Pros: It actually works out with the series!
Cons: After thinking about it, this could have been shorter, but where's the fun in that?
The Bottom Line: Hey, as long as you don't get it fansubbed, it's all good. ;-) And actually it's more of a 3.5 stars movie than just 3.
Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot. Cooler’s Revenge eh? Well this is his first appearance, so why the revenge? And the first time I saw this movie it was actually a fandub (a movie dubbed by fans and no professionals) – beware of those. I wanted to shoot myself before the movie was half over because it was so bad. Krillin sounded like Barney Rubble and Piccolo might as well have just scratched his nails down a chalkboard the entire time…but let us continue.
A quick history lesson in the wide world of Dragon Ball Z, more commonly known as DBZ will be first though. DBZ started out as an anime (Japanese animation series) and eventually got so popular they made movies. Cool! It was created by Akira Toriyama and involves a main character whose name is Goku. Goku is a Saiyan (or in Japanese, Saiya-jin), a superman-like character, only he can’t do the freezing breath or laser eyes. He’s just super powerful (personally I think he could beat Superman…) and able to manipulate “ki” (energy). Anyway, the driving force behind DBZ are the dragonballs. Just think a magic lamp with a genie inside. Collect all 7 and you get a wish…or three. Depends. Evetually though, the bad guys forget all about them and either just want to kill Goku and all his friends (who are pretty powerful themselves – not all of them human either) or blow up the earth. It happens.
That’s what the bad guys want to do here – kill Goku and all his buddies.
A quick overview of the movie? Cooler is the brother of Frieza (or Freezer in Japanese), and when he finds out his brother is dead (Goku killed Frieza in the series), naturally he wants to duke it out with the powerful being (Goku) who killed his brother. He’s got some lackeys with him too so now everyone gets to play!
Actually…that’s about it. Haha. Everyone is relaxing, thinking everything is hunky dory, taking a camping trip, fishing and whatnot, when suddenly a spaceship shows up and out pop Cooler and his boys. However, there is a slight problem. Cooler is even stronger than Frieza! Uh oh. How is Goku going to beat him now if it took all he had to stop Frieza? This could prove to be more difficult than they thought. Because is Cooler doesn’t get his way, he’ll just take everyone out by blowing up the entire planet! Looks like Goku and the others have their work cut out for them.
This movie actually coincides with the series, unlike most of the others that contain a few plot holes here and there (some with major ones), which is kind of nice for a change. This is a pretty good movie, though sometimes I’m amused because I just wonder at certain points, “Well duh, you knew you were gonna have to do that in the first place Goku – why didn’t you and save yourself the grief?”
As usual, you can get either VHS or DVD, but I recommend DVD just because you’ll get the choice of having it subbed – and that’s always better. Just make sure it’s not fandubbed. Haha.
NT
Other DBZ reviews:
The Movies:
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Dead Zone
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie - The World's Strongest
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie - The Tree of Might
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – The Return of Cooler
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Super Android 13
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Bojack Unbound
The Series:
Dragon Ball Z - Saiyan Saga: 8-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Namek Saga: 9-Volume Set
Dragon Ball Z - Captain Ginyu Saga: 2-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Frieza Saga: 10-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Garlic Jr. Saga: 3-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Trunks Saga: 4-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Androids Saga: 4-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Imperfect Cell Saga: 4-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Perfect Cell Saga: 4-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - World Tournament Saga: 3-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Babidi Saga: 4-Volume Box Set
Dragon Ball Z - Majin Buu Saga: 7-Volume Box Set
Recommended:
Yes
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
