Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Dragon Ball Z. A long running series with a total of 13 movies to speak of. This is the very first DBZ movie that was made. Don’t know what DBZ is? Well, it’s a long story, so if you really wanna know, I suggest going back and doing some research. However, it’s pretty possible to watch this movie without any problems. Ah, what the heck, I’ll give you a quick crash course in what you need to know.

The hero – Goku, a non-human guy who has Superman-like powers.
The 7 Dragon Balls – 7 special balls when, if all are collected, a large dragon appears to grant a wish.
Kami – the protector of earth (even though in my personal opinion, he doesn’t do a very good job of it)

Actually, that’s pretty much it. On with the story!

As usual, it’s a nice day where Goku and his family lives. Gohan is looking through a book (he’s so little in this movie!) and Goku is off in a river doing some fishing (for really big fish…and with his bare hands). But things take a turn for the worst when three nefarious characters show up and kidnap Gohan! Goku instantly knows something is wrong (which was cute to see) and rushes off to find that his wife has been knocked around a little in trying to protect their son. Goku is not happy.

Gohan was kidnapped in order to collect the four-star dragon ball, which happens to be on his hat. Why didn’t they just take the hat? Doy, cuz then we wouldn’t have movie. The leader of the three that attacked is named Garlic Jr. (don’t ask). He wants immortality so that he can rule the world and gain revenge for his father. And then, a remarkable thing happens – Garlic Jr. does the one thing no one else has ever been able to do in the rest of the Dragon Ball series; he actually gets immortality! That’s a bad thing.

Goku, along with his best friend Krillin, head out for Garlic Jr.’s stronghold to get Gohan back. But it isn’t going to be an easy task, and even if they are able to take out Garlic’s three strong henchmen, how are they going to kill someone who can’t die?

This is a fun movie to watch, even though I’m still not the biggest fan of the whole Gohan getting a little drugged (he ate a piece of fruit from a tree and got drunk, or something to that effect) and had a little hallucinatory episode. Though some parts were funny, I just thought that the movie could do without it. However, a lot of other people really like it, so to each his own. As for the fight scenes, those were pretty good. I remember way back when I first saw this movie, I got a total kick out of it. And Piccolo makes an appearance, as he does in pretty much all the movies, and you can’t go wrong with Piccolo.

On another note, several other reviews have listed as a con that the movie is too short. Frankly I thought it was just right for the plot and content the story contained. I think if they had tried to make it longer it would have dragged, and there isn't much of a way to make it longer, aside from having perhaps longer fight scenes. The plot is simple - rescue Gohan and kill the bad guys. It's pretty much a straight shot and Goku's going to get to Garlic's place as fast as possible, so he's not going to hang around at anyone's place discussing things. Besides, it's annoying enough in the series when they turn 5 minutes into 4 episodes.

I never minded the original dub for DBZ, especially for Piccolo and Krillin. I’m one of the few that is able to appreciate the dubs, but as you all know, I enjoy a good sub as well. This one is pretty kid safe – definitely kid safe if you get the dubbed and cut version. If you get the original, then watch out. I think especially for the scene when Gohan is getting out of his drunken stupor and, ah, relieves himself on Krillin’s head. Poor Krillin.

I love DBZ. Hehe.

NT


Other DBZ reviews:
The Movies:
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie - The World's Strongest
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie - The Tree of Might
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Cooler’s Revenge
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 (yeah, that's right - the little snot came back!)
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: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older