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

Dragon Ball Z. It’s like a gateway anime really. If you’ve never seen any of this series before (or any of its movies), then you could almost watch this and not be confused. However, there are a few tidbits in there that would make things just that much clearer. But if you’re just interested in seeing tons of fighting and big explosions, you could do it.

The details of this movie are really pretty cut and dry. Dr. Gero (remember him from way back when anyone? Hehe) apparently did not just build Androids #17, 18, and 19. After his death his computer kept on going and finished Androids #13, 14, and 15. Eventually they are released and what’s their main objective? To kill John Conner - oh, wait, sorry, wrong movie. To kill Goku! Of course. What else would they want to do? That’s all anyone ever wants to do…

So they go about trashing the city in their search for Goku. Meanwhile we get to see what it’s like when Goku and the others go to the mall. Goofy things, I’ll tell ya that. Finally the androids find Goku and immediately go after him. Trunks helps out and soon after the two leave for a polar region nearby instead of fighting in the city to help conserve human life. It isn’t very long before Gohan and Krillin follow (much to Krillin’s distaste).

As the two Saiya-jins battle, who else should show up but the rest of the Z team? Vegeta shows up first to give Goku a helping hand (only his reasoning is that he’s supposed to kill Goku and no one else). Piccolo isn’t far behind to (of course) help out Gohan. So now it’s three Super Saiya-jin vs. 3 nasty androids. Who wins? Well, it’s obvious who wins, but what you might not know is what happens before the end and how things actually do end.

As an avid fan of DBZ, I was excited to see a movie I hadn’t encountered before. I actually already knew most of what happened, having looked up info about everything DBZ a while back. However, I was easily able to predict what was going to happen next. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because the pieces are pretty easy to put together anyway. It’s pretty much your typical DBZ movie; bad guys show up, everyone fights, lots of things blow up, the good guys win, everyone has a happy ending (well, except for the bad guys). I actually liked the very end the best after the question of “Where’s Vegeta and Piccolo?” comes up. Haha…those two crack me up sometimes…

Issues some people might have with this movie? The timeline. Do I care? No. Should you? No. Half the movies made have no connection to the series timeline. Just watch movie 13 – that one will really throw you for a loop. Dubbing? Well, the dubbing is always iffy when it comes to the bad guys in DBZ. Freeza. Perfect Cell. Need I say more? So, as I always say, just go for the subtitles. You can’t go wrong there.

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 – Cooler’s Revenge
Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – The Return of Cooler
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: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older