Pokemon the First Movie: Was Pikachu miscast as Jesus?

If you didn't enjoy this movie, you gotta go play on some swings and find the kid inside you! Yes, the animation is primitive, and yes, the messages are simple, but let's face it: Pikachu is cute as heck, and children in single digits love him and his buddies to death. I don't like to use "reinforcement" to control kids, but I CAN get ten rowdy children to calm down a bit with the simple promise that if they listen well, their day will conclude with Pokemon Tattoos, which cost about $2.00 for a pack of 150. "I'm being a good listener, right?"

So Pokemon teaches violence, since all of the episodes, and the movie, revolve around the Big Battle that's about to occur? Well, no. Actually, Pokemon teaches mutually respectful competition, like sports. The kids I work with come from families where violence has been a part of life, and yet they are much more concerned with what "powers" each Pokemon has, and who "evolves" into whom, than with doing battle with each other. I can even talk to them about evolution "in the real world," based on what they've learned from watching Pokemon and trading Pokemon cards. They also enjoy educating adults about the different Pokemon, if you'll take the time to listen to them. Kind of empowers kids, don't you know.

If you want to teach your kids to be violent, let the watch WWF, or even Ninja Turtles.

And what messages did the first movie teach? Well, let's see: Our little friends start out on vacation and run into some new Pokemon with whom they appear to feel some degree of competition. Pikachu and Raichu almost run themselves into the ground racing with each other. But one of the Pokemon gets his head stuck (is it Charmander? I'll have to ask my kids), and all of the Pokemon, good guys and bad guys, have to WORK TOGETHER to get him unstuck. I don't mind that message.

And then we have Mewtwo, bitter because he was cloned by the evil humans and doesn't feel like a real Pokemon. Who wouldn't want to take over the world with such a tough beginning? So our heroes get into the obligatory battle with the troubled Mewtwo's evil Pokemon clones and Ash, our little human buddy, is KILLED! This is really sad! I think it's the first time I saw Pikachu cry.

Is he brought back to life? Well, I wouldn't want to spoil the movie, if you haven't been forced by threat of spilled ice cream and other evil child acts to rent it, but I will say this: Pikachu ends the ongoing battle with his cloned twin by REFUSING TO FIGHT--by LITERALLY "turning the other cheek"! Now, where have I read this message before? I remember it was a really long book with lots of "begats" in it. Hmm.

A death and resurrection brought about by LOVE? Strange thing to be teaching children.

Does Pokemon impart good messages or bad? Above and beyond the religious undertones, I think it helps kids with their categorizing skills, primes them for scientific learning, and teaches them about competition with honor, something I don't mind a bit.

If you really don't like the Pokemon phenomenon, be sure to see the South Park episode that brutally satirizes it, as South Park's delightful children become brainwashed by a cute little critter from the East. It's as funny as Pokemon itself is a part of today's child culture. I admit to having enjoyed it thoroughly.

Do I personally like Pokemon? Pika Pika Chuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!