Digimon Adventure: The Revenge of Diaboromon (2001) Revisited.

Well folks- it's finally that time. It's been around a decade since my recap of Digimon: The Movie, so as part of my way of celebrating 10 years of writing here; let's revisit the 2001 sequel to "Our War Game," "Digimon Adventure: The Revenge of Diaboromon!" Once again, this movie was dubbed into English several years after the anime's initial ending (I still have no intention of reviewing Last Evolution Kizuna); so let's open it up.

Promotional poster for the film.

Most of the cast reprises their roles for the dub, with the following exceptions: Tai is voiced by Jason Spisak (whose other roles include Kid Flash on Young Justice, and numerous video games such as Fallout New Vegas and Marvel's Spider-Man, both of which I really enjoy); Patamon is voiced by Bridget Hoffman (who also voiced Jeri in my favorite season, Tamers; along with KOS-MOS in the Xenosaga trilogy),  and Jeff Nimoy took over for Hawkmon and Gabumon. For some reason, the movie also opens with the Frontier theme. I already mentioned how much that sounds like a commercial jingle in previous posts; so here's the actual Adventure 02 theme instead.

As you know, this movie takes place roughly after the events of "Our War Game," and while I am not among those who consider 02 to be better than the original (I file that one under contested sequel); I will lead off by saying this movie is at least better than that. Also, I don't consider Our War Game a Mamoru Hosoda movie, merely a Digimon movie he directed; especially as he has grown far beyond this franchise; but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Anyway, we briefly see Izzy as well as Miyako "Yolei" Inoue, the latter of whom is trying on a school uniform. While she remarks that she could have gone to a private school in the subs, the dub has her wondering if she can wear cargo pants underneath.

Speaking of which, one of Diaboromon's attempts to undermine the team is to send unflattering details on them via email. One of which is of Tai, and while most people would be ashamed of having their damp bedsheets aired out to dry; Tai is not most people.

"You say I'm premature, I just call it ecstasy! I wear rubber at all times, it's a necessity!"

Cody then spars with his kendo master before he's called to action; and this CGI seems pretty campy even by 2001 standards. There's also a scene with Matt and Sora on a date that was understandably trimmed a bit for the dub; with a poster that says, no joke: "Live Stage: Shocking Night, Fucking Night." Wow- you thought the epilogue was controversial; and their relationship was honestly the least of the distant finale's problems.

Still less awkward than Agumon finding the girlie movies in Tai's mattress.

Diaboromon's first form spawns from a monitor, and more are shown on the TV displays of an electronics store as we get our entrance of Daisuke "Davis" Motomiya. Is it Diaboromon or Starro the Conqueror we're seeing right now? 

Before we can answer that, he runs off to soccer practice; and we get our title card. Ah, it's like it's coming home to roost, and we cleared for takeoff!

Text: Digimon Adventure- The Revenge of Diaboromon

Using a note about the computer lab being closed for maintenance as cover, both versions have the password as "Digi Digi Mon Mon" to get in. (sighs) This may be a better movie than the 2000 one, but that still sounds really dumb typing that.

That aside, Izzy is basically our resident "guy in the chair" for this movie; and starts briefing all present on what's going on. Mimi is on her way back from America (thankfully no "joystick-juggling" face from Tai seeing her postcard this time), Sora is on her way back from a club trip; and Joe is tied up in administration to get into high school (or college if we're talking the dub). Again, not in the top 10 biggest dunks on his character; but that's at at least consistent for him; and why he's still my favorite member of the original cast.

Izzy realizes that somehow, Diaboromon has returned (insert Poe Dameron meme here); hence why the photos of Tai's literal dirty laundry and Matt's fling with Sora are being leaked online. I also note that I've been alternating between the subs and dubs of the first five minutes of a half-hour OVA. I made my choice, and I stand by it. 

The story is set roughly three years after the events of Our War Game; though it wouldn't be the first time I'd rather be watching Summer Wars instead. The monster is also attempting to send itself into the real world via email, and here I am spending almost 12 hours on Downdetector trying to deal with a Verizon outage.

All joking aside, the older members of the team do show they've learned since the last encounter quite literally almost went nuclear.  After Tai, Matt and TK corroborate the previous incident, Izzy has been able to quarantine one of the copies; which he promptly puts in the recycle bin before emptying it. This also presents something I would have preferred to see in the actual TV anime- you could still have the new cast members; but keep the ones of the first season as mentor figures. Better yet, I'm among many that now agrees that TK and Kari should have led the new team rather than Davis and the rest of the new cast. Though I've heard countless others claim the rotating cast solves the problem of growing stagnant, my counterpoint is that it can also create a different problem depending on how it's handled due to lack of consistency. For every character like Takato, we've had the cast of Frontier. For every Marcus from Savers/Data Squad, we've had Tagiru from Young Hunters Leaping Through Time. 

While I'm on that subject, Davis wants to join Tai in confronting Diaboromon in cyberspace; but Tai requests he stay in the real world to face the Kuromon. Tai and Matt then head into the digital gate to meet up with Agumon and Gabumon. Izzy then must walk them through to the source of the emails, as one does.

Elsewhere, someone at a grocery store is surprised to see Tai and Matt's names on packs of meat. Either this is a very morbid clerical error or a very milquetoast prequel to Okja. 

Izzy also warns all the teams on Earth not to engage the Kuromon that break through; otherwise they might grow stronger. Though he's able to contain another one to his computer, Davis and Ken have a bit more difficulty trying to get one of them from a youngster in town. Also, it seems that Davis has a charm of Matt on his cell phone. Not even going to touch that one, I've got enough to deal with him simping for Kari.

Anyway, Izzy dispatches Davis and Ken to Shibuya next; which, along with the Kuromon emerging; does make me want to play more of The World Ends With You.

Elsewhere, shenanigans occur at soccer practice; though TK and Cody are able to contain them. Izzy also explains that higher stages mean bigger file sizes; and they won't be able to contain them all if they get too big. As Izzy tries to figure out Diaboromon's plan, Davis laments how much they've been chasing the Kuromon on the train with Ken. At that moment, the Kuromon start popping out of the passengers' phones like warranty messages on cars they don't own, let alone drive.

After that, Davis and Ken are able to contain the Kuromon; but Izzy is surprised they didn't change form; instead multiplying like the Gremlins after they got water spilled on them.

Tai and Matt reach their destination, wondering why the Kuromon aren't attacking them. Maybe they're set not to engage unless they're attacked first. Elsewhere, Davis and Ken reach the famous Hachiko statue by the Scramble Crossing; further compounding my desire to play more of The World Ends With You.

The attack from the last movie doesn't work this time, and TK and Kari are on their way for backup! Cody and Inoue tell their counterparts to be careful; and then they login! Again, I really would have preferred if TK and Kari led the team in the second season rather than the new cast; and I'm not alone in this. The fact that Cody and Inoue actually agree to stay behind to contain the Kuromon rather than argue about it furthers that. As for the HMV product placement- the fact that this retailer is now defunct does tell you the age of this movie a bit.

At that moment, Davis gets a call from Izzy to meet the others on the surface; since TK and Kari are aiding Tai and Matt. Yet, all Davis can think about is Kari. Simp- try thinking with the head on your shoulders; not the one in your pants.

TK and Kari reach the contact points with Angemon and Angewomon, and it's at least more coherent than the last movie was. Not saying a whole lot, but I'll take what I can get.

Yet, Davis still disobeys Izzy's guidance; deciding to go in after Kari after begging for someone else's laptop. You deserve this clip: Davis, you idiot.

Predictably, his plan backfires; forcing more Kuromon into the city and having to draw their attacks to Tokyo Bay; which will actually be important later. It also further compounds my Starro analogy I brought up earlier; and it will come up again.

Inoue and Cody agree to meet Davis and Ken at the bay; right before she heads off. Also, all of a sudden, this bench is making me want a Pepsi. 

Anyway, a combination attack from their Digimon destroys Diaboromon's main body; but the Kuromon keep spreading! We're getting to the Tokyo Bay payoff, and the closer to my Starro the Conqueror comparisons.

The Kuromon are then told to regroup at the rendezvous point in Tokyo Bay. How convenient! Veemon and Wormmon are then given a ride on the stream of Kuromon, and the CGI still looks like a video game cutscene from that time frame.

Mimi finally arrives back in Japan, and Izzy needs her help. As everyone else heads to Tokyo Bay, he exposits to her about the Kuromon. This is actually a more coherent plan than the last movie, something that surprised me when I watched it and made plans to revisit it. Diaboromon planned to be beaten and wanted this to happen!

The power goes out in the city, and everyone makes plans to converge at the Rainbow Bridge as they navigate through the traffic. Well, the Bifrost would make things a bit easier.

Cody meets up with Inoue at the harbor, and all the Kuromon are in the Tokyo Bay! So, looks like my Starro comparison was right on the mark; and it's not the only reason why either.

A Digi-Egg arises from the bay, and it hatches over the water! Its size is so massive that it can't be sent back online! Well, not at the limitations of this time frame anyway. A bolt of light jets across the water, and Omnimon emerges with Tai and Matt on its back! Now that is already a major improvement over thee last movie's finale.

As Davis and Ken try to meet Veemon and Wormmon at the harbor, they're greeted by Joe Kido ex machina! Always a pleasure to see my favorite character of Adventure finish with his admissions.

This final battle between Omnimon and Diaboromon at least makes more comprehensible sense than the last movie's engagement did. Glad to say that after 10 years.

Davis and Ken regroup with Veemon and Wormmon, who provide a much-needed assist by becoming EX-Veemon and Stingmon (their names, not mine). There's even Matrix raining code on the displays in Scramble Crossing, because of course there is. They then combine to Imperialdramon, which of course looks like a giant robot that I actually wouldn't object to owning.

Yet, when it proves to be too much, their powers; and the hopes of the world combine into one new force and a sword made of pure energy! Now, it's much better when your mecha; absurd as it may be on paper; is more internally consistent with your story. 

Ramming the sword into Diaboromon's head, the beast breaks into Kuromon; and they send them all to the trash bin via their mobiles! I actually do like the callbacks with Kari's whistle and Matt's harmonica. 

Holding up their phones like they're lighters at a concert, they send the Kuromon to Izzy's trash bin; and much like Ratcatcher II, the bin is emptied as we close the story on the music score doing its best Brad Fiedel impression while our heroes embrace in the morning sun. Ten years, I haven't lost a step at all.

Just over 20 years since its initial airing, "Digimon Adventure 02" remains a contentious entry in the franchise. In my experience, while there are shows I look back more fondly on than I did at the time that I also liked at first; including Beast Machines and Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, this anime is the flip side to the coin. It's gone from a series that was outdrawing Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands at the time of airing to one I remember far less than Orange Islands. So no, I don't think it's better than the first season; nor do I think it's the T2 of the series like my associate Kohdok does. I consider it more like the Halloween II of the series (and this is coming from someone who likes that movie); where it stays pretty close to the original and the new ideas not only strain suspension of disbelief, but cast a shadow over the franchise as a whole for years to come. Rewatching it to research this post (looking at the English subs even), I don't think it holds up that well.

That said, this movie is at least better than the previous one I looked at a decade ago. It's at the very least a more cohesive film than the 2000 movie and a less nonsensical ending than the finale to the second season itself (no wonder that I'm among many that considers Tamers their favorite season). Dated dub quips and CG aside, the traditional animation does hold up all right. Ten years since I reviewed the previous movie; that's honestly the best I could have hoped for.

Though I still don't intend to do a full review of Last Kizuna (the same people working on a movie with the 02 cast doesn’t inspire confidence in me), this also won't be the only Digimon article I do this year. That will be all for now.