TLDR;
The Random Movie Roulette episode features a discussion about "Digimon: The Movie," a film composed of three separate Japanese Digimon movies edited together with a new voiceover. The hosts share their personal histories with Digimon, discuss the movie's confusing plot and structure, and play a game of "Name That Digimon." They also review the trailer for "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" and critique superhero movie franchises.
- The movie "Digimon: The Movie" is composed of three separate Japanese Digimon movies edited together.
- The hosts discuss their personal histories with Digimon and compare it to Pokemon.
- The hosts play a game of "Name That Digimon".
- They review the trailer for "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" and critique superhero movie franchises.
Intro and Initial Impressions [0:01]
The episode starts with a comedic skit featuring characters blocking a Digimon show, setting a lighthearted tone. The hosts then introduce the episode's main topic: "Digimon: The Movie." Louis expresses his lack of enthusiasm for the film, while Mike admits to avoiding Digimon in his youth. Jack, however, reveals his fondness for Digimon and his intention to subject the others to a nostalgic but flawed movie experience. They also acknowledge Mark, the artist behind the episode's poster, which includes a humorous quote from Louis about the movie.
Digimon: The Movie Trailer and Personal History [2:54]
The hosts watch the trailer for "Digimon: The Movie," which prompts a discussion about their personal relationships with the Digimon franchise. Louis and Mike share their experiences of feeling alienated by the Digimon craze as children, while Jack expresses his fondness for the series. They compare Digimon to Pokemon, noting differences in plot structure and cultural impact. The conversation explores how anime was perceived in the late 90s and early 2000s, with some viewing it as a genre focused solely on toy collecting and battles.
Angela Anaconda and the Movie's Structure [12:53]
The hosts discuss the "Angela Anaconda" short that preceded "Digimon: The Movie" in theaters, describing it as disturbing and unrelated to the main film. They share a story about how the short allegedly led to a family's divorce due to its bizarre content and the parents' inability to understand it. The conversation then shifts to the movie's structure, which is revealed to be a compilation of three separate Japanese Digimon movies edited together with a new voiceover. This disjointed structure contributes to the movie's confusing plot and lack of coherence.
Plot and Standalone Nature [20:33]
The hosts attempt to describe the plot of "Digimon: The Movie," highlighting its fragmented nature and the lack of connection between the three segments. They note that the movie fails as a standalone entry point for newcomers to the franchise, as it assumes prior knowledge of the characters and storylines. The movie's structure is compared to a disjointed "Winnie the Pooh" compilation, where the shorts are taken from different points in the series. The hosts criticize the movie's decision to switch its entire cast in the third act, leaving viewers unfamiliar with the new characters.
Digimon Transformations and the Digital World [24:09]
The hosts discuss the transformation sequences in Digimon, noting their frequency and the unique nature of "digi-evolution." Unlike Pokemon evolutions, Digimon can evolve into different species and elements, with no clear linear path. The hosts also point out the movie's failure to explain how Digimon travel between the digital and physical worlds, adding to the overall confusion. The conversation touches on the idea of Digimon as NFTs and the dystopian implications of a world controlled by a Digimon virus.
Digimon Game [28:22]
The hosts play a game where they try to guess the names of various Digimon based on images. The game highlights the often literal and descriptive nature of Digimon names, such as Tyranimon (based on Tyrannosaurus Rex) and Birdramon (a bird made of fire). The hosts and chat participants struggle to identify some of the more obscure Digimon, leading to humorous guesses and commentary.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage Trailer [39:18]
The hosts transition to a discussion of the trailer for "Venom: Let There Be Carnage." They critique the movie's title, humor, and character designs, expressing disappointment with the direction of the franchise. Louis predicts that the sequel will be a rehash of the first movie, with the villain simply being red. The hosts also discuss Woody Harrelson's portrayal of Cletus Kasady/Carnage, noting his Carrot Top-like appearance and the character's potential connection to 5G conspiracy theories.
Superhero Movie Franchises and Morbius [47:46]
The hosts discuss the challenges faced by studios other than Marvel in launching successful superhero franchises. They criticize Warner Bros.' handling of the DC Extended Universe, citing frequent course changes and controversies. The conversation touches on the upcoming "Morbius" movie and the oversaturation of Spider-Man content. The hosts express burnout with superhero movies and question why studios struggle to create compelling and consistent franchises.
Outro [50:59]
The hosts wrap up the episode, thanking their audience and plugging their social media accounts and Patreon. They announce the topic for the next episode: "The Raven" and mention a Simpsons episode. They also promote their bonus content, including a commentary track for "Digimon: The Movie."