From one cinematic event to another, The Pokémon Company certainly seems intent on conquering the film industry in 2019. That campaign has already begun, of course, what with Legendary and Warner Bros.’ Detective Pikachu conquering box offices with its universal charm, but more is yet to come. A reimagining of the original film released all the way back in 1999, Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution is due to drop in its native Japan this summer and promises to be a treat for longtime fans.
Several clips and teasers have already been released for the remake in order to get the hype machine rolling, the most recent of which shows the film’s titular antagonist standing shoulder to shoulder with his fellow cloned Pokémon. For those that missed out on the original, Evolution plans to follow its plot closely, if not beat for beat. That means, among other events, that Ash will once again confront Mewtwo on his isolated island domain and be forced, alongside other Trainers, into doing battle against Mewtwo’s artificial clone army.
With that said, some fans have since taken to comparing both versions of the film side by side, the results of which are interesting, to say the least.
The new clip for Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back EVOLUTION (2019) vs. Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998) pic.twitter.com/TV0204oQLz
— Canipa (@CanipaShow) May 23, 2019
Clearly, a great deal of effort has been poured into mimicking iconic scenes from the original film frame for frame, though there are a few key differences. Those largely come in the form of varying angles and some additional camera work, but on the whole, there’s no mistaking the remake’s attention to detail.
The most major change, as if it needed clarifying, is the transition from hand-drawn animation to full-blown CGI production. Arguably, there would be little point in remaking Mewtwo Strikes Back had the same production method been used, but I can’t help but feel a lot of the original’s charm has been lost in translation. Nostalgia’s one hell of a drug, isn’t it?
Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution is out July 12th in Japan. For those not fortunate enough to speak the language, you’re best off waiting for the Stateside release currently planned for September.
