TLDR;
The Bomb Squad Productions podcast discusses "Digimon: The Movie," a compilation of three Japanese animated short films with a heavily altered English dub soundtrack. The hosts share their personal histories with the Digimon franchise, discuss the individual segments of the movie, and critique the overall narrative cohesion and soundtrack choices. They also touch on the adaptation and localization practices of the time, comparing the Japanese and English versions.
- The movie is a compilation of three Digimon short films: "Digimon Adventure," "Our War Game," and "Digimon Adventure 2: Part 1."
- The English dub of the movie significantly alters the tone and content of the original Japanese versions.
- The soundtrack is a point of contention, with some appreciating its nostalgic value and others criticizing its placement and impact on the film's tone.
Introduction and Personal Histories with Digimon [0:16]
The hosts introduce the topic of the podcast: "Digimon: The Movie." They share their varying levels of familiarity with the Digimon franchise. Some had limited exposure, such as playing "Digimon Rumble Arena 2," while others, like Ethan, were deeply invested in the anime series, games, and trading cards. The discussion touches on Digimon's position as a middle ground between Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh, noting its unique evolution chains and its origins as a "Tamagotchi for boys."
Angela Anaconda Short [6:18]
Before diving into the movie, the hosts briefly discuss the "Angela Anaconda" short that precedes the film. They express their dislike and discomfort with the animation style and overall weirdness of the short, contrasting it with other nostalgic animated shorts.
Digimon Adventure (1999) [7:39]
The hosts begin their discussion of the first film, "Digimon Adventure." Some found it a good starting point, praising its concise storytelling and monster battles reminiscent of "Evangelion". Others felt a disconnect between the visual style and the dialogue, preferring the Japanese version with subtitles. The use of Ravel's Boléro in the original short was highlighted for its effectiveness in building tension as the monster grows. The English dub, however, was criticized for adding unnecessary jokes and changing the tone.
Digimon Adventure: Our War Game! (2000) [14:46]
The second film, "Our War Game," is discussed, with comparisons drawn to Mamoru Hosoda's later work, "Summer Wars." Some consider it the best segment of the movie, praising its well-crafted internal logic, global threat narrative, and varied animation styles. The inserted jokes, such as Tai's mom being a bad cook, were also appreciated. Others noted the attention to detail in the 3D models and the unique digital space concept. The segment is seen as a proof of concept for "Summer Wars," with its high-stakes, game-like scenario.
Digimon Adventure 02: Digimon Hurricane Touchdown!! / Transcendent Evolution!! The Golden Digimentals (2000) [22:52]
The third film, "Digimon Adventure 2," receives mixed reactions. Some found it the least engaging due to its hyper-truncation, while others appreciated its final act and messages about friendship. The abrupt ending and the use of Smash Mouth's "All Star" were noted. Some criticized the dropped plot lines, weird soundtrack choices, and contrived elements. Despite its flaws, some appreciated the character interactions and the film's overall tone. The English adaptation was heavily criticized for being incomprehensible and disposable.
Overall Cohesion of the Movie [31:11]
The hosts discuss how well the three films hang together as a whole. Most agree that the movie feels disjointed and incoherent, with the individual segments barely connected. The producers are given credit for doing the best they could with a flawed concept. The third film is seen as particularly disconnected from the first two. The hosts express a preference for uncut, original versions of anime, rather than butchered localizations.
Soundtrack Discussion [37:55]
The soundtrack is a major point of discussion, particularly the English dub's use of pop music. Some found it hilarious and appreciated its kitsch value, while others felt it undercut the tension and seriousness of the original Japanese versions. Tanner expresses his love for the soundtrack, citing its influence on his musical taste and praising the inclusion of ska bands like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Less Than Jake. The placement of the songs is criticized for being random and nonsensical.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations [42:20]
The hosts share their final thoughts on "Digimon: The Movie." Some recommend watching the original Japanese shorts, particularly "Digimon Adventure" and "Our War Game." The movie is seen as a fascinating cultural artifact from the turn of the century, worth watching for its ridiculous dub, dumb jokes, and wild music. The hosts recommend the first three seasons of Digimon for long-term storytelling and characterization.