Pokémon: The First Movie Poster
Adventure
Animation
Family

Pokémon: The First Movie (1998) Review in 2025

6.5/10
Blockbuster

Pokémon: The First Movie is a 1998 animated film that follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his Pokémon friends as they battle against the evil Mewtwo.

1 hour 39 minutes
Japanese (Dubbed: English)
Age group: 6-16, Interests: Pokémon, Animation
Director:
Junichi Sato
Budget: 30 million USD
Gross: 361 million USD

Family-Friendly Rating

Is this movie suitable for family viewing?

This movie is suitable for family viewing, but some scenes may be too intense for very young children.

CineReview Recommendation

This movie is worth watching for any Pokémon fan, but it's not essential viewing. If you're looking for a more complex story, you might want to skip this one.

Spoiler Alert!

Hover to reveal spoiler summary

The movie revolves around the creation of Mewtwo, a genetically modified Pokémon with incredible powers, and its subsequent escape from its creators. Ash and his friends must stop Mewtwo from wreaking havoc on the world.

Review Details

story7.00/10

The story is engaging, but it's not as complex as some other Pokémon movies. The plot is fairly straightforward, and the pacing is a bit slow at times.

acting7.00/10

The acting is good, but it's not particularly impressive. The voice actors do a great job bringing the characters to life, but their performances are not particularly nuanced.

characters8.00/10

The characters are well-developed, especially Ash and his friends. Mewtwo is also a compelling villain, but its motivations could be explored more deeply.

direction7.00/10

The direction is solid, but it's not particularly memorable. The animation is nice, but it's not as impressive as some other animated films.

cinematography8.00/10

The cinematography is excellent, with some beautiful shots of the Pokémon and their habitats. The action scenes are also well-choreographed.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The movie has some great action scenes, and the animation is nice. The characters are well-developed, and the story is engaging.

Cons

The plot is a bit predictable, and the pacing is slow at times. The direction is not particularly memorable, and the acting is not impressive.

Notable Quotes

"I choose you!"
"Pikachu, I choose you!"

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