Brief Summary
The hosts discuss "Digimon: The Movie," a compilation of three Japanese shorts, and share their viewing experiences. They analyze the film's structure, humor, and nostalgia, and compare it to "Pokemon." They also touch on the differences between the Japanese and English versions, the soundtrack, and the overall coherence of the movie.
- The movie is a compilation of three unrelated episodes.
- The hosts discuss the humor and nostalgia of the film.
- The hosts compare "Digimon" to "Pokemon".
Intro and Recent Watches
The hosts greet the audience and discuss what they've been watching recently. CH watched "Rivals" on Disney Plus and "Gladiator 2," which he found disappointing due to poor effects. Alex has been watching movies with moral themes on Netflix, such as "Hidden Figures" and "The Green Book." James watched "Only Murders in the Building" Season 4, which he enjoyed more than Season 3, as well as the anime "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" and the manga "Dandan." He also finished watching the "Fallout" series and enjoyed it, despite not having played the games.
Choosing Digimon: The Movie
James explains why he chose "Digimon: The Movie" for discussion, citing its nostalgic value and the evolution themes present in the film. The hosts briefly discuss their personal connections to "Yu-Gi-Oh!" and "Pokemon," before James clarifies that "Digimon" stands for "Digital Monsters." Alex expresses his distaste for the Angela Anaconda short that precedes the movie. James then provides a brief synopsis of the film, which involves a powerful Digimon named Diaboromon taking over the internet and the DigiDestined working to stop it.
First Part of the Movie: Digimon Adventure
The hosts discuss the first part of the movie, "Digimon Adventure," which focuses on Tai and Kari's first encounter with Digimon. Alex found this part helpful for understanding what Digimon are, while James felt it was unnecessary exposition. They discuss the origins of Digimon, noting they are digital beings that can affect electrical devices. Alex found the film funny, particularly the jokes about Tai's frequent bathroom trips and his mom's bad cooking. They also discuss the unhinged nature of the film, such as the sudden appearance of a Digimon egg in Tai's house.
Digivolution and the Second Part of the Movie
The hosts discuss the concept of Digivolution, explaining the different levels and how it is often tied to character growth. Alex enjoyed the first part of the film for its nostalgic feel, but James felt the movie didn't work as a whole due to its structure. They both enjoyed the soundtrack, which included songs like "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies and "Kids in America." The hosts then discuss the animation style, which they found soft and expressive. Alex found it hard to follow the names of the Digimon.
Internet and the Second Movie
The hosts discuss the second part of the movie, noting the funny moments and contrived plot points, such as Tai's girlfriend being upset over a hair pin. They enjoyed the depiction of the internet as the "information super highway" and the use of Windows 98 software. Alex questioned why Tai became digital, while James explained that it was a plot device. They also discuss the fight against Diaboromon, which involves typing away on a keyboard and sending emails. James noted that in the Japanese version, Izzy's need to leave the battle is due to caffeine addiction rather than food poisoning.
The Battle and Omnimon
The hosts continue discussing the fight against Diaboromon, noting the use of nukes and the eventual defeat of the Digimon through the power of community. They discuss the technical aspects of the fight, such as the blue screen of death and the use of satellite uplinks. James explains the significance of WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon forming Omnimon, a powerful Digimon. The hosts also discuss the resolution of the love story between Tai and his girlfriend.
The Third Movie and Digimon Quiz
The hosts express their boredom with the third movie, noting that it is essentially a repeat of the second one with new characters. Alex disliked the introduction of new characters so late in the movie. James then introduces a quiz where the hosts must combine elements from different columns to create a Digimon. The quiz leads to humorous discussions about the strange and often ridiculous nature of Digimon designs.
Wrapping Up the Third Film and Final Thoughts
The hosts discuss the third film's plot, including the introduction of new characters and the return of older ones. They note the rough cross-linking between the films and question why the third one was included. Alex expresses his dislike for the third part, while James defends it. They discuss the ending of the film, where the virus is defeated and the Digimon returns to being an egg.
Final Verdict and Comparisons
The hosts give their final verdict on "Digimon: The Movie," with James finding it entertaining and nostalgic, while Alex found it boring and unnecessary. They compare the film to "Evolution," noting that both have similar IMDb ratings but different Rotten Tomatoes scores. They also discuss the cult following of "Digimon" and its appeal to fans of the series. Alex expresses his generalizations about anime fans, while James defends "Pokemon" as more inclusive. They conclude by discussing the differences between "Digimon" and "Pokemon," noting the darker themes and more complex narratives of "Digimon."
