Post by Quillford on Sept 17, 2011 6:48:05 GMT 2
So here at the fortress, I thought it was time that I had a peek at this and got people’s opinions on the whole franchise. It is something I am chugging my way through as a series and a game collection. Through this I have got a review here for the first Pokémon movie.
A little info on the film itself: First thing to point out about any Pokémon movie is that none of them follow the series. They are set in an alternate time lines. The first film is arguably the only one that may make sense in between particular episodes of its corresponding series (Between episodes 67 & 68). Each film that has been released follows a corresponding series. For example Pokémon: The Movie came out during the first series (Indigo League) which followed the game’s or the region (Kanto) of the games, Red, Blue & Yellow (Fire Red & Leaf Green – The Remakes) versions. These were released for the Gameboy Colour. They continued so on and so forth.
This little short accompanied the main feature. Like a warm cup of tea to a scone. Like a sherry to a mince pie. Like robin to batman...
This is completely different. It appeals to more the young viewers/fans (as was its original intent as a franchise). It received a very large and diverse audience in the end and it keeps on growing. This little mini movie was completely pointless and only serves one true purpose; it is the first appearances of Snubull (Pokédex No. #209) & Marill (#193) from the next generation of Pokémon (Gold, Silver & Crystal). At the time of this film’s release I loved it. I had never been to a film with a pre feature before. It was an exciting time. Looking back I see a pointless twenty minute waste of time.
The whole plot resides within a mini story where Ash and co dump their Pokémon off at a day park to relax and have a “vacation”. The intro music was awesome and something I can still enjoy bobbing my head too. Between that and the new species being shown in this, everything else was god awful. The whole thing is just about Ash and co’s Poké –Posse getting jealous of another crew including the new Snubull and Marill, being competitive and getting Charizard’s head stuck in a pipe. There is some Pokémon politics and occasional narration from Dexter, Ash Ketchum’s Pokédex interspersed with really weird transitions of Pokémon dancing, (Not just dancing. Weird, sensual, drugged up kind of dancing where tie die visuals appear in the backdrop and sounds echo while the Pokémon multiply. What do Nintendo think children are into these days?! This sort of stuff leaves scars.) But that’s it. The story is about as entertaining as a really big blister. It looks huge but when it comes down to it, it’s sore and needs to be removed. To be honest I was surprised as the series in my opinion was very good and very entertaining. Enough, onto the main event!
Pokémon: The Movie for me was a defining moment in my childhood. This however doesn’t mean anything to how good it was. It was there at the prime of the anime. Pokémon cards and the games blue and yellow were everywhere, not to mention the series. The next step was inevitably, a theatrical release film. Pokémon: The Movie or Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back brought in nearly $164 million dollars (£103,652,528.91 GBP to be exact) but only spent approx $30 million dollars on production. In short, it did extremely well. Nintendo really saw it’s ever growing potential right here.
Nintendo meets Frankenstein (I know right?) What good could possibly come out of it. Apparently a lot of ‘nice’ messages to send home with the kids about equality and how to love and look after one another when the days is done. However, I got to say this film even made me wince in places. Compared to the usual mainstream Pokémon series. This is darker and likewise a lot more kick ass.
As I said earlier most Pokémon films don’t take place in the generic story arch of the series but feature the same characters. However, this one is arguably set in between episode 67 (Showdown at the Po-ke Corral) and episode 68 (The evolution solution) of the Indigo League series. The plot shows Team Rocket, Ash, Misty & Brock get caught up in a threat that could destroy the world. Two rare and unique Pokémon have secrets hidden that become apparent throughout this film.
Enticed? Didn’t think so. What if I told you that these Pokémon are ancient, thousands of years old and battling at the expense of the world’s fate? Well what if I said there is actual violence? Well if I haven’t won you over by now I am probably not going to.
After the first five minutes, people are dead (Oh yeah there is death in this film.) There is an intellectual conversation with the audience and massive explosions and destruction. There is certainly a feeling of “Is this actually Pokémon or am I watching the wrong film?” Anyway this film throws out a rollercoaster of questions, mysteries, excitement and on the edge of your seat moments. It teaches kids the true value of friendship and reminds all us adults that we should be pelting metal balls at animals for a living instead of the usual. Tears could be shed and hearts could be wrenched but this is ONLY a cartoon. This is ONLY Pokémon. Don’t expect too much.
Can I take a minute to talk about voice acting? Pokémon is notorious for being cheesy and very corporate. But this movie had some excellent one liners. I found myself “oof”ing (that’s an official term) with praise. I particularly want to give praise to the person who did the English voice of Mewtwo. It was absolutely brilliant. It totally made this film what it is. Every time I heard Frankenmew talk I was completely transported into its world. Phillip Bartlett was the legend who voiced Mewtwo. Sadly he is dead. As was his career. He was in two things altogether and Pokémon was the last. Hole in his heart (Stupidly Ironic). I think it is quite nice that at the beginning Ash makes a reference to how Vikings and bad guys come from Minnesota and the voice actor for Mewtwo is from Shakopee, Minnesota. Nice. Apart from that you had your usual “Pickachuuuuu” from ash. “She’s Pretty...” from Brock and “Your lazy” from Misty. Team Rocket are as awesome as ever along with Meowth. Apart from the mentioned antagonist, voice acting is pretty normal standard here. Judge on that yourselves from the movie or the TV series. So no complaints from me.
So what’s changed? The film, is it any different from the television series? Well apart from having kick ass Mewtwo and being super violent for what it is (a children’s cartoon). Togepi is still an annoying, ear grating potato, Psyduck is still fantastic and Pidgeotto has vanished from the party for no reason. I really wish they had aborted ear grating potato when it was a still a egg – made a fry up or something. It serves nothing but a complete shitting annoyance the whole way through it’s entire existence. I just want to kick it in the face till it bleeds yolk (Suppressed anger issues? Maybe. Togeprick just gives me a headache.) Pikachu is still a fuzzy cat-mouse thing that wears way too much blusher. But now it's better quality and on the silver screen. Great.
In my opinion if you are ever going to watch a Pokémon movie, this is the only one I would heavily recommend. This is the best one by far. With 649 species on the plate, the best way to start your adventure is with a bang and this is the biggest one you will get. If you want a nice, slow start, watch the series up to episode 67. But beware if this isn’t the thing for you, you will be clawing at the coffin you have been placed in due to the Pokémon caused Coma. If you don’t think Mewtwo is the coolest Pokémon ever, no dispute. If you don’t agree – there’s something a miss. I certainly wouldn’t want to go loco with him in an alley. He would probably rip my eyes out my head and use them as replacement ball-fingers or something. Remember that episode of The Simpsons where itchy and scratchy is on, and it’s the episode where Scratchy is walled up for three thousand years and itchy has evolved into a master race with ultimate psychic powers in which he uses to kill old scratchy in a terribly gruesome way. Future Itchy = Mewtwo. ‘Nuff Said.
If you’re at this point and you’re still not sure whether this film is for you. Think for just a second. Is killing the heck out of little fuzzy animals, trying to capture them all in little round steel coffins and an abused psychic kickass machine blowing the world up, killing hundreds of innocents – your thing? If yes, you have dipped yourself into the obsession that is the biggest Nintendo franchise alongside Mario – Pokémon. Have mercy on your collected soul. If it was this film that won you over don’t be ashamed, cause in retrospect this WAS a good movie.
Why should you watch it?
If you haven’t watched the series: This film is still a great stand alone epic. There is no need to see the series. It provides a back-story for the main characters and Pokémon but nothing more. It is actually a good way to get introduced to the Pokémon adventure. Especially if it could lead onto playing the games. If you’re an anime fan, a star trek fan or even a star wars fan? This could be for you. Ignore all preconceptions, the best way to know if you like it is to watch it. Pokémon needn’t be the taboo it seems to be.
If you have watched the series: This film is a definite must see for fans. It offers an immense background onto the rarest of the original 151 Pokémon. It’s interesting, fun and even interesting for more adult viewers. It dips into a more darker side of anime. I get the feel of Akira or even Vampire Knight in this film, maybe it’s the artwork, but there’s certainly a more adult element. It’s fun for younger and older fans with a nice sci-fi twist to the whole ethos.
Why I reviewed it?
Ok so Pokémon is everywhere. Let’s face it, it IS mainstream. But surly it is worth a mention to see if it’s most successful film is any good. I like to look at what is awful, what is good and what is popular and dissect the shit out of it. This movie was no different.
What are my final scores?
(Voice) Acting – 7/10
Storyline – 8/10
Surprise Element – 8/10
Linearity – 5/10
Overall – 7/10
Now it's time for your thoughts. What do you think about Pokémon fortress? The series, the games, the cards and the films? Is it relevant, is it good etc. Discuss!
A little info on the film itself: First thing to point out about any Pokémon movie is that none of them follow the series. They are set in an alternate time lines. The first film is arguably the only one that may make sense in between particular episodes of its corresponding series (Between episodes 67 & 68). Each film that has been released follows a corresponding series. For example Pokémon: The Movie came out during the first series (Indigo League) which followed the game’s or the region (Kanto) of the games, Red, Blue & Yellow (Fire Red & Leaf Green – The Remakes) versions. These were released for the Gameboy Colour. They continued so on and so forth.
Pikachu’s Vacation
This little short accompanied the main feature. Like a warm cup of tea to a scone. Like a sherry to a mince pie. Like robin to batman...
This is completely different. It appeals to more the young viewers/fans (as was its original intent as a franchise). It received a very large and diverse audience in the end and it keeps on growing. This little mini movie was completely pointless and only serves one true purpose; it is the first appearances of Snubull (Pokédex No. #209) & Marill (#193) from the next generation of Pokémon (Gold, Silver & Crystal). At the time of this film’s release I loved it. I had never been to a film with a pre feature before. It was an exciting time. Looking back I see a pointless twenty minute waste of time.
The whole plot resides within a mini story where Ash and co dump their Pokémon off at a day park to relax and have a “vacation”. The intro music was awesome and something I can still enjoy bobbing my head too. Between that and the new species being shown in this, everything else was god awful. The whole thing is just about Ash and co’s Poké –Posse getting jealous of another crew including the new Snubull and Marill, being competitive and getting Charizard’s head stuck in a pipe. There is some Pokémon politics and occasional narration from Dexter, Ash Ketchum’s Pokédex interspersed with really weird transitions of Pokémon dancing, (Not just dancing. Weird, sensual, drugged up kind of dancing where tie die visuals appear in the backdrop and sounds echo while the Pokémon multiply. What do Nintendo think children are into these days?! This sort of stuff leaves scars.) But that’s it. The story is about as entertaining as a really big blister. It looks huge but when it comes down to it, it’s sore and needs to be removed. To be honest I was surprised as the series in my opinion was very good and very entertaining. Enough, onto the main event!
Pokémon: The Movie (Mewtwo Strikes Back) 1998
Pokémon: The Movie for me was a defining moment in my childhood. This however doesn’t mean anything to how good it was. It was there at the prime of the anime. Pokémon cards and the games blue and yellow were everywhere, not to mention the series. The next step was inevitably, a theatrical release film. Pokémon: The Movie or Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back brought in nearly $164 million dollars (£103,652,528.91 GBP to be exact) but only spent approx $30 million dollars on production. In short, it did extremely well. Nintendo really saw it’s ever growing potential right here.
Nintendo meets Frankenstein (I know right?) What good could possibly come out of it. Apparently a lot of ‘nice’ messages to send home with the kids about equality and how to love and look after one another when the days is done. However, I got to say this film even made me wince in places. Compared to the usual mainstream Pokémon series. This is darker and likewise a lot more kick ass.
As I said earlier most Pokémon films don’t take place in the generic story arch of the series but feature the same characters. However, this one is arguably set in between episode 67 (Showdown at the Po-ke Corral) and episode 68 (The evolution solution) of the Indigo League series. The plot shows Team Rocket, Ash, Misty & Brock get caught up in a threat that could destroy the world. Two rare and unique Pokémon have secrets hidden that become apparent throughout this film.
Enticed? Didn’t think so. What if I told you that these Pokémon are ancient, thousands of years old and battling at the expense of the world’s fate? Well what if I said there is actual violence? Well if I haven’t won you over by now I am probably not going to.
After the first five minutes, people are dead (Oh yeah there is death in this film.) There is an intellectual conversation with the audience and massive explosions and destruction. There is certainly a feeling of “Is this actually Pokémon or am I watching the wrong film?” Anyway this film throws out a rollercoaster of questions, mysteries, excitement and on the edge of your seat moments. It teaches kids the true value of friendship and reminds all us adults that we should be pelting metal balls at animals for a living instead of the usual. Tears could be shed and hearts could be wrenched but this is ONLY a cartoon. This is ONLY Pokémon. Don’t expect too much.
Can I take a minute to talk about voice acting? Pokémon is notorious for being cheesy and very corporate. But this movie had some excellent one liners. I found myself “oof”ing (that’s an official term) with praise. I particularly want to give praise to the person who did the English voice of Mewtwo. It was absolutely brilliant. It totally made this film what it is. Every time I heard Frankenmew talk I was completely transported into its world. Phillip Bartlett was the legend who voiced Mewtwo. Sadly he is dead. As was his career. He was in two things altogether and Pokémon was the last. Hole in his heart (Stupidly Ironic). I think it is quite nice that at the beginning Ash makes a reference to how Vikings and bad guys come from Minnesota and the voice actor for Mewtwo is from Shakopee, Minnesota. Nice. Apart from that you had your usual “Pickachuuuuu” from ash. “She’s Pretty...” from Brock and “Your lazy” from Misty. Team Rocket are as awesome as ever along with Meowth. Apart from the mentioned antagonist, voice acting is pretty normal standard here. Judge on that yourselves from the movie or the TV series. So no complaints from me.
So what’s changed? The film, is it any different from the television series? Well apart from having kick ass Mewtwo and being super violent for what it is (a children’s cartoon). Togepi is still an annoying, ear grating potato, Psyduck is still fantastic and Pidgeotto has vanished from the party for no reason. I really wish they had aborted ear grating potato when it was a still a egg – made a fry up or something. It serves nothing but a complete shitting annoyance the whole way through it’s entire existence. I just want to kick it in the face till it bleeds yolk (Suppressed anger issues? Maybe. Togeprick just gives me a headache.) Pikachu is still a fuzzy cat-mouse thing that wears way too much blusher. But now it's better quality and on the silver screen. Great.
In my opinion if you are ever going to watch a Pokémon movie, this is the only one I would heavily recommend. This is the best one by far. With 649 species on the plate, the best way to start your adventure is with a bang and this is the biggest one you will get. If you want a nice, slow start, watch the series up to episode 67. But beware if this isn’t the thing for you, you will be clawing at the coffin you have been placed in due to the Pokémon caused Coma. If you don’t think Mewtwo is the coolest Pokémon ever, no dispute. If you don’t agree – there’s something a miss. I certainly wouldn’t want to go loco with him in an alley. He would probably rip my eyes out my head and use them as replacement ball-fingers or something. Remember that episode of The Simpsons where itchy and scratchy is on, and it’s the episode where Scratchy is walled up for three thousand years and itchy has evolved into a master race with ultimate psychic powers in which he uses to kill old scratchy in a terribly gruesome way. Future Itchy = Mewtwo. ‘Nuff Said.
If you’re at this point and you’re still not sure whether this film is for you. Think for just a second. Is killing the heck out of little fuzzy animals, trying to capture them all in little round steel coffins and an abused psychic kickass machine blowing the world up, killing hundreds of innocents – your thing? If yes, you have dipped yourself into the obsession that is the biggest Nintendo franchise alongside Mario – Pokémon. Have mercy on your collected soul. If it was this film that won you over don’t be ashamed, cause in retrospect this WAS a good movie.
Q&A on this review:
Why should you watch it?
If you haven’t watched the series: This film is still a great stand alone epic. There is no need to see the series. It provides a back-story for the main characters and Pokémon but nothing more. It is actually a good way to get introduced to the Pokémon adventure. Especially if it could lead onto playing the games. If you’re an anime fan, a star trek fan or even a star wars fan? This could be for you. Ignore all preconceptions, the best way to know if you like it is to watch it. Pokémon needn’t be the taboo it seems to be.
If you have watched the series: This film is a definite must see for fans. It offers an immense background onto the rarest of the original 151 Pokémon. It’s interesting, fun and even interesting for more adult viewers. It dips into a more darker side of anime. I get the feel of Akira or even Vampire Knight in this film, maybe it’s the artwork, but there’s certainly a more adult element. It’s fun for younger and older fans with a nice sci-fi twist to the whole ethos.
Why I reviewed it?
Ok so Pokémon is everywhere. Let’s face it, it IS mainstream. But surly it is worth a mention to see if it’s most successful film is any good. I like to look at what is awful, what is good and what is popular and dissect the shit out of it. This movie was no different.
What are my final scores?
(Voice) Acting – 7/10
Storyline – 8/10
Surprise Element – 8/10
Linearity – 5/10
Overall – 7/10
Now it's time for your thoughts. What do you think about Pokémon fortress? The series, the games, the cards and the films? Is it relevant, is it good etc. Discuss!
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