Well, with the 02 cast getting their turn this October; it's finally time. I know I said I wasn't going to formally review this; and I stand by that. I consider this more of an autopsy than anything: fitting for a year which, to paraphrase Beavis and Butt-Head Do America; "sucked more than any year has ever sucked before." I have made no secret of the fact that I do not recognize this movie as the true finale to Digimon Adventure, and now I feel that I can examine why. Here is Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna revisited- a critical second opinion.
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| Promotional poster for the film. |
To be fair, the film actually doesn't open on the worst note- the opening battle is actually a nice callback to the pilot OVA for Digimon Adventure, with the animation quality and usage of "Bolero" being high points. Unfortunately, despite the film's efforts; I have lots of issues with it as a series finale.
The story takes place about five years after the events after the "Tri" movies (which, despite their flaws, I do actually prefer for taking creative risks); and twenty years after the events of the original TV series. Admittedly, the basic premise isn't the worst- the original "Chosen Children" are on the verge of graduating college and going their separate ways. At the same time, a new threat emerges that tests the limits of their bond with their Digimon. However, as I've established before; it's the execution that bothers me.
I'm not the only one who had issues with the story either- Hiroyuki Kadadou, head writer of the anime for its first two seasons; actually was consulted about the film's story, but he left the project on the grounds that it contradicted the established setting of the TV series. His blog has a good summary about the matter, here is the link; and it will be important later.
Personally, I feel that Dragon Ball and One Piece did a better job at actually "Aging with the audience," and I feel it's more accurate that Digimon merely reached the emotional age of its audience. Just saying there are better ways of expressing this transition than Tai pondering his thesis statement while working part-time at a pachinko parlor. Seriously, what was the point of including those students in the galley if they're not going to factor into the plot? That's not the only issue I have with this movie's story; and I once again wonder if it would have been better to do this as an OVA miniseries instead.
It honestly doesn't help that I wasn't fooled by the entrance of Menoa Belucci (because I guess the adult section of the fanbase was into Monica Belucci in the past), and despite her best efforts; I found her among the least compelling villains in the franchise's storied history. Someone also mentioned to me that they were reminded of Scooby-Doo in terms of reveals; and while it does make a modicum of sense for the story, her whole plan just falls apart the more I think about it. This one of the simpler fixes I can propose: if Menoa was a secondary antagonist instead. Here's a placeholder for a primary antagonist.
Preem- so in this proposal, instead of Menoa betraying everyone; Menoa would ally herself with the true antagonist so she can get what she wants. She and the main cast would not realize their mistake until it's too late; and it would also provide a better justification for the story and the presence of the 02 cast. This new villain would also be the true source of the waning bond and the sidelining of most cast members not named Tai or Matt. We will come back to this later, and I now return you to the regularly scheduled program.
So, Menoa contacts our heroes in Izzy's office (one of the few things that actually kind of works for me), alongside her contact Kyotaro Imura. There's a whole litany of issues with him we'll address later. For now, they've contacted them because of what's happening to their friends.
The way it's implemented already starts showing issues: it's revealed that one of their colleagues has fallen into a coma- Miyako "Yolei" Inoue. I know this is going to be contentious; but even the Tri movies did a better job with this storyline; and justifying people going comatose.
No matter- they're sent through the digital gate; and admittedly the first engagement isn't terrible. It's what comes after that's a problem. Their bond is waning as they're about to go their separate ways. This could have worked as a stealth parable for age; but the stealth is essentially nil. It's about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the ribs.
Case in point- the infamous scene of Agumon finding the stash of girlie movies in Tai's mattress. Amusing, but it lacks nuance. However, still less blatant than a folder on his computer full of art of Renamon getting down with Ninetales and Kyubi from Yo-Kai Watch.
However, a greater cardinal sin is that if you've telegraphed Menoa's true nature like I did; it effectively kills any suspense the movie is trying to build. So, that means we're all just playing the waiting game after the 15-minute mark.
I also don't share others' enthusiasm for the supporting roles of the 02 cast either. As a subplot, they're incredibly distracting. As franchise bait, they're more blatant than WandaVision connecting to Multiverse of Madness. As roles in the story overall, they're a circus of clowns crashing their comically-undersized car into a funeral motorcade. Think I preferred Tri making them comatose the first thing they did instead.
Really- the only thing they really do is find the real dirt on Menoa; something that could have been done by Izzy looking at her files from when she was studying abroad. The Canto Bight subplot in The Last Jedi had more of a point than this; and that's a contentious film I actually like.
As more of their colleagues are hospitalized, Matt, having learned the sickening truth; decides to confront Imura. However, Imura responds by revealing what he's actually doing with Menoa. He's not her assistant- he's actually a federal agent that's been investigating her! Moreover, Menoa created Eosmon and is the one behind everything; including the Digidestined losing consciousness! Izzy is able to warn the others just in time; leading to a confrontation in the digital world.
Her status as a twist villain brings me back to the rewrite I alluded to with her as a secondary villain instead.
MATT: Menoa, what's going on here? Why have you done this?
DR. KURATA: Menoa, if you don't tell them the truth, I will. I trust it will sound better coming from you.
MENOA: When I created Eosmon, I thought it would be the zenith of my studies; but Kurata showed me how much more I can do with the code. You, your friends, your family, your Digimon- we can all be together as the next stage in the evolutionary ladder!
TAI: How could you- you lied to us the moment you walked in the door! Our bond was never in danger- you were trying to tear it apart! You and the doctor must be stopped- no matter the cost!
This is exactly why I brought up Hiroyuki's words at the start: if the film had stuck closer to what was established in canon, I might have shared others' POV of this movie being the franchise's Endgame or Logan. Instead, it wound up feeling more to me like its Dark Phoenix.
Honestly- again with the whistle? This is where the denouement officially fell apart for me; and that also includes the final forms of their partners. Admittedly the designs do look good; and the final blow they deal to Eosmon is also one of the few moments of this climax that actually works for me.
As the Digidestined reawaken and Menoa is presumably brought back to the US to be questioned by the FBI, I will state I'm still not pleased with how the film marginalized Sora once again; and how the film is less a true finale to the whole cast and more "Matt and Tai Face the Music, featuring the cast of Digimon Adventure." I don't plan to watch this movie again; but I will have other ways to address the series from April onward (needed a backup plan after current events soured what I first had in mind).
The film closes on Tai writing his thesis statement, and he and Matt part ways with their Digimon as the credits roll. Many fans found this ending touching. I didn't: it sent a troubling message, indirectly implying that age is the end of the adventure. I can argue that's not just nonsense, but also rather disturbing.
Before I wrap this up, my least favorite characters of the film go to the one scene wonders in the campus dining hall. The scene could have easily worked fine without them, instead of reminding me of people with zero filter whenever I freshen my drink at Burger King.
Despite who they try to target; jokes about adult film stashes and scenes of binge drinking are not enough for me to truly consider this an "adult" entry in the series; since ones targeted toward the main demographic actually did more to earn that distinction. Tamers, my personal favorite season dealt with inner trauma. Data Squad/Savers had some of the most effective character dynamics of both the heroes and villains (why I chose Dr. Kurata to represent my change here). Xros Wars/Fusion showed the impact war can have on young fighters. Even Frontier, much as I dislike it, did attempt to take a different look at its character dynamic.
That is why I do not recognize this movie as a finale to Digimon Adventure: not only does it not truly feel adult to the audience it attempts to cater to, it fundamentally doesn't understand the material and story it attempted to close. It's entirely ironic that this film attempted to end the story for a fan of my age, and I find the original TV series had a more satisfying ending. What happened instead was a finale that somehow made the infamous epilogue of 02 seem like a more coherent ending by comparison. It's also still canon despite the movie contradicting it in multiple ways, which just raises further questions.
While I'm on that subject; if the same creative forces are involved with 02: The Beginning, I honestly don't have high hopes. I was never the biggest fan of that season to begin with (was more of an Orange Islands/DBZ guy at the time, still am); but if their cast is going to be put through the same motions, I truly think it will be the beginning of the end of this section of the franchise.
Though this movie and the Adventure brand have definitely been something of a rough ride; the franchise as a whole still has potential. I have never perceived it as "better" than you-know-what; and it still doesn't make sense to compare them to me.
If the film centered on the 02 cast manages to rectify the issues I had with this film and undoes its events in any way; I will acknowledge that as an improvement. Given what I've just detailed and my overall mixed feelings towards 02- they have an uphill battle on their hands.
That will be all for now, good night to you all.
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