The story is pretty light-weight since the whole purpose of this film - and its subsequent movies - are all about giving us more reason to watch Goku punch stuff, but it's still engaging none-the-less. While the premise was interesting enough for me to keep watching, the risk factor was absent from the beginning. Having the main villain wish and receive immortality despite the fact that the villain is never shown in any other DBZ media immediately makes me comfortable knowing he losses in the end. I understand that that's how every single film is, considering it's all non-canon alt. universe stuff, but it still matters when you're spending 45+ minutes watching something.
Even so, I was still into it, especially since this was the first DBZ movie I had watched in years. I was hyped to finally start them since I finally reached their respective points in the manga (at least, where they WOULD be) and so it didn't really bother me that the plot was essentially "Give me back my kid!" And nothing more.
The ending was quite anti-climactic for me solely because there isn't some awesome, choreographed fight, but a stand-off with a giant humanoid creature. This is somewhat repeated in a few other DBZ films and it's so boring to watch. I like seeing the DBZ heroes overcome their adversary with sheer force. If I want a cunning victory, have it be cunning with punches, I don't know. Maybe I'm just being a baby about it but perhaps you can sympathize with the excitement of watching two macho guys - one good and one bad - going at it for real. I mean, this happens in the manga all the time and it rocks. Why not do it in a movie?
Art:
The animation is decent and I never found it bothersome. I recall a scene that used a previous shot but otherwise, everything was gucci.
Sound:
I watched the Funimation dub and, as is expected, it was quite enjoyable. I also found the soundtrack to be decent as most of the funimation dubs do away with the original OST (something I detest. Just alter the voices, not the music!)
Character:
Nothing particularly special about any of the characters in this film but I did enjoy that bit where Piccolo immediately wanted to fight Goku after they thought their troubles had vanished. I enjoy the little bits of in-world content that seep into these films that seem to reside outside of the canon universe. It makes sense that Piccolo would wanna jump at any opportunity to duel Goku once more. It's fun.
Enjoyment:
A solid entry but not necessary. I didn't need this film but it's not like I regret watching it.
((If you liked this review, feel free to check out my others! I review most manga and anime I finish!))
