 |
|
|
|
Pokémon: The First Movie |
 |
Pokémon: The First Movie centers on
Mewtwo, the most powerful Pokémon in
existence, and his search for the meaning of
life. Genetically engineered, Mewtwo rebels
against the scientists who created him,
destroys the laboratory which was his home,
then sets out to purge the world of all who
oppose him and establish himself as ruler.
He summons Pokémon trainers Ash, Brock,
and Misty to his island fortress to prove
himself "the Greatest Pokémon Trainer in the
World" and to clone their Pokémon as
soldiers and citizens of his new world. Mew,
the genetic parent of Mewtwo appears in the
thick of things, and an epic battle between
cloned and uncloned Pokémon ensues. For a
synopsis of the 20-minute short film
Pikachu's Vacation, which preceeds
Pokémon: The First Movie
click here.
Positive Elements: Mewtwo
realizes that there must be meaning in life
("Am I only a copy? Just Mew's shadow? But
why am I here? What is my purpose?"). Ash
continually shows care for his Pokémon,
treating them as friends. The Pokémon
trainers are told to follow their hearts if they
want to become Pokémon masters. In the
end, clones and natural Pokémon are
recognized as both having worth and life is
viewed as valuable. The fighting between the
two groups for supremacy is viewed as
horrible and senseless (Pikachu refuses to
fight his clone; Ash gives his life to end the
battle). Mewtwo ultimately repents of his
meglomaniacle scheme and flies off with his
clones to learn more about the mystery of life.
He says that it's not how you're born that
matters, but "it's what you do with the gift of life
which determines what you are."
Spiritual Content: A prophecy is
mentioned early in the movie and initially
received with doubt, but it is proved true during
the final battle on Mewtwo's island. Mew and
Mewtwo have the ability to fly, communicate
without speaking, move people with the sheer
power of their minds, create invisible
protective shields and shoot balls of
energy.
Sexual Content: None.
Violent Content: While not explicit
or bloody, there is still an unusually large
amount of violence for a G-rated film. In the
first ten minutes Mewtwo demolishes a
laboratory and a Pokémon trainer's complex
(presumably killing everyone within both
structures), and fights scores of Pokémon in
arena matches. Ash also fights a trainer's
Pokémon to gain his invitation to Mewtwo's
island. Ash, Brock, and Misty nearly drown to
death in a storm. Mewtwo bashes up trainers
and Pokémon alike when they first challenge
his authority. In one terrifying scene, Ash tries
to save Pikachu from the bowels of a cloning
machine and is seized by scores of
mechanized claws. A fierce (and lengthy)
battle ensues between Mewtwo's and Ash's
factions with numerous scenes of Pokémon
being beaten into wounded exhaustion. Ash
runs between Mew and Mewtwo and is struck
down by energy blasts. Pikachu tries to
resuscitate him with electric shocks and
cannot (he is later revived through the
fulfillment of the aforementioned
prophecy).
Crude or Profane Language:
None.
Drug and Alcohol Content:
None.
Other Negative Elements: While
the messages about the value of life are good,
kids could easily misconstrue that one's
inherent worth is determined by what
he does. Parents should remind them that our
intrinsic value comes from the fact that we are
created in the image of God (Genesis
1:27).
Summary: Pokémon: The First
Movie, despite being poorly animated and
having a featherweight plot, has garnered
huge box office tallies and drawn in scores of
fans. Rampant popularity, however, isn't
sufficient reason for parents to cart the kids to
the multiplex. It's a wonder how this film
secured a G-rating. While not explicit and
ending with a largely positive message, the
violent scenes are bound to frighten some
children and monosyllabatic dialogue will
likely do the same to parents.
 eNewsletter
 Mobile
 Magazine
|
|
