Pokémon's first movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back, was famously met with some terrible reviews upon its first release, mostly coming from critics who knew nothing of anime or of Pokémon. The film is actually far better than its critical rating would lead one to believe, however, as these critics missed out on some of the deeper themes.

Mewtwo Strikes Back can certainly seem silly or frivolous on the surface, particularly for those unfamiliar with the tropes used by Pokémon's anime. Pokémon saying their own names was routinely roasted, for example, and the film was dismissed as little more than an advertising venture. But to get bogged down in details like that is to miss the forest for the trees. I feel that the film more than stands on its own as a movie, and remains a classic worth watching to this very day. But just what is it that makes Mewtwo Strikes Back such a great Pokémon film?

Mewtwo's Origins Gave His Character Depth

Mewtwo's Existential Fears Were Surprisingly Relatable for an Anime Villain

The biggest asset the movie has, of course, is the character of Mewtwo himself. Mewtwo is introduced as a clone, a test subject being experimented upon who isn't respected as a living being at all, but instead treated as a successful experiment. It may be hard to now, but cloning was a big subject in the late 90s, with things like Dolly the Sheep in the public eye. The ethics of cloning, in particular, were heavily discussed at the time, and the movie highlights this discussion with the treatment of Mewtwo and his other clone Pokémon.

Mewtwo is also far more than just a cackling villain in the film. He's a driven being, out to find the meaning of existence and value in his own life. Since Mewtwo was only ever praised for his strength, Mewtwo mistakenly puts his self-worth into his power, and decides that the best way to prove that he and the other clones deserve life is to prove they're stronger than the originals. This culminates in the massive battle that makes up the climax of the film, with the arrival of Mew triggering Mewtwo to attack, in a desperate attempt to justify his own existence.

Mewtwo carries with him an odd inferiority complex as a result of the scientists' treatment of him. Since they didn't value him as a living being, Mewtwo has a hard time valuing himself as a living being as well. He feels the need to prove his existence, and that is what ultimately kickstarts the plot of the film. Mewtwo's invitations to trainers only exist for this reason, which is what ropes Ash and friends into becoming part of the movie.

Ash and Mewtwo Make For Compelling Conflict

Ash and Mewtwo Differ Greatly in Their Viewpoints

For Mewtwo, who was engineered to be the strongest Pokémon, power is something of a given. It's an innate part of who and what Mewtwo is, and his abilities, for better or worse, can't be separated from the living being. Mewtwo is also furious at humanity in general for the way it's been treated, and is threatening to destroy the whole world as a result. Mewtwo intends to take over the ruins, supplanting the humans and naturally born Pokémon with his own army of cloned Pokémon. Mewtwo ends up luring trainers to its island, hoping to prove its superiority even as the world is at risk.

Ash, on the other hand, is as competitive as ever. He can't say no to a challenge, and goes to great lengths to reach Mewtwo's island alongside Misty and Brock. Ash and Pikachu have had to work hard for the power that they have, and working together towards that goal has brought them closer together. Ultimately, Ash and Pikachu's relationship is the proof that humans and Pokémon can get along, and that Mewtwo's treatment is unfortunate, but an outlier. Ash doesn't see a difference between the cloned Pokémon and the naturally born ones--they're all Pokémon to him.

It sets up an interesting conflict that's going on beneath the surface. It highlights the difference between competitive battling for fun, and the high-stakes battle for existence that's taking place. This all culminates in Ash's idealism driving him to try to stop the clones and the natural Pokémon from fighting, which results in his (apparent) death by petrification. Ash's sacrifice and Pikachu's utter despair at the sight succeed in dragging the conflict to a halt. Even Mewtwo realizes that the relationship between this human and Pokémon is a real bond of love.

Mewtwo's Search for the Meaning of Life Has An Answer For Us All

Mewtwo Offers Words of Wisdom in the Film's Finale

The film's themes are summed up by Mewtwo after he saves Ash's life and finally realizes that he has no reason to fight. Mewtwo says his iconic quote, "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." It's an excellent lesson in that it applies to far more than just clones. After all, a person should be judged for their actions, not immutable factors about their birth, and this quote's famous status among Pokémon fans would seem to suggest that the movie's message really did sink in and leave an impact on the kids who viewed it.

Overall, Mewtwo Strikes Back is an effective film at getting an important message across to its intended audience, a warning against bigotry and meaningless hatred. It does so in an entertaining way that's sure to have everyone watching glued to the screen. Mewtwo's showmanship certainly doesn't hurt the presentation, and Ash and Pikachu make for the perfect heroes to go up against a being with beliefs like Mewtwo's. Sure, there's some Pokémon silliness to contend with, but ultimately, this is a movie about understanding one's self.

Mewtwo's redemption at the end proves that anyone can change for the better, and that even "bad" people can be influenced into goodness again. It's a great moral for children, and Mewtwo's existential worries about his life's purpose are something that every Pokémon fan, regardless of age, will be able to relate to.