Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution

Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): February 27, 2020

6.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Ratings

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Davrosdaleks1Apr 5, 2020

So, I've got free time on my hands what with the corona virus and was weirdly curious about the decision to make a computer-animated remake of an individual Pokemon movie. I watched the two back-to-back and, yeah, this is ultimately the sameSo, I've got free time on my hands what with the corona virus and was weirdly curious about the decision to make a computer-animated remake of an individual Pokemon movie. I watched the two back-to-back and, yeah, this is ultimately the same as first one: not particularly bad or good.

This is basically Gus van Sant's Psycho. It's the same film, just with slightly different dialogue and the occasional slightly different moment. (Sometimes, the dialogue is exactly the same.) Heck, the original director Kunihiko Yuyama is a co-director on this. (Fun fact: he has directed the majority of the Pokemon films since the nineties.)

I've only seen the dubs. I mostly found the original one better written than this.

The original English version had part of Mewtwo's backstory, which made it sadder, cut. Nowadays American distributors are far more likely to distribute the original products untouched, however the Japanese creators decided to drop this part all together which is unfortunate and I feel let down that they didn't stick to their original guns if they were just doing the same story over again, anyway.

As for the story in general, it suffers from too much setup and dialogue from the main antagonist Mewtwo. However, there are a couple of surprisingly well done emotional moments in the final act and the villain is fleshed out in his motivations. The movie also manages to stand out among most of the many, many other Pokemon films by being darker and having a pseudo neo-gothic feel to it.

As for the computer animation, it all looks good and is well designed. The weather, aerial fights, and the ending credits particularly standout. On the other hand, there are a couple moments where the computer animation isn't able to tell the story as well as the original's 2D animation did.

I don't know if this movie justifies its existence, but it doesn't feel like a slap in the face to its predecessor either. Overall, if your kids like Pokemon, they'll like this. If you're nostalgic toward the first film then you might find this interesting. However, if you're not into Pokemon, this won't do anything for you.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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MorsugioMar 1, 2020

Where is the music!!! God danm!! I was watching with tears rolling waiting for "Brother my Brother" but nothing... why the meowth didn't said the famous phrase about the importance of being yourself and stuff... good movie but missing someWhere is the music!!! God danm!! I was watching with tears rolling waiting for "Brother my Brother" but nothing... why the meowth didn't said the famous phrase about the importance of being yourself and stuff... good movie but missing some crucial sounds and phrases.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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JamejarrsFeb 28, 2020

I love the original US Pokemon movie, warts and all, so when I heard that a CG remake was being made I was very curious. What we get is a movie that rides the coat tails of the original while trying to move some elements slightly to the leftI love the original US Pokemon movie, warts and all, so when I heard that a CG remake was being made I was very curious. What we get is a movie that rides the coat tails of the original while trying to move some elements slightly to the left to not seem redundant, all while not quite hitting the mark.

Visually, it's okay. The models of the Pokemon seem like they're ripped from the TCG commercials and are fairly unremarkable, and the characters look just different enough to feel off. The animation is odd and bouncy, and a lot of the Pokemon fights lack the scale and weight of the original.

The dub here is just awful. I understand the limited 2D animation of the original gave the actors a lot more leeway to not match lip flaps, but the strict adherence to the CG characters makes lines feel stilted and awkward, in conjunction with some writing that makes this feel like it's written for toddlers. A lot of the main cast is replaced with actors trying to imitate the originals, personally I would have preferred they'd given their own performance as opposed to parroting the originals.

My one big positive is the crying scene had way more impact on me in this movie, due in part to Pikachu's voice actress giving a great performance.

If you locked me in a room with this or nothing, I wouldn't say no. Give me this and the original, I want the original without question.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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MaddoxWhiteApr 24, 2021

Oh my god what did you do to the visuals The voice actors are also worse, somehow?

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