Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25186 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-10-23
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Animated, Dubbed, Full Screen, PAL
• Subtitled in: English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 92 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The world domination of Pokémon begets their first theatrical movie. This adventure is a little more complex and dark than the popular TV series, but kids who live for the show will gobble up this film and ask for seconds. Those baffled by the show's popularity, however, will see nothing better here. Mewtwo, a new type of Pokémon designed by scientists to be the ultimate fighter, decides he wants to rule the world and challenges all the great Pokémasters to battle. Of course, our intrepid heroes Ash, Misty and Brock are there to tangle with Mewtwo and spoil his devilish schemes. The film is a tad more emotional than the show (that is, there is some emotion), with Ash sacrificing himself to defend his beloved Pikachu.

Would you really expect the makers of this worldwide phenomenon to radically change its winning formula? The feature is only 55-minutes long, but there's also a 20-minute short, "Pikachu's Vacation." For the Pokémon novice, this escapade will truly baffle: the narrated tale has virtually no dialogue except Pokémon speaking their names (Bulbasaur, for instance, will only express emotion by using variations of his name: "Bulba, Bulba-SAUR!"). --Doug Thomas, Amazon.com

Special Features
1.33 Full Screen
DVD 9
Dutch\French\Italian\Portuguese
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 Dutch English French Italian Portuguese
Dolby Digital 5.1
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Bonus Footage
Commentary
Musical Videos
Theatrical Trailer
Dutch\English\French\Italian\Portuguese

Synopsis
In this action-packed adventure story based on the popular TV series, a villainous Pokemon "collector" is attempting to ensnare the mysterious guardian Pokemon Lugia. In order to summon this mystical creature, he must first capture three powerful elemental Pokemon representing fire, lightning, and ice: Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno--an act that threatens to upset the balance of nature itself. As horrible natural disasters begin to occur all over the world, young Ash discovers that according to an ancient prophecy, he is the chosen one who must save the earth from total destruction--a daunting challenge for any Pokemon trainer. Fortunately, Ash is surrounded by friends he can always count on for support: his faithful electric Pokemon Pikachu, traveling companions Misty and Tracy, and his new friend Melody. Even some old enemies, the nefarious Team Rocket, end up lending a helping hand for a change. This film has a more polished feel than its predecessor, POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE, and some impressive computer-animated background graphics.
The main feature is preceded by a new animated short, "Pikachu's Rescue Adventure," in which audiences get to see a variety of wild Pokemon in their natural settings while learning a valuable lesson about cooperation.

Customer Reviews

Its Poke' Tastic
I havent seen this film for ages and yet it's still good.
The Pokemon short nearly brought me to tears when Charizard got its head stuck, as Charizard is my all time favourite Pokemon. I rented it out again and when Ash was hit by Mewtwo and Mew, the sight of Pikachu crying - I had to stop myself crying as well.
It features Pokemon you rarely see in the TV series - Gyarados for example. You also see Mew the rarest Pokemon ever.
The only bad thing Pokemon (its a small thing) is that I think Ash cares too much about Pikachu.
Even so, its still a great movie so I reckon you buy it - at any age!

Pokemon's Cinematic Inauguration!
Pokémon has undoubtedly cast its magnificence to a considerable audience for many years and still unquestionably retains its beauty even to this day. The latest season 'Pokémon - Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension' has enticed me, as I'm positive it has induced identical effects on others, I'm going to prognosticate more tantalizing action in the near future. This review however is set to deal with the creation of the first Pokémon movie to hit the big screen! I still to this day remember all those years ago anticipating the cinematic introduction of Pokémon, being a child of only nine years of age, I had little awareness as to what was going on but thoroughly enjoyed myself nevertheless. Today though however, I am in a better position than ever to articulate my experience all those years ago.

The lessons and realizations that constantly befell upon Pokémon's notorious characters, has remained with me since the dawn of its popularity 12 or so years ago. Admittedly, I still recollect the unbreakable relationship between Pokémon's protagonist Ash and his first acquired Pokémon in the Kanto region, Pikachu. Both Ash and Pikachu share a bond that is inspiringly beautiful. This amazing friendship is demonstrated greatly in this first movie, which focuses on the creation of a genetically cloned Pokémon Mewtwo, who was ingeniously manufactured to give birth to the strongest, ultimately indestructible Pokémon. Mewtwo was harnessed through the usage of the ancient Pokémon Mews DNA, which incidentally is one of the world's rarest Pokémon entities. The Bio-engineered creature begins to question its purpose, and arrives at the conclusion that Humans have no consideration for the life or world around them. Therefore he believes, change is a necessity... Mewtwo is dedicated to showing the world his unbelievable powers, by changing the world as we know it.

What struck me initially was the illuminating animation. Although it pales in comparison by today's standards quite significantly, the animation nevertheless presented the imaginary world in a whole new light. The composed soundtrack that accompanied some of the scenes, such as Dragonites take off, was virulently breathtaking. And who can forget Team Rockets insatiable need to stalk the three heroes Ash, Misty and Brock? Rhetorical question, no one can. Mewtwos insidious scheme though however punctuates Jessie, James and Meowth's relentless pursuit of Pikachu as totally inconsequential. When the gang receives an invitation to battle a self-proclaimed number one Pokémon master, Team Rockets curiosity for the gangs' activity causes them to follow them to the master's destination. Not wanting to give too much away, they suffer from their usual moronic idiosyncrasies. Needless to say, I cannot recommend watching them humiliate themselves once again. Ash and the gang, alongside other trainers are flabbergasted to discover the so called master that gave them the opportunity to battle him is an unidentifiable Pokémon. It then descends into full blown battle with Mewtwos army of clones, and the ultimate showdown between Mew and Mewtwo.

The DVD itself features a very colourful navigation menu, which if you follow to the special features, includes the excavation that led to the accredited scientists bio-engineering the ultimate Pokémon from the DNA of the ancient Pokémon Mew. This brief animation is titled `The story of Mewtwos origin'. A sneak preview of the second movie is also implemented. Mentionable is also the 20 minute short titled `Pikachu's Vacation', which as the Amazon review above informs us, contains nothing but the audible sounds of Pokémon. The interactive menu hosts a lot more and I sincerely recommend giving it a try. Not only for the preciousness of the movie itself, but to begin the accumulation of your new Pokémon collection. This is of course just one out of an innumerable amount of DVD's; I would like to say categorically though that this film is most certainly a title to consider as a starting point.

Continuing my pursuit of watching the greatest animated show in the annals of television, I still value its educational lessons both in practical skills and sociological. Nothing has provided me more than Pokémon with emphasizing the importance of friendliness and the toleration of other peoples and creatures. Enjoy!

It's Pokemon - of course it's good!
As a father of a five year old I was increasingly worried about the "insidious threat" of this "venemous card game". Then one evening my wife and I played to "see what all the fuss was about".

I have been hooked ever since.

The movie ties in very well with the latter end of the current TV series (UK terrestrial) and is overall well put together. I freely admit to wet eyes when Ash sacrifices himself (but then I cried when Baloo got it in Jungle Book and Arnie got it in T2!).

However, as a poke-addict I feel that the best part of the DVD is in fact Pikachu's Vacation. This is very reminiscent of the Pokemon Island episode when the Pokemon were separated from their trainers and 90% of the dialogue was in Poke-talk with subtitles. Absolutely hilarious. I am sure that anyone with a bouncy child can sympathise with Pikachu and friends having to console/care for a tiny Togepi.

Anyway, enough blabbering. Open your mind and watch the film.