Recap: Pokémon Mewtwo Returns

Welcome to my look at Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns! Well, folks; we certainly knew from the first movie that Mewtwo was an iconic villain. What we didn’t know, from the uncut version of his origin that he was a tragic villain that may not have been fully aware of what he was doing. It seems he was created in an attempt to bring back Dr. Fuji’s daughter, Amber; who also has this status since his obsession caused his wife to leave him. 

The special proper starts off with a brief recap of the first movie; as well as establishing that Ash, Brock, and Misty had their memories erased. Ah yes, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mew.

Also, Mewtwo is voiced by Dan Green; who replaced Philip Bartlett. This is one of many roles that he has played for the anime; even to this day.

Giovanni has not been affected, and has traced Mewtwo to the Johto region with the aid of Agent Domino; continuing the pattern of Team Rocket operatives in the dub being named for famous criminals. In this case, hit woman Domino Harvey; and is a better one than Keira Knightley.

To this special’s credit; it does have some very good effort to make Mewtwo sympathetic; which works quite well.

Ash, Misty, and Brock all are headed towards Purity Canyon in Johto. They remark at its wonder, and how to get there. Also, I wonder what’s in a Wonder Ball?

There’s a bus that heads there, but it only comes once a month. It’s probably run by Greyhound.

The rain starts; and Brock opts to “use his trusty frying pan as a drying pan.” Ladies and gentlemen, we have an internet meme! 

Meowth says there are severe storms in the area; but Jessie says the guide sensationalizes everything. Just like Kotaku! Naturally, they’re blown away by a big gust of wind.

Mewtwo will not let anyone in; as he toys with buses; and now lives alone with the Pokémon.

So, Ash, Misty, and Brock meet a woman who takes them to a lodge for folks who miss the bus. So, the bus leaves, they just sit around for a month? Their union just isn’t getting it done. 

The woman, Luna; points out there’s another way: take a boat up the river. There’s a great view; and the water has properties that are refreshing to those who partake. Yet, Ash doesn’t see it. 

Unfortunately the river is crawling with bug Pokémon, which does not sit well with Misty. Brock suggests climbing the mountain; which Luna does not take to lightly. Still, she points out Clarity Lake is a paradise for the Pokémon there; as a group of Butterfree go to lay their eggs there. I wonder if Ash’s Butterfree is still out there; and his children.

Mewtwo points out how serene they look amongst the night sky. He wonders what their purpose is in the world, and their place. This is actually a fairly good theme to have; quite different from what one would expect from Pokémon.

Just then, a man named Nick Calex comes to the lodge; as does a suspicious woman. She is obsessed with her; as implied by her early-2000s street lingo.

Brock then hits on Domino; much to Misty’s dismay.

Luna warns them about the sanctity of Mount Cana and Purity Canyon; but their conversation is interrupted by firecrackers from Team Rocket!

They take Pikachu as Calex tries to warn them about the air currents on the mountain; but they will have none of it as they use literal rockets on their balloon!

Naturally, they’re caught up in the air current; which convinces Luna to help Ash and the others rescue Pikachu before it’s too late.

The rockets burn out as everyone starts climbing the mountain and the music turns into what sounds like when Luke was fighting the rancor in Return of the Jedi.

The balloon catches the rope everyone is on; and Domino manages to trace Mewtwo and the lake. She relays the information to Giovanni; who is all too eager to reclaim what he believes is his.

Mewtwo is also surprised to see everyone again.

Also, Giovanni apparently is drinking a scotch on the rocks; but 4Kids didn’t do a thing to it, even when he crushed the glass with his bare hands! Waste of damn good scotch. As such, this is also the first Pokémon movie to be rated PG by the MPAA, beating the Darkrai movie to it by almost a decade.

He also is given information on the other clones; uncovering yet more prizes for his research.

At this; Domino is given the signal to drop the facade, and a combat unit is summoned to the mountains. Everyone manages to climb into the balloon basket just as Domino reveals her true motives.

She also points out that Team Rocket has plants everywhere. In other words; “cut off one head, two more take its place.” Everyone is separated when Domino pops the balloon. 

Domino hang-glides into Giovanni’s helicopter as if she were playing a game of Just Cause 3.

The cloned Pikachu does not want everyone there; but Mewtwo holds him back. James even points out the whole situation “feels like a sequel to a movie I missed.” Well, that’s Hollywood for you. Even the gaming industry has it happen all the time with sequels becoming more recognized than first entries; like Street Fighter or Grand Theft Auto.

Team Rocket has traced the Pokémon to the lake; and everyone must prepare for war. I must also note that there aren’t quite as many changes as there were to the first movie; but I’ll have to watch the Japanese version some time to make sure.

The cloned Pikachu also points out while their home is peaceful; they want more than just hiding in the shadows. Yet, they’re afraid of what will happen if they try to share the outside world with everyone else. Even Team Rocket can sympathize; as their circumstances often prevent them from living a normal life. That was Takeshi Shudo’s original concept for the characters; and one of the key reasons why I miss him. He helped turn a simple merchandise-driven series into what it is today. The best parts of the series that have followed owe what they have to him.

As Giovanni prepares to face Mewtwo, Ash and the others cross the lake and continue their search for Pikachu. They determine that Team Rocket crashed near an inlet near the other side of the lake and head there.

Jessie and James are captured; only Meowth can come with all the other Pokémon.

Everyone reaches the inlet and starts climbing the stairs to an oasis inside the mountain. Calex discovers the water is purest as can be. 

It is here that we see another meme the film spawned; baby Nidoqueen. Not female Nidoran, mind you; but baby Nidoqueen. There must really be something in the water to make that happen.

Brock is astounded that they all look so healthy. I think it’s astounding they have baby Nidoqueen at all; given how they still haven’t fixed that breeding glitch between them.

Their parents are watching from overhead; all too proud at what they have wrought.

Everyone then continues their search for Pikachu; just as Giovanni’s chopper reaches the mountain! It attacks the Pokémon and begins stealing them! Only the Pikachu and Meowth remain as they try to make a run for it, but are stopped by Mewtwo! He frees his brethren as Giovanni greets him. Mewtwo orders him to leave; but Giovanni is prepared for this as he attempts to capture Mewtwo.

Mewtwo warns Giovanni not to test the limits of his power. Everyone then decides to divert their attention to another island as Domino jets over there. Also, her pack sounds like a ship burst from The Phantom Menace.

Everyone is captured and taken back to the oasis; where Domino and her men start capturing the Pokémon in sight. They’re going to be used as bargaining chips for Mewtwo; and Meowth realizes the situation’s gravity as Mewtwo heads to the island!

With the baby Nidoqueen in Domino’s grasp; Mewtwo orders her to release it. When Giovanni reveals what they will do to the Pokémon; Mewtwo decides to go along with their demands, for now.

Even though Giovanni activates a machine meant to control him; Mewtwo will not yield, even in the face of armageddon.

Ash reunites with Pikachu as he and the clones are being taken hostage. It is here I realize the restraints they use are highly counterproductive. They don’t even hold back the arms at the elbows; so much that Ash is able to comfortably hold the two Pikachu!

He notices they’re hurt; and Calex has Luna use a vial of water in his pocket to heal them. Odd; if they’re captured, wouldn’t Team Rocket search them for that? They didn’t even take their backpacks despite them being literally the only things on them besides the clothes on their backs!

Sure enough, it works! You have chosen wisely.

This is actually kind of amusing: Domino locks them in with the Pokémon! Sure, there’s no way placing them in with the superpowered creatures ranging from electric mice to massive kaiju can backfire! “I’m just going to leave them in an easily escapable situation and assume the whole thing went to prat!” 

Then, Team Rocket actually starts building a new base around the lake! I’ll give them this: they’re efficient. Everything, everything, absolutely everything; every last little thing must go according to plan!

Giovanni discovers that its will is stronger than its body; and Domino replies it could take years to clone again! … Hold that thought for about 12 years or so. Also, Jessie and James have been assigned the latrines. Typical.

However, their work is polluting the lake; and the bug Pokémon are coming for them as a result.

They spread spores all over the compound; and one grunt drops a blowtorch, causing the plant to explode. … I get the feeling this may not be entirely OSHA -compliant.

The explosion frees everyone; but Calex and Luna stay behind to protect the lake! Domino tries to protect herself; but is overrun by bug Pokémon and has a hard time running in heels. The job Jessie and James did on the floor didn’t help.

The lake is all right; but Mewtwo can’t hold out much longer! He will never let go! 

Then; Ash decides to save Mewtwo. That’s my boy! Rescuing a morally-ambiguous uber that managed to become one of the biggest icons of the franchise. Even though the kill-switches are locked; nothing beats good old brute force for stopping cold machinery! This is a sequel to a movie where he bit and kicked his way out of a cloning machine to save Pikachu, after all.

Then, Mewtwo decides to sacrifice himself; as Ash once did, and has done again. He is freed; but at great cost. Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu try to get him to the lake; but they are confronted by Giovanni; Domino, and the combat unit. They are more than ready to face off against them to protect their friend. Then, the clones provide reinforcements as Ash gets Mewtwo to the lake. They are both one of a kind, in their words.

As Mewtwo plunges into the water, his body and his mind are healed; just as Giovanni confronts them all. Mewtwo then drives Giovanni and the combat unit away in a flash of light! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!

With this; Mewtwo has given them a new sanctuary as everyone vows to keep their home secret. Everyone also decides against erasing their memories again; realizing that in order to prepare for the future; we cannot truly forget the past. Mewtwo decides to only erase the memories of those who would seek vengeance against them all. So, we end on everyone going their separate ways. Ash and Pikachu will not forget their adventure; and Mewtwo will walk the earth with his Pokémon in secret.

As a follow-up to the first of many Pokémon movies; this was a strong case of one of the few direct sequels to any of the movies. As a result; it has been in heavy rotation since it first got put on video when the third movie was out. For a TV movie budget; the animation is surprisingly good. There some odd jokes; but they did go viral, thanks to the web 2.0 giving the fandom a new outlet to express themselves with. Overall; I’m glad to kick off my looks at made-for-TV Pokémon movies with this.

I really think this could be a whole new way to look at Pokémon. I can only imagine how the creators will use this to influence future specials!

Hm. Everyone keep an eye out for my recap of Pokémon: The Legend of Thunder.