TLDR;
In this episode of Kino Inferno, the hosts, along with guest Abdul, discuss and review two aggressively 2000s movies: "Pokemon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back" and "Digimon: The Movie". They examine the cultural impact of Pokémon and Digimon, the plot and themes of each movie, and their personal experiences with the franchises. Ultimately, both movies are deemed infernos, with "Digimon: The Movie" being slightly more enjoyable due to its animation and the "Summer Wars" section.
- The hosts discuss "Pokemon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back" and "Digimon: The Movie", analyzing their plots, characters, and cultural impact.
- They share personal anecdotes and memories related to the Pokémon and Digimon franchises.
- Both movies are ultimately deemed infernos, with "Digimon: The Movie" being slightly more enjoyable due to its animation and the "Summer Wars" section.
Intro: Digital World and Movie Selection [0:04]
The hosts find themselves in a digital world and introduce guest Abdul. They plan to discuss two movies from the late 90s and early 2000s: "Pokemon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back" and "Digimon: The Movie". The hosts joke about the aggressive marketing and questionable quality of these films, setting the stage for a critical review.
Early 2000s Internet and Movie Introductions [4:01]
The hosts reminisce about the early days of the internet, highlighting the slow dial-up speeds and high costs. They transition into introducing the two movies they will be discussing: "Pokemon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back" and "Digimon: The Movie". Mark expresses a preference for one of the films, while Aiden is wearing Pikachu merchandise, indicating a potential bias.
Pokemon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back [5:52]
Aiden introduces "Pokemon: The First Movie," released in 1998, focusing on Mewtwo, a clone of Mew, who seeks to dominate all Pokémon. The movie involves Mewtwo challenging trainers to battle, cloning their Pokémon, and a tragic event. The hosts share their initial thoughts, with Aiden noting the strong, existential opening and Mark expressing a less favorable opinion.
Pikachu's Vacation and Pokemon Pandemonium [10:00]
The hosts discuss "Pikachu's Vacation," a 20-minute short preceding the "Pokemon" movie, which Mark found torturous. The short depicts Pokémon on a holiday island resolving differences through a race, highlighting the contrast between their natural behavior and the blood sport of Pokémon battles. They also touch on the Pokémon craze, comparing it to a crack addiction and noting the extreme behavior it inspired among children.
Pokemon's Dark Underbelly and the Movie's Plot [13:58]
The hosts discuss the dark implications of Pokémon battles and the ethical questions raised by the franchise. They touch on the ubiquity of Pokémon at the time of the movie's release, the banning of Pokémon cards in schools due to fights, and the emotional impact of the film on millennials. Aiden expresses his desire to hunt Pokémon if he lived in that universe.
The Squad and the Theme Song [22:11]
The hosts describe the main characters: Ash Ketchum, Brock, and Misty, along with Team Rocket. They critique the characters' personalities and highlight Team Rocket as the best part of the franchise. They also discuss the remixed theme song in the movie, which they find inferior to the original.
The Storm and the Invitation [27:36]
The characters seek shelter in a Pokémon center during a storm caused by Mewtwo. They receive holographic invitations to Mewtwo's laboratory, delivered by Dragonite. The hosts discuss the strange characters they encounter, including a Transylvanian woman, and the philosophical implications of the Pokémon master's heart being filled with courage.
Mewtwo's Island and Nurse Joy [30:40]
The characters arrive at Mewtwo's island after a perilous journey. They are greeted by a mind-controlled Nurse Joy, leading to a discussion about the strange healthcare system in the Pokémon universe, where every town has a Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny. The hosts make references to anime and discuss the plot's progression.
The Battle Begins and Mewtwo's Strategy [33:51]
The Pokémon trainers realize they are facing Mewtwo, who challenges them to battle. Mewtwo uses his powers to transform the trainers' starter Pokémon into their final forms and then clones everyone's Pokémon. He takes away their powers, leading to a slap fight. The hosts critique Mewtwo's battle strategy of simply slamming people into walls.
Mew vs. Mewtwo and Ash's Sacrifice [37:08]
Mew appears, leading to a battle between Mew and Mewtwo. The clone and original Pokémon engage in a slap fight. Ash tries to stop the fighting and is hit by laser bolts, turning to stone. The hosts discuss the emotional impact of this scene and the song that plays during it.
Ash's Resurrection and the Movie's Pointless Ending [43:38]
The Pokémon cry, and their tears revive Ash. Mewtwo realizes the value of love and decides to erase everyone's memories of the event, sending them back to their regular lives. The hosts criticize the pointless ending, where no one learns anything, and Mewtwo's character arc is unresolved.
Japanese Version and Detective Pikachu [47:34]
The hosts discuss the longer Japanese version of the movie, which includes additional backstory for Mewtwo. They also mention Mewtwo's role in "Detective Pikachu," where Bill Nye voices the character. They share anecdotes about Bill Nye's enthusiasm for Pokémon and Patrick Stewart's love for Beavis and Butthead.
Final Thoughts on Pokemon and Nostalgia [52:10]
The hosts discuss why the movie is nostalgic for many people, attributing it to the height of "Pokemania" and the associated merchandise. They critique the film's lip service to substance and its ultimate purpose of fueling the capitalist machine. Aiden likens nostalgia to a cancer and declares Pokémon a war crime.
Pokemon: Inferno Verdict and Digimon Introduction [1:00:06]
The hosts give their final verdicts, with all three agreeing to put "Pokemon: The First Movie" in the inferno. They criticize the movie's lack of substance and its role in promoting consumerism. They transition to discussing "Digimon: The Movie," introducing the franchise and its origins as a Tamagotchi spin-off aimed at boys.
Digimon: The Movie - Plot and Angela Anaconda [1:09:11]
Aiden summarizes the plot of "Digimon: The Movie," a Frankenstein movie compiled from three Digimon short films. He describes the three sections: Tai and Kari meeting a Digimon, a computer virus wreaking havoc on the internet, and a new group of teenagers dealing with a corrupted Digimon. The hosts then discuss the inclusion of the "Angela Anaconda" short before the movie, a cross-promotion that was poorly received.
Angela Anaconda's Impact and Digimon's Premise [1:15:43]
The hosts discuss the negative reception to the "Angela Anaconda" short and its impact on viewers. They explain that Digimon are digital monsters from the internet, an alternate dimension accessible through technology. The series started as an attempt to market Tamagotchi-style products to boys.
Digimon's World and the Movie's Structure [1:23:30]
The hosts describe the Digimon world and the anime series, noting its serialized nature and character development. They discuss the "Digimon World" PS1 game and its unique features, such as meat farms. They also explain the digivolution process and the different forms Digimon can take.
Digimon Movie: First Chapter and Digi-Rap [1:29:27]
The hosts discuss the first chapter of the movie, noting its cutesy anime style and the absence of Tai's father in the English dub. They also mention the "Digi-Rap," a promotional song that precedes the movie, which they find universally unappealing.
Digimon Movie: Our War Game [1:39:10]
The hosts discuss the "Our War Game" section of the movie, directed by Mamoru Hosoda, which they consider the best part. They praise the character drama and the action sequences, noting the high stakes and the ticking clocks. They also discuss the dubbing and the character interactions.
Digimon Movie: The Power of Love and Ty's Mom [1:46:53]
The hosts discuss the power of love and friendship in the movie, as well as the recurring joke about Ty's mom's terrible cooking. They critique the character of Ty and praise Mimi for her indifference to the digi-destined mission. They also discuss the fusion of digimon and the appearance of Omnimon.
Digimon Movie: The Final Chapter and Smash Mouth [2:03:01]
The hosts discuss the final chapter of the movie, which introduces new protagonists and a new type of digivolving. They critique the lack of character development and the nonsensical plot. The movie ends with the villain dancing to Smash Mouth, which the hosts find particularly egregious.
Digimon Movie: Music and Final Thoughts [2:12:22]
The hosts discuss the movie's soundtrack, including Fatboy Slim, Bare Naked Ladies, and Smash Mouth. They express their dislike for the final chapter and its lack of tonal consistency. Mark states that he enjoyed Digimon more than Pokemon, but still found it to be a slog.
Digimon: Inferno Verdict and Outro [2:19:41]
The hosts give their final verdicts, with all three agreeing to put "Digimon: The Movie" in the inferno, though not as enthusiastically as "Pokemon: The First Movie". They wrap up the episode, promoting their social media channels and offering a final word of caution to listeners.