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Pokemon the First Movie - Mewtwo vs. Mew (1999)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 3.6/10
Reviews Counted: 79
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 68

Audiences other than children will find very little to entertain them.

Average Rating: 3.7/10
Critic Reviews: 24
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 21

Audiences other than children will find very little to entertain them.

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Average Rating: 2.9/5
User Ratings: 65,038

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Movie Info

The internationally popular toy, comic book, and video game characters who stormed the big screen in the surprise hit Pokemon: The First Movie are back in this Japanese anime feature. Lawrence III, who collects the elusive creatures known as Pokemon, will become the greatest Pokemon trainer on Earth if he can capture and tame Lugia, a huge Pokemon of the sea. Lugia's powers are so great that they could destroy the world if they fell into the wrong hands, so lead trainer Ash and his friends must

G, 1 hr. 21 min.

Action & Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art House & International, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Kunihiko Yuyama , Kunohiko Yuyama

Written By: Michael Haigney, Norman J. Grossfeld, John Touhey, Takeshi Shudo

In Theaters: Nov 6, 1999 Wide

On DVD: Mar 21, 2000

Warner Bros. Pictures

Pokemon the First Movie - Mewtwo vs. Mew Trailer & Photos

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Critic Reviews for Pokemon the First Movie - Mewtwo vs. Mew

All Critics (79) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (69) | DVD (13)

The repetitive plot is essentially a string of excuses for fantastical combat sequences, but somehow several characters' insistence that violence is bad doesn't come off as hypocritical.

February 28, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comments (2)

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

The wisdom of putting bad experiences behind us never rang more true than after viewing this movie. Avoiding it though, may be impossible, so be prepared.

April 5, 2002 Full Review Source: Globe and Mail

| Comments (2)

Liam Lacey

Globe and Mail

Top Critic

A shameless plug for Pokemon merchandise? You betcha.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Mark Caro

Chicago Tribune

Top Critic

Adults may cringe at the preachy heavy-handedness and the extremely limited motion animation that sets the art form back a couple of generations.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Michael Rechtshaffen

Hollywood Reporter

Top Critic

The Japanese animation is beautiful, and the script adaptation for the English-speaking audience is well-paced, clever, and absorbing enough to keep parents from squirming.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Betsy Sherman

Boston Globe

Top Critic

With intentionally stilted animation, uninspired music and lame jokes, Pokemon is basically an ultralong version of the phenomenon's own boring TV 'toon.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

| Comment

Bob Longino

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Top Critic

Excruciating to endure.

December 27, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comments (6)

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

The story is a humourless retread of a Bond-style world domination yarn with a Frankenstein theme.

August 16, 2007 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Wally Hammond

Time Out

It would be nice to think that 'the kids' would take on board the heavy-handed moral messages, but more likely they'll be looking out for new Pok�mon to collect, therefore fulfilling Nintendo's merchandising dream.

December 30, 2006 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

| Comment

Empire Magazine

If you're over 10 years old I have four words for you: See Princess Mononoke instead.

May 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid

| Comments (11)

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

For Pokemon fans? Give it a shot.

April 9, 2005 Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews

| Comment

Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

In the tradition of such drivel as 'The Care Bears Movie' and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,' it's essentially a commercial disguised as a feature film.

July 1, 2003 Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

| Comment (1)

James Sanford

Kalamazoo Gazette

Abysmally bad.

May 14, 2003 Comments (6)

Laura Reiley

Palo Alto Weekly

The kids in the audience at my showing were certainly enthralled, and I only fell asleep twice.

February 8, 2003 Full Review Source: Film Quips Online

| Comments (3)

John R. McEwen

Film Quips Online

The movie may have been designed to shift Pok�mon product but it also comes down hard on the side of friendship, mutual respect and resourcefulness.

December 2, 2002 Full Review Source: Sight and Sound

| Comment

Ken Hollings

Sight and Sound

Unfortunately, dear grown-ups, no end to the Pok�mon invasion seems imminent.

August 2, 2002 Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews

| Comment

Betty Jo Tucker

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

With its undertones of slavery and cockfighting, Pok�mon" may have the most unsavory premise ever for children's entertainment.

July 12, 2002 Full Review | Comments (2)

Jeffrey Westhoff

Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

The film is baffling, amateur and somewhat contradictory about violence.

June 28, 2002 Full Review Source: Hollywood.com

| Comments (2)

Ellen Kim

Hollywood.com

Probably too verbose to significantly influence the target audience.

June 25, 2002 Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine

| Comment

Annlee Ellingson

Boxoffice Magazine

Would it have been too much to ask for just a tiny bit of interest for the grown-ups?

December 10, 2001 Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall

| Comment (1)

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

If you don't mind plunking your kids down in front of a 90-minute commerical, go nuts.

October 10, 2001 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

| Comments (2)

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Pokemon the First Movie - Mewtwo vs. Mew

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This movie came out when I was 8 and I loved it then and I love it now. Yes, I was a huge fan of the pokemon tv show and that may have skewed my opinion on it. BUT I recently watched it with a date. I haven't seen it in years and my date hasn't seen it EVER. We both fell in love with the characters and enjoyed the

May 31, 2012

Joshua Wilburn

Super Reviewer

Unless you are a fan of the show or a child, this movie is not going to do anything to broaden your horizons about the Pokemon TV show. The plot is essentially an extended episode with bland characters, cheesy dialogue (complete with cringe-worthy humor), and an ending that essentially turns the whole affair into a

February 29, 2012