Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2014) Review
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Genre:
Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Anime
Rating:
TV-PG
Run Time:
85 minutes
Release Date:
August 5, 2014
(limited U.S. release)
Original Author:
Akira Toriyama
Distributor:
Funimation
(limited U.S. release)
Original Author:
Akira Toriyama
Distributor:
Funimation
Plot Synopsis:
Earth's Greatest Hero Takes His Place Among the Gods
Stunning animation and epic new villains highlight the first new Dragon Ball Z feature film in seventeen years! Beerus, the God of Destruction, travels to Earth in search of a good fight. Only Goku, humanity's greatest hero, can ascend to the level of a Super Saiyan God and stop Beerus's rampage!
Stunning animation and epic new villains highlight the first new Dragon Ball Z feature film in seventeen years! Beerus, the God of Destruction, travels to Earth in search of a good fight. Only Goku, humanity's greatest hero, can ascend to the level of a Super Saiyan God and stop Beerus's rampage!
Well, when an opportunity to watch and review a popular anime feature film came up, I wasn't sure how I would be able to review this film since I was not familiar with this series....then it dawned on me! My daughter, Mariah, is a HUGE fan of anime; hence, she was already familiar with the Dragon Ball Z series. It has been a while since I followed any anime series since Robotech back in the late 1980s!
Mariah's Review:
The overall movie was more light-hearted compared to the general impression of Dragon Ball Z: pure explosions and a lot of battle cries. Goku is completely naive and friendly towards a highly destructive God, Bulma's birthday has brought everyone together for festivities (minus Goku and Vegeta, who would rather train) and put these together you get Vegeta to dance happily for a game of Bingo. The arrival of our God of Destruction is cheerful when he leaves Goku after their first encounter. Beerus isn't the average diabolic trying to destroy for his own pleasure, maybe a little. He's playful and likable with a vivacious appetite which gets him easily invited to join in Bulma's party. But he has the temper of a spoiled brat. Put him together with Goku, the atmosphere is jolly but the tension is very real underneath.
Goku has trained all his life to become the best fighter in existence and this "Super Saiyan God" form is the only amount of power he obtains without his own training. It wasn't enough that he could destroy an entire planet with a single spirit bomb but he can become even stronger. Despite Goku's great achievements, he's honestly no match for this opponent. Beerus is a very affable, powerful antagonist that has every right to be arrogant when facing off against Goku. He doesn't even sweat until his big fight scene.
We don't leave the movie itching for action but more with a smile. The battle was immense but short lived and the "Super Saiyan God" performed a little underwhelming for the same reason. The graphics/artwork are better than when I was a kid and the characters returning and new are very likable. I was more laughing happily with the merriment of everyone being afraid of Beerus, like King Kai and Vegeta, or completely clueless of Beerus' rank, like everyone at the party, than on the edge of my seat. Goku's open attitude makes valuable allies. You won't hate Beerus in the end, Vegeta's humbled as he usually would be by his friends, and sadly Goku only got a wee bit stronger after it all. The movie doesn't keep you on the edge of your seat but, at least, there are the thoughts, as you watch, "When will Beerus snap?" and "I bet Goku's gonna win this one," in the back of your mind.
Mariah's rating:
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