Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time
Crossover; it’s a word that gets any fan, regardless of franchise, excited. But such a word is best used on special occasions and what better occasion could it be used, but for Yu-Gi-Oh’s 10th Anniversary. Yes, it’s been over 10 years since the anime based upon the world’s most popular trading card game hit Japanese screens, and eventually became a hit across the world. Spawning video games, various TV anime sequels, now the familiar faces of the first 3 flagship series come together in a movie special to celebrate its legacy entitled; Yu-Gi-Oh! Bonds Beyond Time.
The story begins with Yusei cruising the city when a mysterious duellist named ‘Paradox’ challenges him. But before he can say “Let’s rev it up!” his favourite card, the Stardust Dragon, is stolen from him. It’s not long after that his world starts crumbling before his eyes and realizes that the past is being changed by this mysterious new enemy. Using the power of the Crimson Dragon, he travels back in time to meet Jaden, saving him from the same enemy. Upon learning Paradox’s plan to wipe out the Duel Monsters card game from history itself, they enlist the help of the one and only King of Games, Yugi. Can the 3 heroes combine forces to overcome Paradox’s Malefic deck?
Despite the dub-exclusive series recap provided at the beginning of film, the time is mostly spent on looking at the hero’s personalities and highlight duels, not much else. So important plot point such as why Jaden has different coloured eyes or Yusei’s trials regarding his father are merely glossed over. The film apparently takes place during the beginning of 5D’s season 4 (a season I’m not entirely positive has shown in the UK yet) and GX’s 4th season has never been shown outside Japan, but thankfully none of the events played during those series play too much into the film’s plot progression.
As the 5D’s universe tops and tails the film, it means that your beloved side characters from older series get little to no screen time; no Chazz, no Joey and Kaiba is only seen in the recap. But this is compromised by flashes of the best cards from the 3 generations of duel decks, including Blue Eyes White Dragon and Karibo, plus the presence of the original creator of the game, Maximillion Pegasus, is a welcomed addition. We also get some witty one-liners here and there that poke fun at the franchise, which long term fans will enjoy, including a stab at Yugi’s infamous hair style and Paradox making fun of the ‘heart of the cards’ speeches, which come aplenty in the film.
At less than an hour long, the film moves at a brisk pace; not stopping long to relish in your older favourite characters and getting as much exposition in as possible until the main attraction of the flick – the 3 of them duelling together against their greatest foe – takes up the most of the running time. Even the time travelling aspect of the film is given the easy breezy treatment with Jaden quoting; “We’re from the future, no big whoop!” and the 3 males seem to know each other’s decks like the back of their hand, working side by side with no hiccups at all. So plot and logic isn’t exactly the film’s strongest aspect, but it’s enough to provide a platform for an impossible crossover not achievable in any other situation.
The score is mostly pop-rock based, with a few recycled older tunes for the opening scenes of the film – providing a nostalgic feel. Plus most of the original cast returns to reprise their roles, including Dan Green who slips back into the character of Yugi with incredible ease. Also Matthew Charles does a great job of re-capturing the positive attitude that made Jaden very likeable in the GX series.
Having watched the film in cinemas with 3D presentation and then in the comfort of my own home on DVD, I recommend purchasing the 3D Blu-ray copy if you have the cash to splash, the television support for 3D and are an avid fan of the franchise. I can honestly say that Yu-Gi-Oh Bonds Beyond Time is one of my favourite films I’ve seen in 3D. Every frame of the 50+ minutes is in 3D, including the opening montage of older footage from the first Yu-Gi-Oh episodes; it’s really refreshing see the now stale scene where Yugi summons Exodia to obliterate Kaiba’s dragon in 3D, making the victory all the more epic and grand. Although there’s not many instances where the film takes full advantage of things flying out at you for that ‘wow’ factor it’s subtle use of bringing the monsters to life, the special attacks rendered to look more powerful than ever, the field card in the big battle all the more cosmic, and giving Jaden’s spirit monsters that ghostly aura to them, all really work. The film is still impressive in 2D; the animation is consistently flawless – retaining the television series’ flow and style but given enough polish to make the whole duel come to life on the big screen, but I have to admit I missed the cool 3D effects that made the monsters more monstrous and the Malefic field card extra eerie.
The DVD comes with a few extras; a limited edition collectable trading card of the Malefic Red Eyes Black Dragon, a cinema trailer, the English-exclusive recap as a separate entity to view, but the one you’ll most likely hit the play button for is the Japanese version of the film. You read that right; the version shown in Japanese cinemas is available for your viewing pleasure complete with original graphics, soundtrack and Japanese voice cast. The catch however is that it comes with hard subtitles with no option to flip off the text or switch back to English on a whim with your remote; a pain but a bearable one as this is the first time that a Japanese and uncut version of Yu-Gi-Oh has been made commerically available in the UK.
The hour long ride that is ‘Yu-Gi-Oh Bonds Beyond Time’ is light, to the point and nothing overly amazing, but it provides a fun duel, utilising the famous moves of the heroes and battle of wits to satisfy casual fans as well as golden oldies. An entertaining watch for all enthusiasts, even for me who hasn’t been highly invested in Yu-Gi-Oh franchise since the original series ended in 2006. At a decent price and with it being short enough running time to squeeze it in-between other anime viewings, there’s little reason not to reacquaint yourself with an old friend.
