Netflix’s New Pokémon Movie: Comparing Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution With The Original
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Here are some comparisons between the original and the new version of Mewtwo Strikes Back.
The newly re-animated version of the original Pokemon movie, dubbed Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution, hits Netflix on Friday, February 27–known among fans as Pokemon Day, since it’s the anniversary of the original Pokemon games’ release date in Japan.
This CG version of the first Pokemon movie seems to follow the same plot as the original, according to Netflix’s synopsis:
“When researchers discover and exploit a fossil of the Mythical Pokémon Mew, they unleash a creation that goes against the very laws of nature: Mewtwo, a Legendary Pokémon intended for use as a tool of destruction. But as Mewtwo becomes aware of its own dubious origin, it begins to resent its human creators and seeks revenge–and Ash, Pikachu, and their friends find themselves at the center of its rampage! With the future of the Pokémon world at stake, will our heroes be able to overcome Mewtwo’s challenge…and will Mewtwo be able to find a new meaning for its life?”
Yup, that pretty much sounds like the original. That said, this clearly isn’t a shot-for-shot remake. Netflix sent us some new screenshots, and we’ve done our best to find comparable moments from the original Mewtwo movie in order to check out the new and old versions side-by-side.
For more Pokemon movie goodness, check out our reports on the Detective Pikachu movie’s ties to the original Pokemon film, the Easter eggs and references you might have missed in Detective Pikachu, and 13 examples of people eating Pokemon or making references to real animals in the original anime.
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In the original version, Ash battles this trainer before receiving the invitation from Mewtwo.
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It looks like the new CG version will keep this fight intact.
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This shot is recreated almost exactly in the new version, as you can see below:
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Pikachu is looking a little bit fluffier, but mostly the same overall.
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In the original, Brock is cooking some “lazy boy no-chew stew” for his friends.
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Looks like Brock is the de facto chef in the new version as well.
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Misty gets this hero shot in the new version.
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In the original, there’s no standalone shot of Misty appearing by herself, so here’s a screenshot of her and Brock toward the beginning for comparison.
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This shot when Dragonite arrives with Mewtwo’s invitation is recreated almost exactly in the CG remake, as you can see below:
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The only real difference is that Brock’s Vulpix and Misty’s Psyduck are also present now.
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Ash, Misty, and Brock stare curiously at the holographic message from Mewtwo.
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In the new version, the hologram is bright pink, and Brock’s adoration of the messenger is much more animated.
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This shot from the remake appears to be from near the beginning of the film.
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In the original, the group don’t take off running until it starts raining.
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The image below is similar to this shot of Mewtwo using his psychic powers, creating a blue aura around him.
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This may be the beginning of the shield Mewtwo uses to block Gyarados’s attack.
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Mewtwo effortlessly deflects Gyarados’s attack in the original.
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In the new version, Mewtwo’s clones of Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise appear to be present during this moment.
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In the original, the clones aren’t introduced until later–you can see them above.
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Disclosure: ViacomCBS is GameSpot’s parent company
