 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie
- Review Date: November 10, 2006
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
More infomercial than movie. For series fans only.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has a lot of cartoon violence -- some scary-looking creatures face off against each other, including monsters and decaying mummies. There are a lot of meaningful glares and lightning-type bolts shooting out between the characters, but even those who are defeated and seem to evaporate turn out not to be gone for good. Human characters are in peril, too, and sometimes seem to be hurt, but again it's only temporary and there are no serious or graphic injuries. One girl character is loyal and brave, but when the creatures attack, she's the only one who cries and is incapable of fighting back. Some mild schoolyard language like "blow chunks," as well as many threats, insults, and boasts. A somewhat decadent character refers to wine spritzers and is so effete that some viewers may wonder if he's supposed to be a stereotyped gay man.
What's the story?
Less a movie than an infomercial, YU-GI-OH! THE MOVIE, like the TV show, follows the story of champion card-player Yugi (voiced by Dan Green), who can access the power of an ancient pharaoh to help him triumph over all who challenge him. His perennial nemesis is wealthy Kaiba (Eric Stuart), who doesn't realize that his spirit has been captured by the spirit of the pharaoh's evil enemy, Anubis (Scottie Ray). Five thousand years ago, the pharaoh vanquished Anubis for what he thought was eternity.
Is it any good?
When a movie begins by telling you that "Eternity does not last forever," it's clear that no one behind it is paying much attention to the script, so you'd better not worry about it, either. Anyone who's ever seen the Yu-Gi-Oh! TV series, played the card game, or bought the cards knows what to expect here. The characters usually undergo some transformation or make use of a secret to attain power, almost always an attractive theme to kids.
The static visuals get tiresome quickly, and the characters are confusing to those not already familiar with them from television. The dialogue consists of a lot of boasts and threats like, "Soon worms will feast on your flesh as they feasted on mine!" Kids, especially those ages 6-10, love to memorize and sort endless facts, whether about Pokemon, dinosaurs, cars, or Beanie Babies. So parents may decide that the movie's benefits as a sort of training wheels for social interaction and a sense of mastery outweigh its shortcomings as a movie. Nevertheless, non-fans will conclude that eternity may not last forever, but this movie feels like it does.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the characters' view that there's nothing more powerful than friendship. Do you agree? Families might also enjoy looking for the movie's many references to other movies, including On the Waterfront, The Godfather, and The Wizard of Oz.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Terrible, and I'm a fan of the show
One of the worst movies I've ever seen. The animated series is much, much better.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Not as good as the series
The good part about the movie was it had stronger violence than the series and they gave you free Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. The bad part was the main charaters always blab about thier friendship. It's so gross and mushy.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
May 9, 2010
AGE
8 and up.
This Yu-Gi-Oh movie is poor and a waste of time and parents there's only one thing that you need to worry in this movie is that there is a lot of cartoon violence in this movie.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 15 years old
April 24, 2009
AGE
A movie I won't even bother watching to know it is terrible. An example of how movies and commercials seem to have blended together into the same thing, lately.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
February 5, 2010
AGE
Just watch the LittleKuriboh version.
This was a disgrace against a children's card game with a debilitating 5% rating on Rotten Tomatoes! Even serious fans should only watch the abridged edition by LittleKuriboh! It's like Michael Bay's masterpiece, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"! In America!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
June 2, 2010
AGE
Yugi-NO.
Only watch this movie if your a fan of the series, and even then it's a big disappointment. Lots of cartoon violence that might scare children. And there is a lot of product pumping.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Horrible...
This movie is surrounded with violence a bad message and it's full of demons.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 9 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
This movie is great. I liked it a lot. I liked the songs, I still sing them. I liked seeing how they did the Yugioh attacks. Has a lot of friendship in it.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Directors: | Hatsuki Tsuji, Ryusoke Takahashi |
| Cast: | Dan Green, Eric Stuart, Wayne Grayson |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 13, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | November 16, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | scary combat and monster images |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
