TLDR;
This podcast episode reviews the Digimon the Movie, released in 2000, which is a compilation of three shorter Digimon films: Digimon Adventure, Our War Game, and Digimon Adventure 02: Hurricane Touchdown!! The hosts discuss trivia, changes made for the English dub, and their personal experiences with the movie. They break down each segment, discussing plot points, animation, music, and how each fits into the broader Digimon canon.
- The movie is a compilation of three shorter Digimon films.
- The English dub made significant changes, including cutting scenes and altering the soundtrack.
- The hosts share personal experiences and opinions on each segment of the movie.
Intro and Trivia [0:29]
The hosts greet listeners and wish them a happy New Year, celebrating by discussing Digimon the Movie. They note the existence of a new version containing all three movies uncut for the first time, but they chose to review the original dubbed version. The movie was released on October 6, 2000, after Digimon Adventure 02 had started airing. It combines Digimon Adventure, Our War Game, and Digimon Adventure 02: Hurricane Touchdown!! The movie was edited to compete with Pokemon movies, resulting in over 40 minutes of cut scenes, affecting tone, dialogue, and plot. Despite negative reviews, it gained a cult following.
Digimon Adventure (First Segment) [6:21]
The movie opens with the "Digi Rap." The first segment starts with a fight between Greymon and Parrotmon, narrated by Kari, who introduces the concept of Digimon. Willis, an American DigiDestined with two Digimon, is introduced. The animation style is noted to be better than still images. A Digi-Egg appears in Tai and Kari's bedroom, leading to digital anomalies. The egg hatches into Botamon, who evolves rapidly, eats Tai's food, and eventually becomes Agumon. Kari narrates the story, which the hosts find odd due to her quips and the heightened importance of the story. Agumon engages in "slight terrorism," causing chaos. A giant Parrotmon appears, leading to a battle where Greymon defeats it.
Our War Game (Second Segment) [20:39]
Four years later, set between Digimon Adventure and 02, Izzy discovers an internet virus, a Digimon. Tai and Sora have romantic drama. Kari sends Tai's apology email to Sora. Matt and T.K. are on vacation. Izzy goes to Tai's house, and they deal with the hatching egg. The virus consumes data rapidly, affecting technology. The hosts discuss Caramon, the virus Digimon, and its creepy appearance. Jeni and Izzy reunite, and Agumon and Tentomon enter the internet. Caramon digivolves to Infermon, an Ultimate level Digimon. Willis emails Izzy, saying Infermon is his fault. Tai and Izzy can't reach others due to Infermon disrupting phone lines. Izzy uses a satellite uplink. Infermon heads to New York City to find Willis. Matt and T.K. join the fight with Angemon and Patamon. Infermon digivolves to Diaboromon, who sends taunting emails to Izzy and gains access to nuclear codes, launching missiles at Tai's neighborhood and Colorado.
Diaboromon multiplies, and Tai and Matt enter the internet, powering up WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon into Omnimon. Izzy reroutes emails to slow down Diaboromon, and Omnimon destroys the original Diaboromon, who says "Willis" as he disappears. Willis and his twin Digimon celebrate in a sunflower field, but a mysterious force approaches them. The hosts discuss the segment's themes of internet fears, its self-contained story, and the cultural references. They praise the pacing and villain but critique Sora's petty grudge and the lack of involvement from other characters.
Hurricane Touchdown!! (Third Segment) [41:37]
In the present day, during the Digimon Emperor arc, Kari and T.K. are in New York City, supposedly to visit Mimi and make Davis jealous. In reality, Kokomon is capturing the older DigiDestined. They meet Willis, and a fight ensues between Terriermon and Wendigomon (Kokomon's form). Kari and T.K. follow Willis on an Amtrak train. The hosts note product placement, such as phone booths and car advertisements. The art style is more like traditional anime. Kari emails the 02 kids, who travel to America, using Yolei's relatives' frequent flyer miles and resources. They meet up with Willis and Terriermon. Willis reveals he created the mess, explaining the origin of Terriermon and Kokomon. He created Diaboromon, but a virus attacked Kokomon. Davis agrees to help Willis.
Terriermon digivolves to Gargomon, and Veemon digivolves to Flamedramon to fight Wendigomon. The group travels to Willis's place via Halsemon, set to "Kids in America." Willis reveals the story of Kokomon's infection. Kokomon becomes Antylamon, and everyone digivolves, but the fight goes poorly. Angemon and Angewomon arrive. Cherubimon Vice appears, defeating everyone. Time moves backward. Angewomon and Angemon mega digivolve to Magnadramon and Seraphimon, releasing golden Digi-Eggs. Terriermon and Veemon golden armor digivolve into Magnamon and Rapidmon. Yolei tells Poromon he needs time to heal, mirroring Willis's past words to Kokomon. Inside Cherubimon Vice, Kokomon tells the golden armor Digimon to destroy him to cure the virus. They do, and Cherubimon Virtue briefly appears. Terriermon and Veemon reappear. Willis says goodbye and kisses Yolei and Kari, enraging Davis. He calls his mom on a payphone. Terriermon spots a Digi-Egg in the water, which is Kokomon. The credits roll with Terriermon singing All Star.
Final Thoughts [57:16]
The hosts discuss the segment's emotional story, but the structure and surrounding elements botch it. The travel to America is uninteresting. Willis's reluctance to explain the situation is frustrating. The segment feels like a travel movie rather than focusing on the emotional core. The product placement is distracting. The music is too peppy. The hosts rate each segment, with "Our War Game" being the highest and "Hurricane Touchdown!!" being the lowest. They suggest restructuring the movie by cutting Angela Anaconda and condensing the first story to allow more focus on "Hurricane Touchdown!!" The hosts announce their next episode will be a tier list of 02 characters and their final thoughts on 02, followed by Digimon Tamers. They share their social media and email information.