TLDR;
In this episode of Two Dudes Watch Cartoons, Evan and Alex are joined by Courtney to discuss Digimon: The Movie (2000). They explore the movie's history as a compilation of three separate Japanese shorts, its cultural impact, and its relation to the Digimon anime series. They compare it to Pokemon: The First Movie, analyzing the animation, soundtrack, and character development. The hosts and guest share personal anecdotes and discuss the movie's legacy, ultimately rating it highly despite its flaws.
- The movie is a compilation of three separate Japanese shorts.
- Digimon has deeper storylines and more complex characters than Pokemon.
- The movie's soundtrack is iconic and features popular songs.
- Despite its flaws, the movie is a nostalgic and enjoyable experience.
Intro [0:00]
Evan and Alex introduce the episode, mentioning their remote podcasting setup using Riverside.fm. They are joined by Courtney to discuss Digimon: The Movie (2000), also known as Digimon Adventure 2000. Courtney expresses her excitement to revisit something she loves and analyze it with both adult and child perspectives.
Digimon vs. Pokemon [1:56]
The group discusses the Digimon versus Pokemon rivalry, noting Digimon's initial creation as a toy product and the anime's subsequent free rein in storytelling. They mention that Digimon technically hit the US market first, though it didn't gain popularity until Pokemon's rise. Courtney recalls watching multiple Digimon seasons and appreciates the interconnectedness of the Digimon series and movies.
Three Movies Stitched Together [5:37]
The conversation shifts to the revelation that Digimon: The Movie is actually three separate movies stitched together. Despite the movie's low Rotten Tomatoes score, Alex argues that the three parts make a cohesive story. The first part introduces Tai's initial encounter with Digimon, which doesn't fit into established lore.
Angela Anaconda Intro [8:12]
The hosts and Courtney discuss the Angela Anaconda short that precedes the movie. They describe the animation style as magazine clippings with drawn features, similar to stop motion. The short is considered corny, out of place, and too long, with Courtney suggesting it would have been better as a simple "turn off your cell phone" reminder.
Movie Facts and Segments [10:57]
The group discusses the movie's box office success relative to its budget and its structure as three interconnected shorts: Digimon Adventure, Digimon Adventure: Our War Game, and Digimon Adventure 02: Digimon Hurricane Touchdown!!/Transcendent Evolution!! The hosts share their experiences of realizing the movie was made of three different parts.
Digimon Names and Movie Plot [12:25]
The panel talks about the names of Digimon, such as Parrotmon and Hawkmon. They discuss the middle part of the movie, noting that not all of the original season one characters are present. The characters are on summer vacation, and the plot involves a virus.
Digi Eggs and Technology [19:05]
The group discusses the Digi eggs and how they connect the three parts of the movie. They also talk about how the movie captured the technologically driven society of the late 1990s and early 2000s, including dial-up internet and email.
Favorite Characters and Female Representation [26:52]
The hosts and Courtney share their favorite characters, including Tai, Izzy, and Ki. They discuss the personalities of the characters and the female representation in Digimon compared to other animes. Digimon has three or four female characters with distinct personalities, unlike many animes that focus on one main female character as a love interest.
Deep Themes and Humor [30:58]
The group discusses the deeper themes in Digimon, such as divorced parents and adoption, which add a layer of complexity to the characters' lives. They also highlight the humor in the movie, including translation jokes and subtle gags.
Production and Voice Acting [36:21]
The panel discusses the production of the movie, noting that it was a mandate from Saban Entertainment to turn three movies into one theatrical release. They also praise the voice acting, particularly Joshua Seth, who voiced both Tai and Kida in Akira.
Rotten Tomatoes and Plot Holes [38:47]
The hosts discuss Rotten Tomatoes reviews of the movie, noting that some critics found it strictly for kids. They also point out plot holes, such as how the characters stop missiles with only seconds to spare.
Third Movie Segment [39:43]
The group agrees that the third segment of the movie is the weakest, with pacing issues and animation that doesn't hold up as well as the first two segments. However, they praise the new characters and Digimon designs in the third segment, particularly Terriermon.
Virus and Digital World [45:39]
The panel discusses the virus in the middle portion of the movie and the distinction between the digital world and the internet. They also talk about Omnimon, a Digimon that appears randomly and is created by fusing WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon.
Availability and Nostalgia [48:13]
The group notes that the movie is currently hard to find but will be re-released by Discotek Media with the original voice cast. They share nostalgic memories of watching the movie as kids and the joy of rediscovering it as adults.
Soundtrack [56:39]
The hosts and Courtney discuss the movie's soundtrack, which includes songs by Bare Naked Ladies and Smash Mouth. They note that the soundtrack is iconic and adds to the movie's nostalgic appeal.
Letterboxd Reviews [1:02:35]
The group reads Letterboxd reviews of the movie, sharing various opinions and ratings. They also discuss a recent revelation about a PR firm manipulating Rotten Tomatoes scores.
Digimon vs. Pokemon: Final Thoughts [1:05:14]
The hosts and Courtney debate whether they would delete Digimon: The Movie or Pokemon: The First Movie from the digital world forever. They ultimately agree that Digimon: The Movie is more enjoyable, citing the emotional highs and unique characters.
Ratings and Closing Thoughts [1:15:44]
The hosts and Courtney reveal their final ratings for the movie, with most settling on four out of five stars. They express their excitement for the upcoming re-release and the possibility of revisiting the movie in a future episode.
WGA Strike and Outro [1:21:38]
Evan shares a brief update on the WGA strike, noting that there is some disagreement among the AMPTP. The hosts thank Courtney for joining them and encourage listeners to check out their other episodes and follow them on social media.