Welcome to the first of my Dragon Ball film reviews! Today, we're going to review the original Dragon Ball trilogy... hence the title of this post. Duh. And for those wondering why I'm not including the "fourth" Dragon Ball film? Yeah, that was the final Dragon Ball film released until Battle of Gods, so we will get to Path to Power eventually.
So before we get into the reviews, let's lay some of the basics down. First, I'm reviewing the original Japanese versions, not the dubs. My reasoning is that this is the purest form to view these films, and also allows me to approach them with a fresh eye. Though I will point things out I remember about the dub if I feel like it. Second, I will be using the dvds, not the blurays. Why? ...because I don't own them yet. Third, I will not talk about the specials, so no Trunks or Bardock. Sorry. Maybe later. And lastly, this is all just my opinion, and everyone's opinion is legitimate. Everyone good? Good. So let's get started!
CURSE OF THE BLOOD RUBIES/ THE LEGEND OF SHENLONG
Our film begins with an explanation about what the Dragon Balls are. Why? Well, because this is a reboot, baby! Yes, we get to see how the gang got together all over again! But wait, what would a Dragon Ball movie be without Pansy, the greatest character of all! ...wait, who the hfil is Pansy?! Well... she's the main character of this movie. Seriously. She's the one with the story motivation and connection with the villain. Heck, she's the one that we're introduced to first! Well, she's out to save her land from the evil forces of her king's construction crew! Those sinister freaks! Oh, and then Goku meets Bulma. It's exactly like tv series, except Bulma is driving a bike! And then Bulma gets into a dogfight with the King's minions, because she's 16 and is upset. ...well, eventually the meet Oolong thanks to Pansy, Yamcha and Puar thanks to Pansy, and then Roshi thanks to Pansy. ...I think Pansy may be a Mary Sue... Well, they finally lead a charge on the evil king's castle so that Bulma can save the day! ...wow, that's something you never hear... And then Pansy gets her wish and the king becomes good! ...yay. And then Goku get's as sick of this crap as I am and takes off to be in a better film.
So as you can tell, I am not a fan of this film. The best parts are things we saw already in the series, and the new stuff is just... lifeless. The movie isn't offensive, and the king is pretty cool looking, but as a whole it is not a great start to the trilogy. Still, it could be a good way to introduce newcomers to Dragon Ball... maybe. I say just watch the Pilaf Saga...
SLEEPING PRINCESS IN DEVIL'S CASTLE
So some time after the first film, Goku decides to crash at Roshi's for a while so that Roshi will train him. Roshi is not amused. And then, when all hope was lost, KRILLIN ARRIVES! ...and there was great rejoicing. So since both boys want to train with him, Roshi tells them that whoever brings him the legendary Sleeping Princess will be trained. And so they're off! After the two leave, Bulma and Co arrive at the plot. Roshi tells them that Goku went to an amusement park, and the gang takes off. Eventually, everyone arrives at Devil's Castle, run by a vampire named Lucifer. Yes, really. And he wears sunglasses! Well, the obvious villain's plan is to use the Sleeping Princess, in reality a gem, to power up a machine to BLOW UP THE SUN!!! Hardcore, man, hardcore. Oh, and Launch shows up and sneezes. Well, after getting caught and going Oozaru to confuse Funimations dubbing team, Goku takes out the machine and Lucifer with a kamehameha. Roshi accepts both boys as his pupils, and the movie ends with Launch revealing her split personality.
I want to start by saying that this film IS a lot better than the last one. For starters, no Mary Sues in this film, and Goku actually defeats the villain. There's also this really cool character arc of Krillin becoming Goku's friend. However, the animation in this film is just ugly. It's super dark most of the time, the new characters look generic and ugly, and there are some really choppy and cheap animations. Over all, decent enough of a film, but not one I'll want to watch again soon.
MYSTICAL ADVENTURE
We start our film with the murder of the Pilaf gang! ...wow, that was sad. We then have our opening theme with a montage of Goku and Krillin training. Because of how awesome they did training, Roshi takes them to the martial arts tournament in Milan, the kingdom ruled by Emperor Chaozu! ...wait, what?! Yeah, he's an emperor now. Huh. Oh yeah, the bad guys are the Crane Hermit, Tao Pai Pai, and Tenshinhan. I'm dead serious. So the bad guys are looking for the Dragon Balls, and gather all of them but the 4 star ball, which Bora and Upa have found. Bora and Upa sneak the ball into the tournament in the hopes that they can tell the emperor about the three villains tricking him. ...that plan ends with Bora dead, and the villains starting their coup. ...oops. Goku is also assumed dead, but the four star ball, given back to him before by Bora, protects him. Korin helps him with a Senzu, also teaching him how to fight better, and Goku prepares to take down Tao Pai Pai. Also, ARALE-CHAN SHOWS UP! YAY! Well, Tao Pai Pai is killed, Tenshinhan turns good and kills the Crane Hermit, and Upa uses the Dragon Balls to resurrect Bora. And... that's all she wrote for the Trilogy!
For me, this is easily the best movie in the trilogy. The animation, story, and characters are both entertaining and yet pretty unique. Yes, it reuses a lot of stuff, but feels more like a remix then a straight retelling. It's not perfect, especially how the end just kind of shows up and how Yamcha and Co are just wasted here, but to me the pros out weigh the cons.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The original trilogy is certainly unique. It's the only movies with clear continuity, and the only ones that make it clear they have their own canon. For whatever reason, all of the Z movies act like they're in the main canon, despite not being possible to be. So as a whole, is the original trilogy worth watching? Well... kinda. Here's the thing, the first movie is stuff you've already seen, the second one is something new that's hard to see, and the third one is a fun remix of events and characters to make a new story. It by no means should replace the original Dragon Ball series, but is kind of fun to watch as more of a what if. Plus, it could be a decent way to introduce Dragon Ball to newbies. It'll take like 2 hours to watch all three, and there's worse ways to spend two hours, so if it sounds interesting, check them out.
Next time we start rocking the Dragon proper with the first 3 movies in Z. So eat an apple, melt some ice, and grow a tree, it's what I refer to as the Transition trilogy!
I am The R2 Dude, and this is The R2 View!
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