Why Mewtwo Was a Perfect Villain

[@BlueDrakma]

The old pokemon movies had so much life and charm, man. Especially the first 3

[@WildVoltorb]

4th is quite good as well

[@pikminologueraisin2139]

first 5* cmon heroes is dope

[@glendc2945]

@@pikminologueraisin2139 fine, I'll watch Heroes and '4ever again!

[@peterlisk3802]

@@pikminologueraisin2139fr love that movie

[@BASS_ORange]

I loved the Mewtwo ova, there's two, one is the returns, other is the mirage master. Didn't quite like the xy evolution tho, it's a different Mewtwo that one...

[@kode-man23]

I love it when you become an adult and look back on certain media that you consumed as a child and think “I swear that was actually pretty good”, and then it is actually pretty good.

[@jamessullivan1227]

SpongeBob movie.

[@simonramos5553]

Actual storytelling

[@lcppproductions7910]

It's even better when you appreciate the media even more as an adult. Atla is a good example.

[@kode-man23]

@@lcppproductions7910 I rewatched AtLA during covid, and I was soooo scared that I had built it up in my head and it could never live up to my memories of it. Nope, it was BETTER than I even remembered. I was blown away by how good that it was 😂 And it’s not like I was a little kid when I first watched it. I was 16/ 17.

[@lcppproductions7910]

@@kode-man23 I spoiled the whole show for myself and never experienced it raw bc by the time I knew about it the series finale was airing and I was only like 7 at the time so I just watched it lol.

[@tallskeleton]

No way this rock ain’t level 2 yet

[@AkaiAzul]

Obviously this rock is level one Hundred

[@icegangsta5161]

​@@AkaiAzul There's always that gen 1 glitch

[@anooslord666]

the only reason is because there as strong as they can already be :)

[@terpsidance.]

Rocks take thousands of years to level up and millions to evolve

[@theorangetrooper7603]

He levels up every 1 million subs

[@ZonamaPrime]

Pikachu trying to restore Ash with electricity got MY tears flowing... each and every time.

[@TheLaughingMax]

Grown up man seeing this and tears don't stop. What an awesome scene.

[@NeidalRuekk]

Still does.

[@jeffhough7460]

35 now it made me tear up back then and still does

[@Dagrizzb]

All the crying pokemon realizing a human was willing to give their life to save all of them. Then, those tears reviving Ash back to life. Damn! Incredible writing! Chef's kiss 👌

[@castortoutnu]

Instantly teared up at the first chuuuuu

[@morphstarchangeling8024]

That line is so powerful even to this day. "I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are." I feel like a lot of people could learn from this one simple line from the first pokemon movie.

[@thinkinginsideout4053]

preach brother

[@PERSONII3331PERSONIIEVER]

@@thinkinginsideout4053 hello

[@JohnnyNumber11]

but it isnt true. Sure, you CAN have success, when ure born in a poor family, but its much easier/more likely, when ure born into a rich family.

[@thinkinginsideout4053]

@@JohnnyNumber11 it depends on what you define as success. Like the OP said, "It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are." I may not be rich by your standards, but I believe I am successful and gifted enough to become blessing for those whom I was able to help and inspire.

[@footballholic_R10]

@@JohnnyNumber11 that quote does not imply what you are stating nor does it imply the opposite of what you said. More than anything it is stating that your personal situations that were out of your control don't define you, instead it is both your perception of the world around you and the actions taken throughout your life that ARE in your control that define you.

[@lilacocto9103]

Bless the YT Algorithm for delivering this to my recommended.

[@jamessullivan1227]

Just popped up for me. Just watched the first 5 minutes and I'll finish the rest later but damn. More thought and detail went into Mewtwo's backstory than all of many "modern" interpretations.

[@haydnplaysgames]

Agreed.

[@Ram0nAlan]

​@@haydnplaysgames One hundred percent.

[@romeosantos3261]

Yes!! Mewtwo has always been my favorite!!

[@curtisleblanc5897]

Same

[@almisami]

You focus a lot on Mew and Mewtwo, but Meowth being first to make peace with his clone is MVP here. They were first to realize the futility of it all.

[@RosesTeaAndASD]

Meowth was such a smart pokemon! It's a shame that the best he got in life was a life of crime.

[@zacross8504]

@@RosesTeaAndASDshouldn’t have assassinated JFK…

[@teobaldolendario8880]

A bit forced but okay

[@WoesToWither-rf4bp]

@@teobaldolendario8880 how the fuck is it forced? Its true, meowth made peace with his clone lmfao...

[@teobaldolendario8880]

@@WoesToWither-rf4bp _"We shouldnt fight each other, thats wrong"_ While: 1) he himself force fights for evil reasons all the time to steal Pokémon; 2) THE WHOLE FRANCHISE AND THEIR WORLD IS ABOUT POKEMON BATTLES. Mewtwo's speech saved this movie from having the most forced and contraditory message.

[@OriasRofocale]

I like how in the sequel Mewtwo just wanted to go on his healing journey and write goth poetry on his new private island.

[@rickydiscord7671]

"annoying humans. I'M WORKING HERE GET OUT!"

[@Abner-gu3ve]

😂

[@johannesbyfield7397]

Is this true?

[@BananaMike780]

@@johannesbyfield7397 sorta

[@OriasRofocale]

@@johannesbyfield7397 I think the movie was called Mewtwo Returns. Basically Mewtwo is hanging out on his new secret island home with his clone pokemon. I remember him waxxing poetically on life and his actions. Then Giovanni attacks and everyone's memories get wiped and Mewtwo decides to go travel a bit to do some soul searching.

[@hippothehippo]

Mewtwo using clone technology despite hating his own origin is so genuinely spot on as a negative trauma response. Often when we cannot understand something we look for answers in interacting with others. But in the negative response, rather than learning from them, we force them to experience our own trauma to make them understand it, which just perpetuates the cycle.

[@RuneKatashima]

Controlling the trauma, so you can pull back, sometimes is the only way. You really can't get people to understand your trauma if they didn't live through similar trauma. "Sorry that happened to you." Just doesn't cut it.

[@Jotari]

I can't believe they axed the Uncut Origin of Mewtwo in the international release. Like, that segment makes the entire movie. I imagine the first Pokemon movie in cinemas and I imagine kids cheering at how cool and awesome Mewtwo is while every adult in the place is board out of their mind already having tuned out of the movie long ago when it was just viking jokes. But man, if that first segment was in there, everyone would prick up their ears and pay attention because it just adds so much heart and soul to the movie and the character of Mewtwo specifically. Without that loss he is a pretty generic villain with a bit of angst, but seeing him as an innocent, seeing that loss of innocence and knowing exactly why he is the way he is changes absolutely everything. It elevates the movie by a ridiculous amount. Those five seconds alone of Dr Fuji arguing with his wife would have every parent in there sit up and say "Oh wow, this talking animals thing actually has some interesting stuff to say." I can only guess they removed it because they thought it would have been too heavy for the kids, but, like, fuck that noise, don't underestimate children. Amber vanishing is no worse than Mufasa being killed, but it's just as critical to the movie.

[@Ansible1000]

I feel the same way. My parents took me to see this movie and were bored out of their minds. That backstory would probably have changed their whole perception of the film.

[@Evilriku13]

*cough* actually 4KiDS, from what information I found out about it, only cut it out so the DVD release would have an extra reason to sell well. Aka fuck those fuckers! So glad that that company crashed and burnt so hard in the early 2010s!

[@BigHeadClan]

I actually feel the opposite, MewTwo is effectively a blank slate when he is awakened confused by his situation but highly intelligent and lacking any moral compass. He immediately sees and understands it’s not a living creature in the minds of its creators but an experiment or property, not their equals. His entire journey in the first movie is one of self discovery, learning that all living things are worthy of respect and to over come the hatred he feels for humanity when all he has seen is the worst of it in the uncaring scientist and manipulative Giovanni. Ambers backstory means MewTwo has experienced compassion empathy and love previously and he isn’t learning a new lesson but one he already learned which minimizes the events later in the film. It also makes it far harder to understand and justify MewTwo destroying the lab and killing all those scientists and wanting to destroying the world. Not saying Ambers story can’t work, but it something that should be present throughout the entire film to drive home the fact MewTwo is conflicted and it effectively has no presence or impact on the narrative later otherwise it just distracts from the themes of the movie.

[@BlackSun404]

@@BigHeadClan Hard disagree. To me it just seems like you missed the point entirely. Yes, Mewtwo had experienced compassion, but also deep sorrow at the loss of the only "people" it / he knew. He was tearing up, which with the context of the power that their tears have, is a tad bit more dramatic than you may give it credit for, honorable mention here. But, the main point is... He was left completely alone, after Ambertwo's memories that made up the simulation's world disappeared along with her. Being surrounded by that hopelessly empty void of cold, uncaring nothingness all on his own, with everything he ever knew having been ripped away from him. Feeling that same emptiness not just surrounding him but also inside himself as someone who had never experienced much of anything, Mewtwo very quickly went absolutely ballistic in sheer despair. Alarms blaring through the lab, the scientists prevented "the worst" by their definition, by robbing him of his five stages of grief, hastily sedating him in the middle of the second stage - desperate anger. Then they proceeded by ripping his memories, truly the one and only thing he still had, away from him while he was in that artificial coma. Before he could ever properly grief those that he just lost. And while the memories were removed, the melancholic emptiness of their traumatic imprint never was, effectively trapping him in a confusing, never ending grieving state he didn't know the reason for. Feeling desperately empty, like a dear friend of yours died and you suddenly feel like it happened, yet you don't know why, or even remember who. Which is, BTW, a horrific real thing and quite literally what he's feeling. It is entirely justified and understandable that his emotional lability at that point makes him go over the edge so easily, and so rapidly. Mewtwo is a profoundly dramatic character by circumstance, which you were supposed to feel compassion for despite his actions. As such, it doesn't just have an "impact" on the events throughout the movie, this IS the events of the movie. His entire being and all his actions were shaped through it, by the constantly conflicting beliefs he held along with the emptiness within himself. Only because he was desperately looking to fill that void somehow, he ended up fixating on taking revenge on those who wronged him. While he always "knew", life was supposedly wonderful, it conflicted with everything he felt and he tried to reject that irritatingly irrational thought, yet it just kept echoing persistently. Until he finally does find that lost piece of himself, filling the emptiness and granting him peace of mind, answering the very question he starts the movie off with - not THAT life is supposedly wonderful. But WHY life is truly wonderful.

[@DenerWitt]

People are way too sensitive nowadays and media reflects that. While we cannt expect children to comprehend complex ideas they are not that stupid and fragile.

[@Skip6235]

The studio: “Okay, so this is a kid’s movie based on this videogame for 10 year olds. We just need a simple plot to keep them invested for 90 minutes.” The writers: “Right, so here’s our nuanced treatise on the meaning of life and the futility of the quest for power in an uncaring universe”

[@stillbuyvhs]

Takeshi Shudo liked to sneak his personal views into his scripts. The less attention his producers paid, the more he could get away with. Apparently, while this movie was in production, ShoPro was doing damage control from Electric Soldier Porygon, so Shudo had a lot of freedom. Something similar happened with Minki Momo. The sponsor left, so Shudo decided to kill off the main character & reincarnate her as a regular girl. (He's the only writer I've seen credited for that series, so I assume it was his decision.)

[@isauldron4337]

Takeshi sudo was a madlad​@@stillbuyvhs

[@hoaujudaiyubel]

​@@tlst94 not very different, the first movie would be more like the 3rd

[@reffa2858]

Yes and seizure inducing flashes....

[@GldnClaw]

When writers evoke from deep within themselves, *that* is what makes for fulfilling media. Back when content of any kind was harder to make, the focus on essence seemed to be a little more forefront (of course, there's filtering bias. Shakespeare's contemporaries probably made a lot of sloppa that we'll never hear about)

[@tomnorton4277]

Mew was just as great a character as Mewtwo because it had absolutely no need to show off its power. When it did, it was awesome as it was the very first Pokemon to EVER give Mewtwo a run for its money in battle. However, Mew was so confident in its abilities that, unlike Mewtwo, it never needed to assert dominance, only ever fighting back in self-defence. However, in the original Japanese version, Mew was a lot more like Mewtwo. All that bouncing around took on a more sinister context because it wasn't just being playful. It was TAUNTING Mewtwo. It considered itself to be the superior Pokemon, to the point where it not only didn't take Mewtwo seriously but wanted to destroy it. Fighting defensively was basically Mew's way of saying "Pathetic. I'm not even breaking a sweat here".

[@lvl1rock]

I came across that in my research! That definitely reframes the battle in a whole new way 😂I decided to stick to analyzing the version I grew up with since that's what's lived with me all these years, but there definitely is an analysis to be made on the Japanese version or even comparing the two. Thanks for watching!

[@creeperman1295]

@@lvl1rock Yeah, looking into the Japanese version, I was kinda surprised that Mewtwo asks if he was made by God, and that Dr. Fuji basically compares humans to God in creating Mewtwo in the first place. Like how Mew changed, it kinda gives a whole different context to his character lol.

[@morphstarchangeling8024]

I heard originally Mew was supposed to talk like Mewtwo but they realized that it made Mew unlikable and chose to take it out of the movie.

[@souhaibdokkan5133]

You must review Mewtwo returns too it's the continuation of this movie and in it Mewtwo doesn't make everyone forget who he is I wish you can think about and have a great day or night ​@@lvl1rock

[@draketheduelist]

_Thank you!_ Ever since I got a bootleg VHS of the English-subbed first movie (yarr was a lot lower-tech back then and you basically had to know people) and then got old enough to realize what it was saying... Mew was an asshole. What cemented it for me was Mew's challenge to Mewtwo and the other clones. English Meowth may have gone on with some claptrap about the true strength coming from within, but in the Japanese the translation was essentially that, though the clones were engineered to have more powerful attacks, they didn't have more powerful _bodies._ Hence why the ending fight was just a messy bare-knuckle brawl. Mewtwo spends the entire movie having a prolonged existential crisis, while Mew out here be like "nah, I'd still F you up, loser." Thematically, the Japanese are very aware that nature is pretty brutal, what with all the earthquakes and typhoons they have to put up with. So I think the idea of Mew, this representation of pure nature, not being _good_ per se was more understood to the original audience. But in the West, it's typical to deify nature as some perfect ideal that never hurts anybody or has any violent tendencies of its own. Y'know, despite... pokemon battles. They literally fight (and implicitly kill) each other in the wild. (And _Digimon?_ Whoo-boy...) Pokemon trainers aren't really doing much more than guiding and tempering those vicious natural instincts to rip each others' throats out like something out of Happy Tree Friends. Japanese ecology is pretty metal.

[@MustDIEOracle]

Gosh why I still tear up for that Pikachu fight, such a beautiful art

[@Iruka1991]

pikachu trying to wake ash up with thunderbolts, as he always did in the anime because ash was a deep sleep, is what does for me. it's been like 20+ years and it still destroys me

[@RandomCarrot2806]

Those cries from Pikachu as he tries to shock his friend back alive still seems more heartfelt and true than almost every film or show I've seen since. Everything in that sequence is just so incredibly well done.

[@WoesToWither-rf4bp]

@@Iruka1991 na buddy he was DEAD

[@WSlaying]

“i guess we’re just here because we’re here” - Misty so simple yet deeply profound

[@Nick_Lima954]

Not really. You're using child like understanding. In reality, a Creator begets creation.

[@cassieandstuff689]

Lol 😂 ​@@Nick_Lima954

[@barccy]

@@Nick_Lima954 What is the origin of the creator?

[@fangsabre]

​@@Nick_Lima954 You're the one using childlike reasoning. Because a book supposedly written by sky daddy told you so

[@Nick_Lima954]

@@fangsabre The Truth offends, don't it? Anyway, YAHUAH is outside of this physical realm. He is Spirit (meaning a body can't contain Him). Jesus Christ is God limiting Himself as a man to live a fully Holy life in my place and die on the cross for my sins. He was buried & resurrected on the third day. He appeared to over 500 witnesses, spent 40 days on Earth before ascending to heaven (above The Firmament). He left us His Holy Spirit. To those that believe this will have the promise of eternal life & peace with The Father YAHUAH, forever. Amen. Creation comes from a Creator (the uncaused cause), just like a building is proof of a builder, & a painting is proof of the painter. Time, Space, & Matter came into the existence at the same time. God is outside of these limitations because He's Omnipotent, Omniscient, & Omnipresent. He's outside & throughout creation. Everything is by intelligent design sir. Takes a mind to create a Great Mind to create a lesser mind (mankind).

[@mrbubbles6468]

The real fun thing is OG Mew absolutely wanted to fight. The dub removed that and they still managed to make things work.

[@anemonemilyyy]

you had no right making this pokemon video essay so goddamn CINEMATIC (by which i mean you have every right, im in love with everything in this video, the soundtrack and editing are phenomenal and enthralling)

[@MassaruJP]

How dare him make me cry as grown man! God damn that pikachu crying took me 23 years to the past.

[@LATEXXJUGGERNUT]

The cut backstory of Mewtwo is crazy good, but they decided to make him more like the Abrahamic God....

[@akshaymurali1154]

The fact that Mewtwo used dragonite as a mailman is the best flex in my opinion

[@ArkadeChannel]

Shadow the Hedgehog and Mewtwo have VERY similar origin stories. Grandpa scientist sets out to create the ultimate lifeform. He creates a clone. Little girl gives the cloned being humanity. She dies. Humanity is taken away from the OP clone. They turn on humanity and search for purpose while causing havoc. Then the original lifeform sets the clone straight.

[@man_without_fear6518]

What is shadow a clone of?

[@DaveTheRaveyah]

@@man_without_fear6518 Sonic

[@man_without_fear6518]

@@DaveTheRaveyah hes older than Sonic...

[@juneru2]

@@man_without_fear6518 I think the "OP clone" he's referring to is the Biolizard(...?)

[@calebhoward6775]

@@man_without_fear6518Shadow was based on murals predicting the future of Sonic fighting Eggman (or the Biolizard I forget the specifics)

[@claytonharting9899]

I was named after a long line of broken men who hurt others, I struggled so hard to carve out my own identity, separate from them. Mewtwo’s line about your birth being irrelevant to who you are hits me right at the core every time I hear it This was an excellent analysis, I never realized how well put together this movie was, thematically. People dismiss children’s media and children themselves too often. It’s so important to have movies like this that mean something for children to watch

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

Yeah, where you come from is not as important as where you decide to go.

[@jaysearcy879]

@@HappyBeezerStudios I'm actually working on a comic book and for some reason what you said "where you come from is not as important as where you decide to go" just inspired me so much that is actually a great quote

[@zonefreakman]

The rub is that if your experiences defined us then we are chained to who we were taught to be as children. Our fate would have been chosen for us. Luckily that is not the case. We have the power of choice and to take responsibility over our lives even if we came from a hellish past.

[@postmelons2282]

They really don’t make movies like this anymore. Just so much effort, love, and intelligence went into these films.

[@Parciwal_Gaming]

I don't knwo if the first dr. Doolittle (the one from puddleby) Film has such a deep prfound meaning, but it is still a great film. The Song in the Court is so moving, if you haven't, you must watch it.

[@TheRealGigachad1848]

"Most importantly: they have conviction." Thank you. It's crazy how it's been portrayed in media recently how villains lack conviction (even when they very strongly opinionated).

[@Hakar17]

That and portraying them ad stupid is a serious problem. If evil was stupid thrn it wouldn't be dangerous and unfortunately in reality evil is both dangerous and quite often incredibly intelligent.

[@etherealstreamer]

I always thought Mew and Mewtwo were equals in their fight because, despite Mewtwo's edge in sheer power, Mew outclassed Mewtwo in experience and knowledge of how to use that power, which balanced it out. Contrary to what you might assume as a child seeing these two for the first time, Mew is millennia old, whereas Mewtwo is less than a year old.

[@rickydiscord7671]

basically proves that mewtwo well indeed be more powerful later.

[@ThePeterStuartPalmer]

Thank you yes - this was one of the two things I had to say which I haven't seen anyone say yet - the second being the other reason they fight on equal footing - at least in the English Dub, (dunno about the Japanese) Mewtwo is MASSIVELY handicapping himself to prove a point, suppressing ALL of the other Pokemons powers besides his and Mew's - well over A DOZEN OTHER POKEMON , HALF OF WHICH ARE SUPER CLONES (how has nobody else brought that up?)

[@AFeralTrout420]

That's a good point

[@nunobatista5822]

I always though mew was literally toying whit mewtwo, i mean he was barely trying. I alway thought he was trying to teach mewtwo some lesson

[@brightjovanny]

​@@nunobatista5822 Till this day, I still think the same

[@sazalamel4749]

For me it wasn't the contrast between Mew's and Mewtwo's philosophy but the unfortunately never really explored contrast between Mewtwo's and Meowth's philosophy. They both had a rather negative and defeating start in life but grew in such different directions. And, as always, Meowth never disappoints when he's granted some spotlight.

[@DreadeDragon]

9:09 someone pointed this out to me It looks like MewTwo built the machine’s grabby claws out of the bones of the scientists he killed

[@jakariashafin8685]

Holy shit

[@lyrimetacurl0]

"This is for everyone you liked! Eat lead, murderer!" "Hold your fire! This mewtwo isn't black!" 😂

[@insidious8054]

How come there’s electricity running through them though? Still a cool theory or fact if it is true

[@rickydiscord7671]

that would be a creepypasta short. "how mewtwo made the clone lab" he pulls a xenomorph using he's goo to hold half of his base together. than used the fresh of his human victims to build his lab while also using his "goo" to hold them together. than he's plan is now set. XD what do you think?

[@jakariashafin8685]

@@rickydiscord7671 eh the good doesn't make sense and is kinds just dull and unscary you should just focus on his memories about there cruelty as he tears there corpses apart ritting skin and meath torn away as skeletons remain and then just like there emotionlessness towards him he emotionlessly turns there bones into equipment treating like as a tool for the ideal of progress rather then the ones that progress was for life itself so basically focus on the body horror of crosses rather than mewtwo himself

[@ThePsh07]

5:20 Thank you so much for bringing this hypothetical 1v1 between Mewtwo & Lebron to my attention. 😂

[@ImaginaryNumb3r]

Creators like you are the best. Not a whole lot of subscribers, but full of passion, wisdom and knowledge.

[@dgrb1234]

One of my favourite parts of the movie is how Mew tells Mewtwo that special powers aren't indicative of true strength, it's the heart that matter and Mew's point just... completely flies over Mewtwo's head and he responds by... turning off all the pokemons special powers so they have to physically slug eachother, because that's *totally* what Mew was talking about lol.

[@williamwright4813]

I did not know about the deleted scenes from the start of the movie. They absolutely deserved to make the final cut. Those scenes give Mewtwo so much more character and make his line about choosing what to do with our lives gives us our identity so much more beautiful.

[@epicness877]

It still astonishes me that Mewtwo's Amber scenes were cut from many US releases. I didnt get to see them until a decade after id originally seen the film. It truly pushes the film another notch

[@Bridg3otto]

One of the more macabre elements i don't see talked about much is that Mewtwo's first clones were effectively recreations of the 3 pokemon friends he lost. It may not have been a conscious choice but i think on some level he just wanted his friends back.

[@AddictedGamerFIFA]

@@Othillde As well as someone that's abused is likely to become abusive. That's all they know despite also knowing how it made them feel, it's called the cycle of abuse. Mewtwo was just doing the only thing he knew until he was shown another way, thus ending the cycle of abuse. Just phenomenal writing.

[@G00MH5Y00TOOB]

what have i done to be so blessed with a rock upload on this day

[@TheTickler]

This video drew me in immediately, amazingly done. Would love to see you make more pokemon movie videos like this. Especially for my favorite, Spell of the Unown.

[@spirit5923]

That scene with the scientist saying how they succeeded was such an amazing scene

[@dropatrain]

Why's there always someone cutting onions nearby when I watch this movie? 😭😭😭

[@ShadowMage]

Stinking onion ninjas.....

[@OnionChoppingNinja]

@@ShadowMage you better sleep with one eye open tonight punk

[@typemasters2871]

Mewtwo created to be the strongest Pokemon but if he was created with present day Pokemon VGC knowledge then he would likely be a Fairy type with the armour Giovanni gives Mewtwo adding the steel type for Fairy/Steel

[@zMustyz]

When he started talking about Mewtwo being stronger than Mew yet unable to beat him, I was thinking, hmm probably has low IVs and a bad nature, whilst Mew actually got a good special wall EV spread going.

[@JaharNarishma]

15:01 that is a quotable line.

[@QenaitheCustodianGuard]

Pikachu repeatedly attempting to zap Ash is still so fkn sad. Super well done by the creators. Lion king level of sadness.

[@ElectricEdgewave192]

This is why Mewtwo will always, in so many minds, souls, spirits and hearts be the greatest pokemon 'antagonist'. Not only is he a Pokemon, he's just so 'human' (so to speak), a complex being scarred and heart broken, but capable of healing and mending. He suffered loss when he was just a child, he didn't know who or what he was, he lashed out against a world that sought to use him, placed himself atop of all that he saw, got taken down a peg or two, struggled against an undeniable equal for the first time, witnessed the bravery, sacrifice and selflessness of those he believed were beneath him, saw the light he he was told of by the one who lost so long ago and finally had a change of heart.

[@chouyuugoureplays3546]

bravo!!!

[@t850]

...Mewtwo's greatest power is his ability to change his core beliefs. Others acted good because they were treated good, Mewtwo acted bad because he was treated badly, but only he had the ability to understand why doing good despite the suffering has a higher "moral value"...

[@RobPrime]

Bravo! You deserve an award for this. The movie always hit me in the feels, but with the extra backstory and the way you lay it out, everything is so clear. I wish I could have seen this years ago. Great job!

[@liamscott1905]

@RobPrime I also liked how the actual series teased the movie with mewtwo cameos. It’s the only movie that’s undeniably canon, the other movies are maybe/could be canon at best.

[@DUKEHadToDoItToEm]

0:33 haven't watched the video yet I'm sure you'll get to it at some point but imo the purpose of a villain is important but so is the idea of power and not knowing how to control/harness it properly. Its what makes characters like Vegeta and Mewtwo and Tetsuo from Akira highly relatable and humanized characters despite the fact that they have the potential for godlike destructive powers And generally to go along with that power and potential for destruction, a humble/weak beginning is almost always a must

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

In one way the difference between a hero and a villain is how they choose to use their power. A hero is peaceful because they have power, but don't use it. A villain uses their power to do what they want with no regard to others. And yes, a good villain isn't just evil because there needs to be a villain. A good villain has understandable motives and reasonable goals, but it is their actions that makes them a villain. They use their power, their strength and influence to do what they see is right, no matter what the rest thinks about it. And usually those goals and actions go against the goals and actions of the hero.

[@Kmmlc]

@@HappyBeezerStudios The absolute best villains are the ones you root for. Tales of Berseria did this wonderfully. The main character Velvet is clearly a villain. She outright states that she knows what she is doing is harmful and makes her evil. Yet her specific goal is for the benefit of the world, and not in some Thanos balance way. She is specifically trying to prevent something from happening that will effect everyone on the planet negatively, and she is willing to use any means necessary to do so. And her own punishment for herself is to eternally prevent that event from occurring. She is absolutely a hero as she is trying to stop people far worse than her. But she is still a villain because of what she does to stop them.

[@asyrap6299]

This was lovley to watch, it was like you put what I had felt as a child first watching this movie to words. The editing rlly enhanced those same feelings well done! Ty for making this

[@footballholic_R10]

The algorithm brought me here. Didn't think I would stumble across such an insightful video essay about something that has been a strong childhood memory for me, you earned a fan with this one!

[@rondukefish]

That last ten seconds really got to my soul:,) Your content is truly something else!

[@Artemis_x98]

I'm speechless. This was amazing. Great analysis that genuinely made me tear up at the end.

[@hiimbolo]

every video is a banger, always excited when i see them scheduled. excellent work my guy

[@xxTC-96xx]

It reminds me how cool it was in movie 16 with “Newtwo” she never used her power to abuse others or wanted to destroy the world, she used her powers to protect and defend. It was a neat opposite goal for Mewtwo. In her story she was fighting another Pokémon just like her, Genesect, who did use it’s powers to abuse but she empathized with them and wanted to help

[@KiiroSagi]

Probably the best video essay I've ever watched and I say this objectively. Well constructed, well edited, very objective commentary and I think some of the best here is you didn't ruin anything with bad humor and just let the original masterpiece, complemented by your highlights and reasoning do the work.

[@m3llowrush]

THERE WAS A CUT PROLOGUE THIS WHOLE TIME?!

[@russellharrell2747]

Yeah, American audiences can’t handle that. So instead they get goofy short before the movie.

[@m3llowrush]

@@russellharrell2747 to be fair, that goofy short was also an important part of my childhood

[@Kragith]

@@russellharrell2747 It still wasn't as bad as what we got from the Digimon movie, a whole Angela Anaconda episode of them sitting in the theater wanting to watch the Digimon movie! It couldn't have flipped the audience the bird any harder. It was even included on the VHS tape!

[@TheNewyoker77]

7:40 this caught me so off guard i love it xD

[@FrostDrive]

This made me cry at the end. Such a great video essay

[@Phanton404]

1)This is a great video 2)This is how I found your channel 3)I hope this is the video that puts your channel on the map for many else

[@kyurei4478]

I've been waiting for years for someone to make such a deep analysis about this movie and Mewtwo's character because it's so well written and you did it masterfully. It goes far beyond just a movie for children and has no reason to be so deep and yet it is. Probably the reason why it will forever stay my favorite Pokemon movie. It's not just a Pokemon movie. The only thing that actually matters when it comes to leadership is strength. It's a neutral force that can be interpreted in many ways. That's why power is fueled by an inextinguishable greed on the contrary and someone compassionate can be strong. That's the truth of our world. Bless Takeshi Shudo.

[@bodkin8914]

Finally a youtuber who points out my favourite movie scene from my childhood... Mewtwo storm-hand-scene

[@julesrules7297]

The original cut of the Pokémon movie had Mew being a mocking jerk. I sometimes wish they'd left that in the final cut.

[@AkaiAzul]

Wasn't it racist? Saying something along the lines of clones are abominations and must be purged?

[@BeaglzRok1]

@@AkaiAzul Yeah, which would have been exactly the wrong thing for Mewtwo to hear. The closest thing he has to a parent shows up, and when he asks "what am I" it responds "a mistake." Personally I like the version we have where Mew just meets Mewtwo's Metal Sonic angst with "The originals won't lose because we're real" and Mewtwo misses the point that they're equally real.

[@goofywill90]

In the Japanese version. Mew wanted Mewtwo and the other clones dead.

[@RammingSpeed-lk8kk]

I'm going VILLAIN mode...would you like to join my army?

[@xAsiyah]

​@goofywill90 wut? 😨

[@Woozee_]

Yeah man, I cried watching this video. And! ... I sincerely thank you for making it. Not only is this video well produced, but it also gave me a profound perspective on a movie I have extreme nostalgia for. I liked your video and put it in a playlist of mine :) Great work!

[@HAMR13]

The rock army had been blessed with another banger!

[@brandonbermudez9047]

Your narration and passion for the movie and it's purpose made this video more impactful. Thanks for sharing!

[@SirPenguinPete]

Long live the algorithm, this is straight up gold! Great video my guy!

[@TomAmit42]

10:40 I love this video essay. But, in the original Japenese dialogue, Mew is not a friendly Hippie but an anti-clone supremecist. I wonder how this difference might effect your thesis.

[@m3nd3rbug48]

Glad I found you channel! Keep up the great work! :)

[@Bayan-yk4kr]

I’ve been going through the back catalog for a week now it’s great innit

[@Steamberg]

So, here i'am; sitting in my chair, crying. Amazing video, and your points are spot on! This video was hands down some of the best i've ever seen. Thank you for making this!

[@Torchico7]

This was an Arceus Tier video. Thank you YT algo, and thank you to you my man. Mewtwo’s story is one of pain and self reflection.

[@pilkkimies]

I honestly teared up while listening to your reasoning and analysing about the paradoxical existence of power.

[@Thehumblesquare]

What an amazing analysis of such a beloved movie. Well written and formatted. Your wit, humor, and that revelation at the end has inspire me to subscribe (: Looking forward to your next video

[@yung_the_inhaler941]

What a well rounded video man , I appreciate the sentiment at the end …powerful stuff 👍💯💯

[@elusivemayfly7534]

My GOODNESS, I have been SLEEPING on some of these Pokémon movies! I’m a little older than the kids that would have been into the first generation, although I’ve enjoyed several of the games and some adorable Pokémon plushies. But wow, this is great storytelling. Kids-and adults-deserve great stories, and this sure looks like it. Thanks for the video!

[@PaulusMikael]

This was beautiful.Thank you mr. Rock

[@JoeCreator]

I think that the brutality of the pokemon fighting physically, not with special moves is also moving. It shows real pain in a world already filled with battles and that has never been replicated again like it was here

[@AkimbooNoob]

One of the best videos I have seen this year. Thank you!

[@ShavsMediaProductions]

id love to see a character analysis of the 8th pokemon movie and the execution of Lucario and Sir Aarons character, and how Ash fits into it! I'd be SO HYPED to see that analyzed! Loved this upload! Definitely a sub! ✨

[@Sajgoniarz]

Dear rock, you rock abnd this is actually the one of the best videos i watched this year on youtube. Thanks for your effort, enjoy my like.

[@Chaesuria]

I caught this on my homepage, didn't realize you were a smaller channel until after. Well-written, executed, and quality. I've actually never heard of the cut content in the movie until now. Keep going! Sub from me.

[@zeevshaff]

Bro that ending was amazing, great video

[@8centjello636]

Insanely great video essay man props to you, keep up the amazing work!

[@alessiostaccioli9151]

I don't know why YT algorithm took me here, but for once, thanks to it, i saw this. Thank you mister Lvl 1 Rock.

[@PLaYBOiCArTIY]

thank you level 1 rock for another great video ❤❤

[@stepmy987]

Bravo to your story telling and delivery. You truly expressed your revelation from this nostalgic masterpiece

[@quibed5522]

I saw this movie in the theater when I was 6, and I cried like never before in my life. My sadness peaked when Pikachu tried to save Ash as he turned to stone... Damn, I'm gonna cry now

[@mrnygren2]

So based on the cut prologue Ash actually died, but was brought back to life by the Pokémon tears. Pretty dark, and we didn't really understand that he died because of the prologue being cut.

[@quibed5522]

@@mrnygren2 Probably made to not traumatize us (kids back then) even more :,). In the other hand made me love and respect real animals much more

[@TanoshiSan]

This was an incredible video essay, I look forward to watching more of these ❤

[@magebear7]

it's crazy how deep and impactful this movie for children ended up being. multiple quotable quotes, scenes that bring tears every time, it's amazing.

[@chouyuugoureplays3546]

without cgi and constant product placement, cameoes, and sequel hooks, you kind of have to develop a good narrative... it is truly a product of its time.

[@johnwiese6760]

Man i havent thought about this movie in years but seeing pikachu trying to revive ash INSTANTLY made me start crying. Shows how much of an impact it made on me when i was a kid

[@TaylorReedHudson]

Thank you so much for pointing out the tears of life foreshadows. I'm so tired of people saying it was a deux ex machina.

[@RJay207]

45 here. Didn't grow up on pokemon. Didn't even play one until I was in my 20's (Ruby, for the record). So, none of the movies really hit me hard as a kid. But I'll tell you right now that when Mewtwo first showed up in "Detective Pikachu"... I puckered. HARD. I love the character and he terrifies the shite out of me. Stupid as it is, Mewtwo IS an amazing "villain". Terrifying and sympathetic. And it REALLY can not be said enough: "I see now that the circumstances of one's birth is irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are." - Mewtwo

[@fatedkoga7482]

over twenty years later and this movie still makes me emotional

[@SL33py45H]

nah the last 1 min is pure motivation for a pokemon fan and what a great video and thanks for reminding me why i loved this movie and still love as much if not even more today

[@fettbub92]

Great villain, also a great character. Those early days of Pokemon media were fire.

[@Yuyaeiou]

This was beautiful man.

[@Rayotheprimal]

exactly why pokemon the first movie is my favorite pokemon movie and why mewtwo is my favorite pokemon of all time. i remember when i first watched the movie and i heard mewtwo's quote, it genuinely made me love pokemon and life so much that i now live by mewtwo's wise words. mewtwo is the true GOAT of pokemon.☺

[@brandondaniel2846]

One of my favorite movies of all time which cemented my favorite Pokémon of all time. Fire video. Earned a follow today. Looking forward to you leveling up, Rock

[@chunkykong01]

Absolutely amazing video, subscribed!!

[@Omnitual]

So much about the scientists backstory i don't remember from that movie in my childhood, might have to give this a rewatch. great vid

[@Enderpig124]

6:48 ah yes, another villain

[@BlueShiny4Bowser]

This script is beautifully and well written! It reminds me of how I used to write stories and explain philosophies.

[@Deadsies556]

This rock really elevates my favorite childhood moments

[@DevikaBTS-qu4op]

you are my favourite youtuber ever. It took you one (AMAZING SPECTACULAR) video to achieve that. oh my god.

[@DelindaArts]

Thank you Rock for another banger and I know bangers

[@BrazilianMongoose]

I love your voice, it really fits this kind of video. You did a great job, keep it up

[@hiddenleif6854]

Mew was my favorite anime character from like, any anime, for a long time.

[@robertfox1401]

What a great video. The first pokemon movie was one of the things that informed my childhood. I never realized how much I learned from it about compassion and empathy until I watched it again as an adult. Thank you for reminding me of that.