The franchise easily becomes a hit mostly because of its riveting gameplay, eventually inspiring an anime television series then a number of movies including this film, Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution. A remake of the franchise's first film and the original gang we know and love reunion film.
Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution is a CGI version of the first film titled, Pokemon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back and much like the narrative of the original, the film tackles the same serious issue about unethical cloning and genetic modification for the purpose of slavery and manipulation.
The film starts with Dr. Fuji explaining his plan to create the ultimate Pokemon using the fossil of a mythical Pokemon named Mew. His effort comes into fruition when he succeeded in creating a humanoid-like Pokemon he named, Mewtwo. But by and by, Mewtwo starts to question his existence in the world. He starts to grow aware of how humans used him for their own self-interest, giving the idea that his mere purpose of existence is to serve them. This fuels his hatred toward humans and cause him to rebel against them.
Afterwards, we are introduced to Ash, Misty and Brock who got invited to a party by a self-proclaimed "world greatest Pokemon trainer" located at New Island. Getting to the island is no easy task though as a strong storm currently raging the sea making it impossible to travel across it, spoiling their attempt to reach the island on time. Ash and the gang are determined to answer the invitation still, so in one impulsive decision after another the three went off to the island only to find out that everything is really not what it seems.
Pokemon has evolved a lot since 1996. The animation of the first film didn't age well with time. Its unsophisticated and plain with not much innovation or difference from what we regularly saw from the animated TV series. But along the evolution of technology, Pokemon also transformed into many forms. Pokemon Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution is one good example of how Pokemon evolved through time. This staggering film proudly show off its beautifully rendered Pokemon and landscapes to truly capture the breathtaking world of Pokemon.
Despite its child-friendly look and cute characters, Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution wasn't able to fully deliver the message it wants the audience to understand. Considering that this film seems to be aimed for children, it feels like the message about pacifism and antislavery struggles to travel through. Much like the first film, there's not much exposition provided to explain senseless violence and slavery -- which literally Pokemon is all about. It blunders to show that Pokemons are friends and family because it keeps on subjecting the characters to battles and enslavement.
What it managed to do though is enrich the first film. It challenges us even more to ponder on the question if Mewtwo really is bad? Or is he just a product of men's selfishness and corruption? If only Pokemon focused on telling the journey of Mewtwo's sentience rather than the overused theme of Ash and Pikachu's friendship, Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution might be the groundbreaking film to elevate the franchise's entertainment quality.
In summation, this film seems like it was created for fans of the Pokemon franchise rather than for those who wants to enjoy Pokemon for the first time. It still carry the problematic storyline of the first film but because it's so appealingly animated, its hard to complain.
3/5
3/5