The Season We Always Wanted- Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion Review [BD/DVD]

The true third season for the original Digimon Adventure begins with the original Digidestined – Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion Review

Three years after the events against MaloMyotismon, the Digiworld seems to be in peril once again. This time, however, the adventure begins in the real world. Most of the Digidestined are nearing the end of their teenage years, and are having to answer the question, “What do you want to do after high school?” But, for the Digidestined, typical teenage angst aren’t the only things they have to worry about. Digimon are appearing in the real world and causing massive damage, but luckily the Digidestined Digimon also appear! The Digidestined and their Digimon are able to send the bad Digimon back into the Digiworld. Despite saving the day, a lot of damage has been done, and this time Tai is mature enough to realize the scale and impact of the danger that they’re facing. This realization causes a rift between him and Matt, who is just as eager to save the day as he was in his youth, without thinking of the consequences. They fight, like they did when they were kids, and the group kind of just let them figure it out instead of letting it drive them apart. There is also a new Digidestined and Digimon, Meicoomon, who seem to be the focus point of the Digimon attacks. This is confirmed when Alphamon shows up and attacks Meicoomon. Can Matt and Tai come to an agreement and fight together, or will their clashing philosophies doom the Digidestined and the world? Pick up your copy of Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion to find out!

Okay, I was just trying to end that synopsis the same way the television episodes end. Not my best work. I’m also not trying to give away much of the movie, because after the long wait, the more uninformed you are about it the better. But, having watched the Reunion a few times, I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy it regardless.

Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion is the season 3 fans have always wanted. I am sure I am not the only one who’s felt that things always felt open ended for the original Digidestined, even with the Season 2 flash forward wrap up. It seemed off to have Davis, Ken, Yolei, and Cody be the heroes to save the worlds when there are so many better suited heroes from the first generation. I mean even when Imperialdramon went into Paladin mode, he owed it to Omnimon. The second season Digidestined, as enjoyable as it was, never resonated the way the original did. Also why did Davis and Yolei have weird flight suits? And why did only Paildramon go Mega? I mean really there ended up being only 3 Digimon, why only let one go Mega? Also, Shukkakumon was the most disappointing Digimon ever… In short, Season 2 felt kind of phoned in.

That’s a huge reason why Tri is as enjoyable as it is. It seems to recapture the original vision, and it begins with the 4 new Digidestined from season 2 being defeated and left to unknown faiths. It also leaves a huge plot hole as to why the Digidestined never question where they are or why they aren’t helping, but other than that Tri is sound.

In terms of story, I really like when in time the movie takes place. Most of the Digidestined are about to be 18, and go off into the worlds as young adults. It’s a time of uncertainty and reflection, that is well portrayed through Tai. Tai sees the world differently, and realizes the bigger impacts of their actions. He holds back because he knows the damage that the Digimon cause in the real world, and knows that it needs to be minimized. On the other hand, there’s Matt who is determined to do everything in his power to stop the threat without thought of the consequences. It’s a nice change of pace, one that I feel is often over looked in most stories. I’m pretty sure Jackie Chan is the hero most aware of property damage, with Tai being a far second. Anyway, it’s a really notable character arc and a fitting conflict for the Digidestined to face.

Where Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion completely outclasses the original series is the animation. The original series pretty much was 60% rehashed animation, whether it was digivolving or using their signature moves. Tri does rehash digivoloving animation occasionally, but the fight scenes are uniquely drawn battles that actually show some fighting capabilities of the individual Digimon. The first fight between Greymon and Kuwagamon, you see Greymon ducking and tail whipping which is a lot more motion than Greymon has done in the first season. It was really fulfilling to see the Digimon do more than just perform their special attacks on a different backgrounds. Blu-Ray is definitely the best way to watch the movie.

While the movie itself is great, the Blu-Ray features are somewhat lackluster. There’s an BTS interview with the voice actors, and a featurette of the Los Angeles Premiere and that was about it. The digital copy of the movie can be streamed via Shout’s website, and can also be downloaded to your devices. Personally, I like the ability to download the digital copy, but it’s kind of inconvenient that it’s not part of my UV collection. Other than that, there are no other special features. I was hoping for a commentary track, or a how it’s made, even previews of the next chapters, but unfortunately the special features are very limited.

Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion is the Digimon we have been waiting for. It is the true successor to the original Digimon that many of us grew up with and is in many way much more than we could have ever expected. The only downside to picking up the Blu-Ray are the lack of more in-depth special features. While the features are interesting, I do not think it adds a great incentive to have the physical copy versus just owning the digital version. Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion is a definite must watch for fans of the original Digimon Series, but owning the physical copy isn’t a must. My Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion review of the movie is a 5/5, but the Blu-Ray Combo Pack is a 3.5/5.

Order your copy of Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion at Shout! Factory.