Pokémon: The Movies 1-3 Collection (1998-2000) (Limited Edition)

[grim_tales]

Originally Posted by MisterPilgrim

The lack of bonus features and the shorts are pretty disappointing. However, being in Widescreen is a plus after Warner only released the first three in full screen.

I'm mainly buying it for Pokemon the Movie 2000. That was a great one, while the other two were just okay.



Yeah, the first movie was extremely dark compared to the later two.

[Show spoiler]It's got Pokemon beating the crap out of each other with their fists and teeth, and Ash dies for a little bit.

The 4th movie was pretty damn dark as well, imo.

[Show spoiler]There's some dude who makes Pokemon turn evil, and he captures a super powerful Pokemon, Cerebii. The story/themes seemed more mature than the 2nd and 3rd movies

[JJ]

Whaaaat? And a Steelbook? I'm in there for this three-pack, even though my nostalgia only extends to the first two.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Something interesting to note... on The First Movie and The Movie 2000's DVD listings via Amazon it states the Pikachu short being included:

"Pokemon The Movie 1: Mewtwo Strikes Back (DVD)

Pikachu, Misty, Brock and the other loveable Pokémon warriors bring their fun-filled adventures to the big screen! In a fantasy world populated by imaginary creatures called "Pokémon," Ash, a young boy on his way to becoming the world's best Pokémon trainer, finds himself up against the vengeful and genetically engineered Mew Two. Lured to a remote island, Ash and his friends must outwit their deadly opponent and his warriors in order to save the world. Fast-paced animated adaptation based on the hit TV show and card game that swept the world! Featuring original songs by Christina Aguilera, M2M and Baby Spice. Also featuring the 22-minute short "Pikachu's Vacation."

[tigertron]

Region A?! Why Warner Bros, WHY?!

[InuYashaCrusade]

Originally Posted by tigertron

Region A?! Why Warner Bros, WHY?!

Viz never does region free as far as I know. Can't you get the Australian release? Isn't that a different region?

[snakemaster7]

Dream come true FINALLY!

[kidglov3s]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Something interesting to note... on The First Movie and The Movie 2000's DVD listings via Amazon it states the Pikachu short being included:

"Pokemon The Movie 1: Mewtwo Strikes Back (DVD)

Pikachu, Misty, Brock and the other loveable Pokémon warriors bring their fun-filled adventures to the big screen! In a fantasy world populated by imaginary creatures called "Pokémon," Ash, a young boy on his way to becoming the world's best Pokémon trainer, finds himself up against the vengeful and genetically engineered Mew Two. Lured to a remote island, Ash and his friends must outwit their deadly opponent and his warriors in order to save the world. Fast-paced animated adaptation based on the hit TV show and card game that swept the world! Featuring original songs by Christina Aguilera, M2M and Baby Spice. Also featuring the 22-minute short "Pikachu's Vacation."

That likely explains the difference between the running times of the 3 movie sets as listed on Amazon:

Originally Posted by kidglov3s

Blu-ray listing: 255 minutes
DVD set: 289 minutes
http://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-Movies...on+first+movie

[kevin87]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Something interesting to note... on The First Movie and The Movie 2000's DVD listings via Amazon it states the Pikachu short being included

unless they're on the same disc, it's probably just the original discs packaged together.. or new pressings but basically the same content as the originals. Unless the shorts were the same in the US and Japan, they'd have to remaster the US versions for BD so that could be why they don't get released on the US BD set. I'd be fine with the DVD audio put over the BD video though

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Viz never does region free as far as I know. Can't you get the Australian release? Isn't that a different region?

Australia is B

[MaskedRider]

I've been waiting forever for these, if it's barebones I'd be completely fine with that. I'll keep my DVDs. Finally, we'll get them in widescreen too! I had bought the 2nd one from the UK but I only ever had the 1st & 3rd ones from the US.

[tigertron]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Viz never does region free as far as I know. Can't you get the Australian release? Isn't that a different region?

I didn't know there was but I'm about to order the Oz version, cheers.

[ParkerAL]

Meh. Viz has always been lazy when it comes to its Pokemon releases. Truly abominable picture quality plagues the season set DVDs and I doubt we can expect the company to treat the movies with suitable care.

Unfortunately, because Pokemon is a kids show, they can get away with handling it poorly. I'll just quote what I had to say about the Australian versions of these in the Anime section some time ago:

Originally Posted by ParkerAL

A lazy, lackluster, dub-only release of a Pokemon movie? Well I never!

No Pikachu shorts, really? Did whoever put it out at least use the proper aspect ratio?

As nostalgic as I am for these movies, that nostalgia doesn't override quality concerns and my distaste for hackjob localizations, even when applied to goofy kids merchandising movies.

[Mykonos_Fan]

Man, y'all are talking about dark elements in the films but didn't even bring up the darkest in movie 1?

[Show spoiler]In the first movie's story, the scientist uses his intellect towards cloning research for Giovanni/Team Rocket. He's not an evil man, but his daughter is dead and he's desperate to get her back through cloning. It's shown that his wife winds up leaving him due to the nature of his work, and all he's left with is his daughter, clones of the 3 stater Pokemon, and a young Mewtwo. Mewtwo befriends the daughter and other 3 clones, but one by one they pass away before his eyes as time passes. By the time Mewtwo has matured, the scientist has nothing left, and when Mewtwo rebels and destroys the factory, the scientist is killed.

This backstory was added post-theatrical, born from a JP audio drama that was adapted into an animated special, then dubbed for the DVD release in America...or at least, something sort of along those lines. None of this is anything new for anyone in the know, but it really gives a bit more background and emotion to the film if you didn't know beforehand. Definitely cements the first movie as my favorite.

If you'd like to watch it, it's here:

The Origin of Mewtwo - YouTube

[Kirben]

Originally Posted by Mykonos_Fan

Man, y'all are talking about dark elements in the films but didn't even bring up the darkest in movie 1?

I would be surprised if there are still many people that have not even seen MewTwo birth segments before, since they were added later.

Unfortunately I expect we will get the edited version of the first movie again, without MewTwo birth segments, judging by the Australian Blu-Ray release.

[ArnieCunningham]

Originally Posted by svenge

I was always partial to Pikachu & Pichu, as it gave us this unforgettable image...

Lol loved that scene. Sure brings back memories. even have the soundtracks too.

Pretty good movies.

[petspaps]

So for anyone interested, I picked up the Aus edition of this and posted a review. I'm assuming the two will be basically the same so feel free to sus that out if you're curious on the release check it out. If you got any questions though feel free to ask.

[dlavoie]

Originally Posted by petspaps

So for anyone interested, I picked up the Aus edition of this and posted a review. I'm assuming the two will be basically the same so feel free to sus that out if you're curious on the release check it out. If you got any questions though feel free to ask.

Petspaps, you say you picked up the Australian release? How's the video quality for these movies on that release?? Could you post some screenshots of them on here, or make a Youtube review video? I'd love to see how these look!

I haven't seen these movies in years....mine is already pre-ordered!

[petspaps]

Originally Posted by dlavoie

Petspaps, you say you picked up the Australian release? How's the video quality for these movies on that release?? Could you post some screenshots of them on here, or make a Youtube review video? I'd love to see how these look!

I haven't seen these movies in years....mine is already pre-ordered!

If I were to do one it would have to be like recorded on say an iPad. Could possibly get one up shortly if I get the free time or if people really want it. Um actually me and a mate did a side by side comparison with his copy of the DVD release that came out ages back. It was a solid improvement with the W/S (eg no picture cropping - true 16:9 rather than the cut 4:3 as it was originally intended) and a moderately sharper uncompressed picture. But like in the review, it was basically the sound which was the largest improvement. Absolutely blew the DVD out of the water.

Though there are NO special features at all.

[ArnieCunningham]

So nothing really exciting if just better sound. My dvds sounded good.

[Alan_Grant]

Pre-ordered!!! Keeping the DVD's for features, but awesome nonetheless. Hoping Origins gets released.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Originally Posted by Alan_Grant

Pre-ordered!!! Keeping the DVD's for features, but awesome nonetheless. Hoping Origins gets released.

Anything is possible at this point. A year ago at this time I would have never thought I'd see the day where Johto Journeys and the first three movies are back in print, and Viz has finally proved the fans wrong after years of waiting.

In fact I'd be surprised if Origins didn't get a release in 2016 for the 20th anniversary of Pokemon. It would be an excellent tie-in with the Red/Blue/Yellow eShop release in February.