Movie Review: Dragon Ball Super Broly

Disclaimer: This review isn't a part of storyline of movie review 2019. Readers discretion is advised.

Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back my movie review.

As i talked about from my game review of "Dragon Ball Xenoverse", i am a fan of Dragon Ball series, even though in my young age, i used to stay away from it, but as i grew up, i got a lot attention from the series that its been 35 years, from the life of Goku to become a powerful martial arts to the savior of the universe. But after the show "Dragon Ball Super" with "Tournament of Power", its no secret that Toei and Akira Toriyama are gonna make more like the recent ONA (Original Net Animation) and even the one recent film that il talk about today.

"Dragon Ball Super: Broly" is a 2018 anime movie of Dragon Ball series, directed by Tatsuya Nagamine, Naohiro Shintani (for animation) and Kazuo Ogura (for art) and written by Akira Toriyama himself.

Though at first, we though that this is like a sequel after three films in the popularity of  "Dragon Ball Z". but in reality, despite Broly remains the same, but it was considered a reworked and he'll being part of DBS. So in other words, this is sorta reboot of the mysterious villain, but in different dimension than DBZ version. When it came out, it was well received for another intense action, a welcome return like Broly (almost) and nice introduction of new characters. And one more thing, im going with the English dub by Funimation, just to heads up when i was watching.

So, with all that said, will the new Broly holds up in our current Gen, or is this film could be embarrassing as "Bio-Broly"?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

With this sorta reboot, you think that it could be a similar plot as "Broly The Legendary Super Saiyan"? Well, it sorta like it.

The movie started as a prologue that we've heard before, but with some twist, the Saiyan's planet Vegeta was ruled by King Cold that brought his son "Frieza" for the command. Meanwhile, the leader of the Saiyans King Vegeta believes his son with a same name will the prodigy for destiny and rule the universe, but another kid name Broly was declared to be extremely dangerous that he plans to send him off the planet, but Broly's father Paragus refuses his demand, which before he's about to be executed, he escaped to find his son from the the planet Vampa before ended up stranded. Five years, Bardock was very suspicious over Frieza and concern when he's about to destroy the planet, so as we all know, Bardock brought his son Kakarot (but later as Goku) to Earth before planet Vegeta is destroyed by Frieza's hand (which he later lied it as a "meteor crash"). Fast forward to present time (taken place after Tournament of power), Goku and Vegeta are fighting each other for of course, more training. However, Bulma received a bad news that the dragon balls are stolen from Frieza's force, which they have to get them back. Meanwhile Broly and his father Paragus are rescued by two low-class soldiers name Cheelai and Lemo to Frieza in order to not only get seven dragon balls, but also plan to kill Goku and Vegeta. So, not only our heros has to get the balls, but also up to them facing against the powerful Broly.

I find the story itself is rather very simple, i mean it feels more of an extended episode of Dragon Ball Super in 100 minutes running time. Even though im not interest that they use the reminder origin of Goku (like we've seen before), but i think i like Broly's new origin, it somewhat like Goku's origin, but in reversed, when King Vegeta said that he's dangerous than his son Vegeta by sent him to far the planet far away, but of course, it also has a chemistry between Broly and Low class soldiers, especially for Cheelai, which she has a sympathy to him, believing that Paragus abuses his son as tool before Broly risking his control of rampage. I really like they Akira came up to make Broly not only being uncontrollable Saiyan for destruction, but also a sympathetic figure that he wants to be free than being a slave from Paragus. While the rest is not much else for the story, just started with the character development and then straight to the big fighting scene. As for the English dub, well, its rather good to following up, especially for some fun and interesting dialogues.

Even though the writing feels like nothing special, but i like what they brought us for a new elements, specially for Broly's new origin.

The Animation

As we all know, the animation of this movie was done with Toei and i gotta say, the presentation of this movie looks pretty cool.

For starter, the animation looks impressive for anime, but what i noticed is they try to make somewhat of old school animation without the high quality what they did in "Dragon Ball Super", in order to go more with a flat colors with shades. Even though it could be limited, but the background and the effects are look great too.

But course, they're also using CGI for several moments like Frieza's ships and the battle scene in the ice continent, i find the CG are ok at the time. its just im only a fan of anime that are only done in hand-drawn, but with CG, its rather limited, sometimes they look good, but others are pretty video game-ish look. In this movie, the GCs are rather below average, i find that most may look good, but other looks pretty cheap in a bit low quality.

But of course, the action scenes are easily the highlight and boy it looks pretty intense with the battle between Goku and Vegeta vs Broly. Even though it looks cool for the fighting, charging powers and even quick paste, its always fun and impact to watch, especially for the build up for Broly's super forms.

And one last thing, the music are great to listen, especially the remix of Japanese Dragon Ball Z theme.

Even though it could be limited for the animation, but it still looks great for the actions and the designs, at the time.

The Characters

If you're grown up with Dragon Ball series, im sure some of you are familiar with the characters. But for those are not familiar of the series, il explain them, even though its not too much of our familiar faces.

First up is Goku, aka Kakarot (voiced by my favorite voice actor Sean Schemmel), as we all know, Goku is a carefree, cheerful, curious and friendly hero on Earth, but of course as we went into action, he goes serious, mind-strategic and quiet powerful as we like to rooting for him. Its no secret that we love Goku, whether he transforms into Super Saiyans in epic fight scene or even overly curious at something. But of course, i always love the voice performance of Sean Schemmel

Next we have Vegeta (voiced by Christopher Sabat), he's a price of Saiyan that he wanted to be the deal for his skills and powers, even though in reality, he just comes off as arrogant and stubborn whenever it doesn't going on his way, despite he gets a respect to Goku, but he's easily the antihero thanks to the rival with him. Like Sean, Chris Sabat's role is also classic, but of course he also voiced Piccolo.

Then we have Broly (voiced by Vic Mignogna), this new version of Broly that despite remains the same, but he's more of a sympathetic figure that he was being treated as a slave from Paragus, especially that in his outfit, his fur belt was an ear of a monster called "Ba". But of course if he's taking himself seriously or even losing his love one, it caused himself into madness in ultimate form known as "Legendary Super Saiyan". Though unlike DBZ version that he swears his revenge towards Goku and menacing beast, in this version, he wanted to be peaceful, but difficult start that he's been enslave by his father, i guess it explained why Cheelai sees him a poor Saiyan that he wants to be free and quiet. He's rather an interesting somewhat sympathetic antagonist. Even though Vic did a great work of his role, but felt flat quickly, due to report that he had sexual allegation, resulting got fired from Funimation and Rooster Teeth and several other individuals, but Vic denied about it, resulting to suing at Funimation for defamation and tortious interference, but the case was dismissed from Funimationed filled at Anti-SLAPP motion. The whole thing is just sad...!

Speaking of Broly's father, there's Paragus (voiced by Dameon Clarke), though at first, he's a rogue Saiyan that he wants his son Broly to be with him after being launched before he's about to be executed, which he's gonna be like caretaker of his son. But in reality, he's not the best father, he's more stubborn and probably abusive towards his son for his order. It might've great if he's gonna be the main antagonist, but he's somewhat of neutral.

Finally we have Frieza (voiced by Christopher Ayres) as we all know, he's easily the biggest antagonist of the series, an evil overlord alien for his goal of destroying Saiyans and seeks to kill Goku, but of course he was killed off and later resurrected throughout the series whether he's an recurring enemy or unlikely ally during "Tournament of Power", but he's always quiet as ruthless and power that we've never expecting. Even if his wishing goal is rather questionably dumb that he wants to be bigger over five centimeters. Despite Chris was diagnosed of  COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), he does returned to playing as an iconic villain of the series, and he did a great role as Frieza.

As for the new characters, its rather less to talk about. The big deal for the new characters is Cheelai (voiced by Erica Lindbeck) and Lemo (voiced by Bruce Carey), these two low-class soldiers are somewhat of focus of their introduction, especially when they rescued Broly and Paragus, they started as a bad guys, but becoming in good side a bit, thanks for the feeling of Broly. For Lemo, he's pretty much a one dimensional character, but Cheelai is easily the likable one of the movie, thanks to her respect to Broly to expressing her feeling about his father. Not only she has a sympathy, but she's quiet delinquent, sassy and opinionated. Even though i like most of females of Dragon Ball series like 18, Caulifla and Kale, but i like the newcomer such as Cheelai, she's respectful and cute.

As for the rest, they did add more characters, even though there's not much that we see, such as Bulma (voiced by Monica Rial) who's Vegeta's wife who's a genius scientist and other times being a B*****, Whis (voiced by Ian Sinclair) an angelic accompanies with our heroes and God of Destruction, and Beerus (voiced by Jason Douglas) the God of Destruction that he's being laid-back and occasionally fights anyone who's worthy.

The characters is always nice to see them again, but of course the new Broly is pretty good change and one new character Cheelai is easily likable. But of course, the English dub will always never disappoints, for the most part a bit.

Spoiler Alert, for those who haven't seen this movie or if you don't care:

The final act is about to get heated that after Paragus was killed by Frieza out of nowhere (even though im rather ok for killing off abusive father), Broly is going on berserk to transforming into Legendary Super Saiyan that he starts the heck out of not just Goku or Vegeta, but Frieza as well. When Cheelai and Lemo saw this, it was enough is enough for the chaotic battle that they decided to using seven dragon balls to call upon Shenron for granting the wish. Cheelai wishes to bring Broly back to Vampa peacefully, resulting the battle abruptly stopped before Gogeta uses the powerful "Kamehameha". And in the end, Goku shows up to see Broly again along with first meeting Cheelai and Lemo to live by giving them Capsule Corp and senzu beans for their survival and wishes to see them again next time.

Its rather unexpected for the end the big battle, but hey, at least im glad Cheelai and Lemo saved Broly without get killed by Gogeta. Aw well, at least Goku gives a help and a respect to Broly, Cheelai and Lemo. Since after the movie, maybe we would like to see them again in the future.

And now for my final opinion of this film.

Overall, "Dragon Ball Super: Broly" is a pretty good film of DBS series, the animation is nice for the hand drawn quality, the battle sequence is quick and intense and the characters are always fun and likable, especially with the new Broly and Cheelai. Though the story is ok that its just start with origin, plot development and finally to the epic battle, which it feels rather an extended episode of DBS show and some of CG is weak to show. If you're a fan of Dragon Ball series or if you're curious about the new Broly than the counterpart version of DBZ, i'd say check this out.

For my rating, i give this one an 8/10. It may have some flaws, its still a good movie.

So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.