in Japan by people who had not seen it before. The film was criticized for its complicated storyline and simplistic villain in America. Roger Ebert, a renowned film critic wrote:

The screenplay was also confusing for some children who saw the movie and were left confused by the message that the movie was trying to tell them about fighting, when in fact they love the fights.

Although $85 million may seem like a respectable gross, it should have been expected that a gross of over $100 million would be possible given how popular Pokemon was at the time. Instead, parents and kids saw a movie that was beyond comprehension. The Rotten Tomatoes score is a shocking 16%. 4Kids created a better version of the movie, but the world rejected it with scorn. A fan would lament the loss of his beloved movie many years later.

When Pokemon 2000 was released in cinemas, it made less money than the Pokemon 3 Movie, which took in $17 million and $43.7 million, respectively. When you spoke to Pokemon, most people would recall how they first saw the movie in cinemas. The reactions to it were mixed for years. There was nothing anyone could do to repair the damage to the Pokemon brand.

Nintendo of America Steps In

Mewtwo Strikes Back received a CGI remake to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The dub retained most of the mature themes and the original music and gave viewers the correct adaptation they deserved. The Netflix release of the CGI remake Mewtwo Strikes Back was a huge step towards bringing the movie to the public.

Pokemon’s Bright Future

Pokémon would have been a terrible franchise if it hadn’t been around for two more decades. Poke: The First Movie might have ruined the franchise’s reputation. Although it may seem dramatic to say that it nearly destroyed the franchise single-handedly, the fact it left so many people with negative opinions speaks volumes about the extent of its true devastation. Although adults might not have come to see the film if it had been in its original state, there is no doubt that the reception would have been just as terrible.

It’s easy for Pokémon: The First Movie to be seen as an anomaly within the franchise, with the franchise now stronger than ever. It’s important to remember that success in the world is not a guarantee. When you release your first movie for a major franchise, it’s important to do so with as much quality as possible.