On February 27th 2020, Netflix released Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution, a recreation of the 1998 original, Pokémon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back. Originally released to select theaters in Japan in 2019, Evolution is the first movie in the Pokémon franchise to debut on streaming services internationally, as opposed to a traditional theatrical run.
Relying on fan nostalgia, the remake gamble Netflix took appears to have paid off. The "new" film has drawn fans old and new back to experience the 20-year old tale of Mewtwo and his quest to understand where he fits in the world. Retreading the previously charted waters of the Pokémon world, these are the ten biggest differences between the Mewtwo Strikes Back remake, versus the original.
New Animation Style
Leading with the most prominent change is the obvious animation redesign for the 2020 remake, which goes a long way to improve (depending on one's stance on CG) the films animation.
While the original was animated in the traditional two-dimension format of the anime, the Netflix revamp opts for a three-dimensional approach. Where in Detective Pikachu the human characters were supported by computer-generated Pokémon, Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution is a completely computer-animated film. This new look provides a fresh take on classic characters, such as Ash, Misty and even Nurse Joy.
No Vacation For Pikachu
In the 1998 original film the star of the series, Pikachu, and his Pokémon cohorts visit a theme park for the day. This twenty-minute long short, Pikachu's Vacation, preluded the main feature and introduced audiences to previously the previously unknown Pokémon, Marill and Snubbull.
With the 2020 redo, Netflix chose not to recreate the supplemental material of the past, cutting Pikachu's vacation short before it ever began. This also means that Snubull's reappearance into the hearts of children has been put on hold.
Opening Opponent Redesign
Following the introduction to Mewtwo, audiences catch up with the main trio as they traverse the countryside on their Pokémon journey. Shortly after, Ash is challenged to a Pokémon battle by a swashbuckling stranger, and audiences are treated to an action scene as the opening credits roll.
In the Netflix version, this trainer has been given a redesign in order to resemble a traditional pirate. Another change in this sequence is that his original Pokémon, Golem, has been swapped out with the Psychic type, Drowzee.
The Vikings Are Extinct
In the United States release of Pokemon: The First Movie, Team Rocket members, Jessie, James, and Meowth, transport the trio of protagonists under the guise of Vikings. A joke accompanied this sequence as well, referencing the Minnesota Vikings, which was only included in international releases of the film.
The remake omits this, and instead Meowth captains a Lapras-themed ship, with Jessie and James providing a nautical tune to accompany the journey. The same fate befalls both vessels however, as the storm conjured by Mewtwo leaves them both drowned at the bottom of the sea.
Ancient Mew Redesign
As the film opens on the lush jungle that Mew inhabits, a team of scientists lead an expedition to find DNA of the legendary Pokémon. A temple dedicated to Mew is shown to the audience, including an ancient depiction of the psychic wonder.
The image was a highlight of the film, and the trading card based off the design was also released with the next film, Pokémon the Movie: 2000. The CGI remake chose to alter the design to more accurately resemble Mew, as opposed to the more abstract design featured in the original.
Origin Story Expunged
In the Japanese release of Pokemon: The First Movie, an introduction to Mewtwo was featured that was removed from the international release.
This piece of animation showcased the clone Pokémon at a younger age, befriending a young girl and having this connection spark the quest for knowledge that would plague Mewtwo as he matured, providing depth to the story of this psychic clone that was notoriously absent to audiences outside of Japan. Whereas this would go on to be included on DVD releases, the Netflix adaptation removed this entirely, from all markets.
More Screentime For Fan Favorites
Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution was provided the benefit of having twenty-plus years of feedback from the Pokémon fandom to work off.
As such, changes from the original based off of fan reactions could be made. One that was minimal, but distinct, was the inclusion of fan-favorite Pokémon, Vulpix and Psyduck, into more scenes than they originally appeared in. Various scenes on New Island, as well as in the opening introduction to the main trio, incorporate the two Pokémon into shots where they were previously absent.
Post-Credit Tease
In 2001, Pokémon: The First Movie was given a sequel, Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns. In the followup to the first film, the fate of Mewtwo and his clone Pokémon was revealed, and they have taken up residence at the isolated Mt. Quena.
The first film originally featured a post-credit scene depicting Mew flying towards unnamed mountainous terrain; in the 2020 remake, this is replaced by the sight of Mewtwo and his clones flying towards Mt. Quena, keeping the continuity from the sequel intact.
No Additional Music
Pokémon: The First Movie Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture, was released in 1999 to coincide with the North American release of the original film. Achieving double platinum status in the United States, as well as reaching number eight on the Billboard Top 200 charts, the album was a hit with fans across the world.
Britney Spears, NSYNC and Christina Aguilera were all featured on the soundtrack, as well as Vitamin C, who had provided a song prominently featured in the Pikachu's Vacation segment. The remake chose to eliminate almost all of the music found in the original, including the "Brother My Brother" track that had become synonymous with Ash's sacrifice at the end of the film.
Fixed Mistakes
Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution was able to capitalize on its remake status by fixing various mistakes of the past film. In the 20th century original, various Pokémon are mislabeled, with characters often confusing evolutionary forms with one another, such as Sandslash and Sandshrew.
The production team at Netflix took it upon themselves to solve these Poké-mishaps, editing the dialogue so that the correct labels were placed upon the corresponding pocket monsters. Thankfully, the next generation of Poké-fans will not have to deal with these issues.