TLDR;
In this episode of the Need to Nerd podcast, Spencer and West discuss "Digimon: The Movie," sharing fond childhood memories and analyzing its themes. They explore the film's three-part structure, its portrayal of character growth, and its impact on viewers. They also discuss the discord server for the podcast.
- The movie explores the impact of technology on society through the lens of children and their Digimon partners.
- The hosts analyze the character development, particularly focusing on Tai's growth and Kari's role as the narrator.
- They discuss the soundtrack and the emotional depth of the film, highlighting its themes of friendship, caring, and personal growth.
Intro [0:00]
Spencer introduces the episode and his co-host, West, joking about West's Twitter name. They announce that they will be discussing "Digimon: The Movie," a film that holds nostalgic value for many. Spencer mentions the positive responses he received on Twitter when he shared that he was watching the movie for the episode, indicating the film's popularity. They promote their public Discord server, inviting listeners to discuss Digimon, tabletop RPGs, and participate in tournaments.
TLDR; and Selling the Movie [3:13]
West provides a brief summary of "Digimon: The Movie," highlighting its themes of technology's impact on society and the challenges faced by children. Spencer breaks down the film's structure into three parts: eight years ago, four years later, and present day, noting its placement within the Digimon timeline. He also mentions a short before the film, which he dislikes. West sells the film to both newcomers and long-time Digimon fans, emphasizing its touching stories of kids and their monsters, and the depth given to the characters. He points out that the characters are allowed to have struggles, learn from mistakes, and grow, unlike Ash Ketchum from Pokemon.
First Impressions and Spoiler-Free Recommendations [10:20]
Spencer shares his first impressions of the film, recalling watching it with his brother and playing with the associated toys. He emphasizes the joy the film brought him as a child and its themes of friendship and partnership. West also shares his experience of repeatedly renting the movie from Blockbuster and how much it meant to him. Both hosts recommend watching the film, even without prior knowledge of the anime, before proceeding to the spoiler section of their discussion. They suggest that the movie does a good job of explaining who the main characters are, such as Kari, Tai, Davis, and Willis.
Favorite Storyline [17:35]
Spencer discusses his favorite storyline, focusing on Tai's efforts to comfort Sora and their evolving friendship. He appreciates Tai's growth and his attempts to communicate with Sora in a way that she understands. West shares his favorite storyline, highlighting Kari's role as the narrator and her presence in every arc of the film. He believes Kari outdoes herself as a character, despite the constraints she faces.
Favorite Moment [29:52]
West shares his favorite moment: the sequence where Tai falls through the computer and Greymon and MetalGarurumon form Omnimon. Spencer's favorite moment is when Terriermon tells Davis that he will always be there for him. They also discuss the golden armor digivolution and Gatamon's reaction to it.
Favorite Character [34:16]
West reveals Kari as his favorite character in the film, appreciating her role as the narrator. He also acknowledges Sora's reduced role but praises her support for Tai. His favorite Digimon is Terriermon, noting his growth in the film. Spencer's favorite Digimon is V-Mon, highlighting his supportive yet contrasting relationship with Davis. He also shares that Tai is his favorite character in the film because of his visible growth and his desire to help others.
Things to Change [47:30]
Spencer expresses his dislike for how Matt is treated in the film, feeling he is often the butt of jokes despite his emotional weightlifting. He also wishes Mimi had a more meaningful role. West would expand Kari and Gatomon's roles and prefers the film to be released as the three original films cut together to make sense.
Final Takeaway [55:52]
West says that he will remember the soundtrack the most from this film. Spencer's takeaway is the importance of remembering connections and caring for others, even in difficult times. They encourage listeners to watch the Crunchyroll reboot of Digimon Adventure.
Rating and Outro [1:00:02]
Spencer rates the film a 4 out of 5, while West gives it a 3.5 out of 5, citing issues with the English adaptation and Matt's portrayal. They encourage listeners to leave comments with their own ratings and thoughts on the movie. They provide their social media handles, promote their Discord server, and thank listeners for tuning in.