Netflix's Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution is a remake of - and improvement on - the first and best Pokémon movie. Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution, which was recently released as a Netflix original, serves as a remake of Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back. The original animated movie was a big office success in both Japan and the United States when it hit theaters in 1998. The movie became the first in a long line of Pokémon movies. Over 20 films in the franchise have been produced in the two decades since its release.
Mewtwo Strikes Back is the movie that introduced audiences to one of the most popular and unique Pokémon characters: Mewtwo. Mewtwo is a genetically-engineered Pokémon who was created from the DNA of the legendary and elusive Pokémon, Mew. The villainous and hateful Mewtwo hatches a scheme to lure Pokémon trainers straight to him, so that he can clone their Pokémon and use them for his own purposes. After assembling an army of clones, Mewtwo engages in a fierce showdown with the main characters. Of course, it's up to Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu to stop him, but Mewtwo proves to be the most difficult opponent they've faced up until that point.
Of all the Pokémon movies that have been made over the years, Mewtwo Strikes Back is widely regarded by fans as the best of all of them. This may seem surprising to some, considering that it sits at 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, but that rating isn't representative of how the Pokémon fanbase feels about the movie. After all, it being the first-ever Pokémon movie is unlikely to be the only reason why this was the first choice for a Netflix Pokémon remake. For fans, Mewtwo Strikes Back is amazingly deep for a children's movie. Through Mewtwo, Pikachu, and Ash, Pokémon: The First Movie was able to tell a moving, emotional story that hasn't been topped by later installments, and Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution continues its hold as the best movie in the franchise.
The Netflix Remake Gives Mewtwo Strikes Back A Huge CGI Upgrade
Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution gives the first Pokémon movie a massive CGI makeover. It's an unusual look to be sure, as the only other time that anything even close to this has been done was the live-action/CGI hybrid Detective Pikachu, though that was a different case entirely. After seeing Ash, Misty, and Brock as animated characters for over 20 years, seeing them rendered in CGI is definitely an eye-popping experience, but not in a bad way by any means. The result of the remake's CGI transformation is stunning to say the least.
The very first shot of the film, which is of a remarkably detailed leaf, right away gives the viewer the impression that Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution is unlike all other Pokémon movies that have preceded it. From start to finish, the movie is able to effectively blend the traditional anime art style with CGI, and it works perfectly. Ash still looks like Ash, and Misty still looks like Misty. The same is true for all the human and Pokémon characters. The CGI treatment improves the fighting as well. The upgraded visual effects does wonders for the various attacks used by the Pokémon throughout the film, bringing the battles to life in a way never seen before.
Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution Makes Only Minor Improvements To The Original
Netflix's Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution doesn't make many changes to the original Pokémon movie. It takes out the prologue about Mewtwo's origin - which wasn't in the original English version anyway - and it removes the 20-minute Pikachu short, "Pikachu's Vacation". Having either or both of these would have been welcome inclusions, but since neither are part of the main story, these omissions don't hurt the movie itself. As for what it changes, there are only minor tweaks scattered throughout the film. For instance, Ash's pirate-inspired opponent looks a lot more like a pirate, the song played over the final battle is replaced, and the scene where Team Rocket takes Ash and company to the island gets a fun musical number and drops the Viking theme. These changes aren't altogether important, but they do help to slightly update the film for modern audiences.
The reason why so little is changed in the remake is that Pokémon: The First Movie doesn't need much modernizing. It contains a story that can appeal to young audiences, regardless of the generation. It's interesting that Mewtwo's grievances with the humans is one of the oldest criticism that parents and critics have had about the Pokémon franchise, which is its focus on humans making animal-like creatures fight other. Mewtwo Strikes Back tackles this idea head on. Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back is essentially a story about love, as it emphasizes the bond between the humans and Pokémon, and it's ultimately this that causes Mewtwo to overcome his hatred of humans. After a wounded Ash is revived by the tears of Pikachu and all the Pokémon, Mewtwo understands that Pokémon act on behalf of humans out of love, and aren't simply slaves of their owners. This is what makes Mewtwo Strikes Back such as a beloved Pokémon tale. The Netflix remake leaves this story untouched - and rightly so.
The Pokemon Remake's New Post-Credits Scene Teases More Movies
The most noteworthy change to Mewtwo Strikes Back is Evolution's post-credits scene. In the original Pokémon film's post-credits scene, Mew is shown flying across the sky. It's an inconsequential scene that has no impact whatsoever on the future. The new version, however, is steeped in meaning. After the credits, a brief scene shows Mewtwo and his army of Pokémon clones flying above the clouds. While in the air, Mewtwo momentarily pauses to look back at his new Pokémon family that he's now responsible for. The final shot reveals a region that can easily be identified as Mount Quena, a location from the one-hour Pokémon special, "Mewtwo Returns". "Mewtwo Returns", which acts as a sequel to Mewtwo Strikes Back, reveals that Mewtwo chose Mount Quena as the new home for him and his new family.
By teasing Mewtwo's future, Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution is able to accomplish something that the original didn't. At the time, Mewtwo's future in the Pokémon world may have been undecided, but since 20 years have passed and what happens to him has already been mapped out, the Netflix remake was able to give a hint at what comes next for the fan-favorite character. The post-credits scene is in a sense the movie's most substantial attempt at modernization. In showing Mount Quena, it sets up a proper sequel, which would be a continuation of Mewtwo's story. Opening the door for another movie in this style is sure to appeal to fans both new and old. Thanks to this tease, the stage set is set for another CGI Pokémon movie, and considering that this remake managed to improve what was already the best Pokémon film, the idea of a sequel is something to be very excited about.