The Pokémon franchise has produced dozens of movies, hundreds of episodes, and thousands of creature designs, yet one story continues to cast a long, psychic shadow over the entire series. Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back, released in Japan in 1998 and globally in 1999, was more than just a commercial milestone; it was a surprisingly dark, philosophical exploration of what it means to be alive. Whether through the lens of the original hand-drawn animation or the 2019 CGI remake, Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, this narrative remains the gold standard for storytelling in the Pokémon world.

The Birth of a Tragic Anti-Hero: The Origins of Mewtwo

Mewtwo was not born; it was made. This distinction serves as the foundation for the character's entire arc and the film's central conflict. Funded by Giovanni, the enigmatic leader of Team Rocket, a group of scientists led by Dr. Fuji set out to clone the mythical Pokémon Mew. Their goal was to create the ultimate biological weapon, a creature that surpassed the strength of any natural Pokémon.

Using a fossilized eyelash of Mew, the scientists succeeded in creating Mewtwo. However, the creature’s sentience was immediate and overwhelming. Unlike natural Pokémon that grow and bond with trainers, Mewtwo awoke in a cold, sterile laboratory, surrounded by people who viewed it as a "specimen" rather than a living being.

The Lost Prologue: The Uncut Story of Mewtwo’s Origin

To truly understand Mewtwo’s psychological trauma, one must look at the ten-minute prologue titled The Uncut Story of Mewtwo’s Origin (or The Birth of Mewtwo). Often omitted from the initial Western theatrical releases but restored in later home media, this segment provides crucial context.

In the laboratory, a young Mewtwo developed a telepathic bond with another clone: Ambertwo, a clone of Dr. Fuji’s deceased daughter, Amber. Dr. Fuji’s obsession with cloning wasn't just about Pokémon; it was a desperate, grief-stricken attempt to bring his daughter back to life. Alongside clones of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, Mewtwo and Ambertwo shared a "dream world" while their bodies matured in tubes.

Tragically, the other clones could not survive the process. As Ambertwo’s consciousness faded, she told a distraught Mewtwo that "life is wonderful" and that he should live. To save Mewtwo from the mental trauma of losing his only friends, the scientists wiped his memory. When Mewtwo eventually awoke as an adult, he felt a profound, unexplainable sense of loss and anger—a void that would eventually manifest as a hatred for all of humanity.

Analyzing the Plot: The Battle on New Island

After destroying the laboratory and escaping the manipulative grasp of Giovanni, who attempted to use Mewtwo as a armored gladiator in his gym, Mewtwo retreated to New Island. There, he rebuilt the laboratory into a fortress, plotting his revenge.

The film’s main act begins with Mewtwo inviting the "world’s strongest Pokémon Trainers" to New Island under the guise of a challenge from the world's greatest Pokémon Master. Ash Ketchum, Misty, and Brock are among the few who manage to navigate a massive, magically induced storm to reach the island.

The Duel of Clones

Mewtwo’s plan was not just to defeat trainers, but to prove the superiority of clones over "natural" life. He utilized advanced technology to capture the trainers' Pokémon and create cloned versions of them—Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur. These clones were physically identical but often possessed more aggressive patterns and enhanced strength.

The conflict reached its peak when the original Mew appeared. The ensuing battle was not the typical, structured Pokémon match seen in the anime series. It was a brutal, exhausting war of attrition. Mewtwo’s psychic power clashed with Mew’s playful but immense energy, while the other Pokémon engaged in a heartbreaking fight against their own clones. The sight of Pokémon slapping one another to the point of exhaustion, devoid of the usual joy of battle, remains one of the most sobering images in the franchise.

Philosophical Depths: Identity, Purpose, and Cloning Ethics

What separates Mewtwo Strikes Back from other children's movies is its willingness to engage with existentialism. Mewtwo spends the majority of the film asking: "Who am I? Why am I here?"

The Ethics of Genetic Modification

In the late 1990s, the real world was grappling with the implications of Dolly the Sheep and the rapid advancement of cloning technology. Mewtwo Strikes Back tapped into these societal anxieties. The film portrays the act of cloning not as a scientific triumph, but as a moral failing born of human hubris and greed. Mewtwo is the victim of a world that tried to play God, and his rage is a direct response to being treated as an object.

The "Circumstances of Birth" Quote

The climax of the film occurs when Ash Ketchum, horrified by the senseless violence, throws himself between Mew and Mewtwo's crossfire, turning to stone. The collective tears of both the original Pokémon and the clones—shed in grief for a human who cared for them—revive Ash.

This miracle prompts Mewtwo's change of heart and leads to the most famous quote in the series: "I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are."

In our analysis of the different versions, it is worth noting that while the English dub by 4Kids added a more explicit "anti-violence" message, the original Japanese script focused more on the equality of existence. Whether born naturally or created in a lab, Mewtwo realizes that his life has as much inherent value as Mew's.

1998 Original vs. 2019 Evolution: A Comparative Look

In 2019, The Pokémon Company released Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, a CGI remake of the original film. This sparked a massive debate among the fan base regarding the artistic direction of the franchise.

Visual Style and Atmosphere

The 1998 original is celebrated for its traditional cel animation. The hand-drawn aesthetic allowed for a certain grittiness and emotional expression, particularly in the lighting of the New Island fortress and the fluid movements of Mew. Many fans argue that the 2D medium better captured the "darkness" of the story.

The 2019 Evolution version, conversely, opted for a shot-for-shot remake in full 3D CGI. In our experience, the 3D models of the human characters (Ash, Misty, Brock) felt somewhat "plastic" to long-time viewers, as the stylized 2D designs didn't always translate perfectly to three dimensions. However, the Pokémon themselves, especially Mewtwo and the clones, looked spectacular. The textures of the scales, the glow of psychic energy, and the environmental effects like the storm over the ocean were significantly enhanced by modern rendering technology.

Faithfulness to the Script

Evolution remained incredibly faithful to the original Japanese screenplay. It did not attempt to modernize the plot or add new Pokémon from later generations (keeping it strictly to the original 151). For newer generations of fans who find older animation styles difficult to watch, Evolution serves as a high-definition gateway to this essential piece of Pokémon history.

The Controversy of the English Dub: Lost in Translation?

For years, there has been a significant divide in how Western and Japanese audiences perceive the film, largely due to the localization choices made by 4Kids Entertainment.

The Moral Shift

In the original Japanese version (Mewtwo’s Counterattack), the dialogue was more ambiguous and philosophical. Mewtwo wasn't necessarily an "evil" villain but a confused being trying to find his place in the universe. The Japanese Mew also had a more combative stance, suggesting that clones were "inferior" and must be eliminated to protect the natural order.

The English dub softened many of these edges. It painted Mew as a purely benevolent force and Mewtwo as a villain who needed to learn that "fighting is wrong." While this made the film more accessible to younger Western audiences, critics have argued that it stripped away the moral complexity that made the story so unique.

The Musical Score

The soundtracks also differed wildly. The Japanese score, composed by Shinji Miyazaki, utilized orchestral arrangements that emphasized the grand, tragic nature of the story. The Western release replaced much of this with a pop-heavy soundtrack, featuring artists like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. While this was a massive marketing success, it significantly altered the atmosphere of key scenes, such as the initial battle on New Island.

Cultural Legacy and Box Office Impact

Mewtwo Strikes Back was a colossal success. Grossing over $170 million worldwide, it proved that the Pokémon "fad" had staying power and could dominate the box office. It paved the way for the annual theatrical releases that became a staple of the franchise for over two decades.

Beyond the numbers, the film's legacy lives on in the characters themselves. Mewtwo remains one of the most popular and "cool" Pokémon in existence, consistently ranking high in fan polls and appearing as a top-tier fighter in the Super Smash Bros. series. The film also set a precedent for Pokémon movies to tackle heavier themes—a trend seen later in films like Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and The Power of Us.

Exploring the "Pikachu’s Vacation" Short

One cannot talk about the theatrical experience of Mewtwo Strikes Back without mentioning the 20-minute short film that preceded it: Pikachu’s Vacation. This was a stark contrast to the main feature, focusing on the whimsical and lighthearted adventures of Ash’s Pokémon in a specialized theme park.

The short introduced several "Generation II" Pokémon to the world for the first time, including Marill and Snubbull, long before the Pokémon Gold and Silver games were released. It served as an essential "palette cleanser" before the heavy emotional weight of the main movie, and its vibrant animation and "Pokémon-only" dialogue (no humans spoke) became a beloved format for many subsequent films.

Summary of Key Takeaways

  • Existential Themes: The movie is a rare example of a children's franchise tackling cloning ethics and the meaning of life.
  • Mewtwo's Tragedy: Understanding the character requires looking at his origin, specifically his relationship with Dr. Fuji and Ambertwo.
  • Visual Evolution: The 1998 2D animation offers nostalgic grit, while the 2019 3D remake provides modern spectacle.
  • Cultural Milestone: The film's massive box office success cemented Pokémon's place in global pop culture.
  • Script Differences: The Japanese original is more philosophical, while the English dub emphasizes a moral anti-violence message.

Conclusion

Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back remains a masterpiece of the genre because it refuses to talk down to its audience. It understands that even within a world of "pocket monsters," there are deep, human questions about identity and choice. Whether you are watching a grainy VHS of the 1998 classic or streaming the high-definition Evolution on Netflix, the message remains clear: our origins do not define us. In a franchise often criticized for being formulaic, this story stands as a testament to the emotional and intellectual potential of the Pokémon universe.

FAQ

What is the difference between Mewtwo Strikes Back and Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution?

The primary difference is the animation style. The original 1998 film is 2D hand-drawn animation, whereas the 2019 Evolution is a 3D CGI remake. The plot and dialogue are almost identical, though Evolution follows the Japanese script more closely than the original 1999 English theatrical release.

Why did Ash turn to stone in the movie?

Ash was caught in the middle of a massive psychic blast exchanged between Mew and Mewtwo. His attempt to stop their fighting resulted in his body becoming petrified. He was eventually revived by the "mystical" tears of the Pokémon, a phenomenon established earlier in the film's lore.

Who is Ambertwo in the Pokémon movie?

Ambertwo was a clone of Amber, the daughter of Dr. Fuji. She appeared in the prologue The Birth of Mewtwo. She was Mewtwo's first friend, and her "death" in the laboratory was a primary catalyst for Mewtwo's existential crisis.

Is Mewtwo Strikes Back on Netflix?

As of 2024, the 3D remake Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution is available for streaming on Netflix in many regions. The original 1998 film is often more difficult to find on streaming platforms and may require digital purchase or physical media.

Did Mewtwo lose his memory at the end of the movie?

No, Mewtwo did not lose his memory, but he used his psychic powers to erase the memories of Ash, his friends, and the other trainers who were on New Island. This was done to protect the clones and ensure they could live in peace, away from the interference of humans.