TLDR;
This video is a retrospective analysis of the first American theatrical Digimon movie, released in 2000. It discusses the movie's unique composition as a combination of three shorter Japanese films, the changes made in the dubbing process, and the impact of its soundtrack. The video also touches on the complicated rights situation surrounding Digimon and its current status compared to Pokemon.
- The first American Digimon movie is a combination of three Japanese films.
- The dubbing significantly altered the tone and content, making it distinct from the original.
- The soundtrack is a defining feature, capturing the late 90s/early 2000s vibe.
- The final third of the movie is considered the weakest due to heavy editing and the introduction of an unfamiliar character.
- Digimon's popularity has waned compared to Pokemon, but it still maintains a dedicated fanbase.
Introduction: Bakugan as a Challenger to Pokemon [0:04]
The video starts by framing Digimon as a contender to Pokemon's cultural dominance in the late 90s and early 2000s. The author reminisces about his childhood love for both Digimon and Pokemon, highlighting the appeal of imaginary monster companions. He mentions watching the first movies for both franchises, noting that the Digimon movie holds a special place for him, evoking memories of a carefree childhood filled with fast food toys, the thong song, and Saturday morning cartoons.
Digimon: The Movie as a Time Capsule [1:38]
The video emphasizes that Digimon: The Movie is a time capsule, specifically of the late 90s and early 2000s American culture. The author points out differences between the Saban dubbed version and the original Japanese version, including changes in theme songs, character names, and Digimon names. The American theatrical release was not a full-length movie but a combination of three shorter features, heavily edited to the point of being considered an original work. The author expresses a preference for the dub, considering it a perfect representation of the era.
Soundtrack and Dubbing: Defining Features [3:15]
The video highlights the soundtrack as a key element that dates the movie in a positive way, featuring popular songs from the time that evoke a sense of nostalgia. The author argues that the dub gives the movie a distinct vibe, injecting energy, jokes, and humanity into the material, contrasting with the more serious and quiet tone of the original Japanese version. The author describes the original version as having Evangelion vibes, with the Digimon acting as forces of nature rather than friendly companions.
The Movie's Structure and Weaknesses [6:59]
The video breaks down the movie into three segments: "eight years ago" (Digimon Adventure), "four years later" (Our War Game), and "present-day" (Digimon Adventure 2). The author finds the first two parts enjoyable but criticizes the third part for its poor pacing, heavy editing, and the introduction of the character Willis, who lacks prior context for viewers unfamiliar with the series. The author mentions that the dub director, Jeff Nimoy, initially wanted to exclude the third movie due to its poor quality.
Digimon's Complicated Rights Situation and Current Status [10:06]
The video addresses the complicated rights situation surrounding Digimon, with the original American theme song owned by Saban and the movie rights now held by Disney. This makes rereleases difficult, especially with the original theme. The author notes that Digimon has declined in popularity compared to Pokemon but has seen a continuation of the original series and a steady release of games. The video concludes with the author stating his preference for Digimon over Pokemon, citing their ability to talk and evolve into various forms.