Search - Pokémon :: Birth of Mewtwo

Soundtrack CD gets a 5, but the drama CD is boring

Claire (samny@pipeline.com) | USA | 10/28/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD set contains two CDs: the original soundtrack to the film Mewtwo Strikes Back, plus Mewtwo no Tanjo (Birth of Mewtwo), a radio drama in five parts. I didn't really care about the radio drama, and listening to it didn't change my mind much. The pre-Mewtwo Strikes Back character development for Mewtwo somewhat weakened its character in the movie, and felt unnecessary. The drama is very talky, so if you're bored easily or don't know Japanese, you probably won't like it. The soundtrack, on the other hand, is great! It consists of strongly emotional tracks in the style of the TV series, but played with what sounds like a full orchestra and composed with a definite polish. Each track stands alone thematically, developing its own theme, but is orchestrated to match the on-screen excitement wonderfully. Some of the tracks are remixes of TV soundtrack tracks, but they're given enough new snazz to make a big difference. If you like Pokemon music or just movie scores, this is a good purchase. Oh yeah, and it also includes Mezase Pokemon Master '98, a jazzy new remix of the opening theme. U.S. audiences will never hear this soundtrack in the movie, as the American version is being entirely re-scored. You may have heard some tracks from this CD used as soundtracks in the American second season of the TV show, though. The good ones are from here."

What Could Have Been

Claire (samny@pipeline.com) | 11/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD drama adds so much poignancy to this already solemn movie, its really impressive. The background info on Musashi(Jessie)'s mother and Team Rocket is also interesting, and basically unknown to english-speaking audiences.The english version of Myutsu Strikes Back was a pathetically done rewrite, no doubt to simplify the story for US kids and their nonexistent attention spans. As it went, this surprisingly serious, poignant story about a creature tormented by the fact that he is a clone was never allowed to reach our shores. However, if you are a student of Japanese, or an older Pokemon fan, you will no doubt love this CD Drama, as well as the great original soundtrack music that unfortunately was replaced in the english version. Mew and Mewtwo fans will also love it, as it brings new depth to one of the more three-dimensional characters of the show."

Enchanting for all Mewtwo fans!

Valerie | Westford, Massachusetts | 01/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a fan of Mewtwo this is a must have! It is the biography of Mewtwo as kitten, before he struck rage against his life being an experiment. The CD is filled with beautiful background music, voices, vistas, and talks about three 'lost' characters: Madame Boss: The original leader of Team Rocket, as well as Sakaki's (Giovanni) mother. I find her very cruel, evil and dark. However, she was quite interesting to learn about. Miyamoto: Known as the legendary Team Rocket member, and also the mother of Musashi (Jessie)! She was assigned to capture Mew in the Andes Mountains, and something very sad happens. Ai-two: A 4 year old girl, who seeks friendship with Mewtwo and teaches him his ABC's and number facts! She was, in my opinion, the most facinating of the three 'lost' characters. Why? Because she is a human clone!"Myutsu no Tanjo" is an absoluting perfect CD. It is quite long, though, and you may not understand much if you don't know Japanese.Part two of the CD collection is a division of sound tracks. I found it rather boring, though the orchestra did have powerful music. I only recommend track 5 (I Will Be a Pokemon Master) and 25 (Walking With the Wind), due to these being the only songs with voice.And to top this CD off, it also comes with a book! 61 pages of beautiful artwork, text, and character profiles.Out of all the Pokemon CDs-I own most of them-I believe "The Birth of Mewtwo" is the grandest of them."