Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions is the perfect sequel to an already perfect ending. If you're like me, you were probably worried that this film would undo the great and satisfying ending of Yu-Gi-Oh: Duel Monsters, however I'm pleased to say quite the opposite is true. The film treats itself as an epilogue right from the start as we get to see our heroes 6 months after the events of Duel Monsters. The characters we've grown to love have started to grow up and are thinking about their futures.
Yugi has still retained the lesson he learned but of course he misses Atem the pharaoh, his dear friend. Meanwhile Seto Kaiba has a score to settle and won't take the afterlife as no for an answer. By the way, Seto Kaiba is by far the best part of this film. He's badass, he's got the coolest gadgets, the best lines and the coolest monsters. But does Atem make an appearance in this film? Well, I'll leave that open ;)
The story isn't really anything original but it keeps the magic of the original series very much alive whilst also progressing a plotline that is both exciting characterwise and rich in lore for the egyptian whacky stuff.
The Yu-Gi-Oh franchise has never looked better. The animation is crisp, the CGI is well integrated and the sound design is perfect. Solid 10 in this category.
Honestly my only gripe is the duels themselves. Because the plot has so much content and we want to see a lot of duels, they have been dumbed down to season 1 levels of ridiculousness. They're very pretty to look at, but a lot of the time you will be thinking "That card is BS!" or "How the hell did you do that?!" If you're into the actual card game, this will most likely bug you to no end.
Overall this film satisfied my childhood on a level I didn't even know I've wanted. This movie didn't just satisfy the fan inside me. It made me as a person happy :)
So for that it gets a solid 9/10
(Ratings are given solely on enjoyment factor)
