Pokémon movie trailer to be attached to Iron Giant

[08.03.99] » Mewtwo still strikes back, but is a title change in store?

   Attached to all copies of Warner Bros.' new animated film, the Iron Giant, is a trailer for the upcoming Pokémon movie. The Pokémon television show appears on the WB network, and the forthcoming movie is being distributed by Warner Bros., so the synergy of an attached Pokémon trailer is a no-brainer.

   The trailer begins with the ominous, gravelly, and federally mandated voice found on every preview: "Calling all trainers." A montage of dark blue and purplish footage appears on the screen, depicting an underground cavern filled with bizarre electronics and instruments. The narrator intones something about the nearness of the ultimate showdown between good and evil, etc. etc. The trainers arrive at a tall door and stand in awe.

   "This fall," drones the Voice, "training..." (numbered Pokémon flicker sequentially onto the screen in a blindingly accelerated montage) "is OVER." And on the screen, with a dramatic flourish, are the pair of Mewtwo (150) and Mew (151).

   We return to the mammoth door just in time to see the trainers open and enter. The screen goes entirely blue -- and the Pokémon logo zooms to fill the screen. The speakers blare, "POOOOOO-KEEEEEEE-MONNNNNNN (gotta catch them all!)," and the subtitle "The First Movie" appears beneath the Pokémon logo. A spinning Pokéball takes the foreground; a few moments later, Pikachu pops out from behind it and twitches, "Pika! Pika!" End.

   What can we learn from this trailer? First, judging from the reaction of the young children in the audience, the Pokémon movie will be a big hit. Second, the frequently bandied about subtitle, "Mewtwo Strikes Back," was nowhere to be seen -- only "The First Movie." The subtitle was also conspicuously absent from the promotional posters in the theatre's lobby. The GIA speculates that either the final subtitle is currently being reworked, or the film will be titled simply "Pokémon" or "Pokémon: The Movie."

   Gotta catch the trailer for yourself? Fans of Pokémon (and of good cinema) should see the Iron Giant when it opens in wide release this Friday, August 6th.