Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods

By: Robert Murphy

There isn't a single fan out there in the anime world who at one time or another heard the name Dragon Ball Z and for me the show has been a part of my childhood and the show that started it all for me in anime. But it has been a few years since we have seen the name come across with any big name titles but now that has all changed with Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods. Whether or not it can still charm it's viewers is something that I was more than determined to find out for myself. 

DBZ has always had an enjoyable blend of big action fights between powerful foes and the Z fighters that defend against evil but they also have tender hearted and lighter moments of fun to be had as well. Usually the big movies for DBZ have been all about the action but Battle of Gods hits more on your funny bones than action this time around. Things are light and bubbly for a good reason though as it is the birthday of a long time character for the show, Bulma. All the Z fighters and friends have turned up for this affair, even some characters that I didn't expect, Emperor Pilaf and his numskull partners turn up at a chance to try and grab the legendary dragon balls for the umpteenth time. Everyone is here for a good laugh and a good time, many having too much of a good time on some "punch" leading to some interesting antics and events. 

All this though flowed perfectly with the new threat that has come to darken Earth's door, Beerus. This Egyptian looking God of Destruction has awoken from his slumber earlier than expected due to a prophecy told to him that is suppose to take place, one where he would fight a legendary foe. After a brief recap by his right hand servant Whis on what Beerus has missed in his slumber it is revealed the legendary oppenent that he is meant to face looks like Goku but he would be in a different form on his level of godly power, a super saiyan god. This none the less makes Beerus almost immediately head for Earth in search for his hopeful foe and when Supreme Kai tells Goku of Beerus it enthralls Goku to want to fight just as much. 

Beerus and Whis as well are both great characters who fit in with the light mood of Bulma's birthday quite perfectly when they arrive. They fall in love with Earth's fine foods that Bulma's rich family is able to provide for the affair and he joins right in and even shows off some dance moves. He is not really an evil character like those of the past and even though he is a God of Destruction, you realize that he is an essential thing in keeping balance for the universe. He is a God though and at first contact with Goku he is unable to get a read on his power level but it does not stop him from trying to fight against Beerus. You immediately find out though that he is on a whole other level than Goku because even at Super Saiyan 3 Goku only lasts about thirty seconds in the fight. 

Battle of Gods also includes a fun sub plot to it where we learn just how famous Beerus really is when Vegeta first encounters him and he realizes that he briefly met Beerus before and saw his father bow in fear of him. This leads Vegeta to continually run around Bulma's party making sure Beerus stays level headed and happy so as to not destroy Earth or harm anyone at the party. He even goes so far as to perform a dance number in order to distract Beerus from the rage of having a stray bullet strike his forehead. 

Perhaps one of the best aspects to the film though is when the final fight finally happens against Beerus and Goku, once they discover how to attain the new level of super saiyan. Normally Goku would appear to save the day at the end of the movie after himself and the other Z fighters have failed to beat the big bad enemy in the movie and the brief voice over opening explains Goku's legendary knack for saving the day. But even when Goku gets the power he needs to win the fight, it isn't enough to beat Beerus and he walks away the definite victor at the end after a stellar but short fight. It's a nice debunking of the classic formula and things wrap up quite nicely with Beerus leaving parting wisdom to Goku and the two plan to fight one another again now that Goku has unlocked something within himself and hopefully can prove to be Beerus's continued foe.

In the end, I deeply enjoyed Battle of Gods. The whole movie provides for a great trip down memory lane as all the big names return for Bulma's birthday party and bring back some of the best parts of the light hearted humor the show has had throughout the years. There really isn't much in the way of action for the movie but both the little fights and big finally with Beerus were all fantastic. If anything the film definitely proves that DBZ can still be a part of the big leagues of anime long after you've grown up and moved on to other shows and I was certainly happy for it.

Good:

- A perfect light comedic addition to the DBZ movies

- Stellar fights especially the final fight with Beerus

- Beerus and Whis are great additions to the DBZ universe and Beerus has become one of my favorite characters

- The new super saiyan form isn't outrageous or ridiculous and even though I've grown tired of new SS forms this one was solid

Bad:

- The fights are short but enjoyable and don't play a main role in the movie so if you were looking for that you won't be satisfied 

Scully Rating: 8.8 out of 10