Customer Reviews

Dragon Ball Z - Bardock: The Father of Goku

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...I really enjoyed this one. It MUST be watched in its original language to be really appreciated and that's the strength of this DVD. It has the original version with English sub titles!

The reason I was unsure about the story line is that it was about Bardock, I mean, who cares about Goku's father, right? It's Goku and Vegeta and Piccolo we all care about, right? But despite my reservations this was a rousing good story giving us a rare glimpse into the past and the lives of the Saiyins. In the Japanese version Bardock comes across as the trained soldier that he is, ruthless and single minded until he is granted the chance to see things from another point of view and therefore begin questioning for the first time in his life.

In the English version they try to whitewash him a bit and it just doesn't work. The beauty of the story is Bardock's realisation of what he and his people have allowed themselves to become in the service of Frieza, making the destruction of his race all the more poignant.

I recommend any anime title that has the original Japanese version on it anyway, but this one really illustrates the differences between the original and Funimations condescending makeover. Watch the two versions one after another and see if you agree with me!

The Bardock TV special contradicts, or at least confuses the issue, with respect to some of the earlier material. However, it was generally accepted (even by Toriyama-sensei) as canon, and it's one of the best DBZ stories. Bardock, Goku's father, is a fairly typical Saiyajin, helping crush and conquer planets (and commit genocide) for the employer of most Saiyajin warriors, Freezer. But on one of these planets, the last surviving power warrior strikes Bardock to his soul, cursing him with the ability to see the future; it's a curse because the vision shows him the forthcoming destruction of his entire race. His newly-born son Kakaratto shares this vision (and thus cries a lot). Bardock eventually discovers that it is Freezer who intends to destroy them, having decided that the Saiyajin as a race might eventually pose a threat to him and his people. Bardock's desperate attempts to forestall fate transform him from a thoughtless mercenary to a rough hero, at least for this short time, and he shows a warrior potential far beyond anything Freezer expected. Though he is defeated, in death he is at least granted a last vision of the future which shows his son -- grown up and the living mirror image of his father -- will confront and defeat the psychotic alien.

Not only is this a pretty fancy and complex story for a DBZ movie, but it's well told, well acted (in the original Japanese), and has the very cool combat theme song called "Solid State Scouter". A must-have for any DBZ fan.

Okay, so Funimation seems to just grab people off the street to dub the voices for their English Dragon Ball Z releases, and the way they mess up the original plots and music makes my skin crawl. At least they've started giving us the option to view the movies in the original Japanese with directly translated subtitles!

The plot of this movie (originally a TV special in Japan) is darker than most DBZ tales, and portrays a very Japanese sense of honor and vindication. Goku's father, who we know to have been killed by Freeza, is "cursed" by a dying alien to see the future of his race. As the movie progresses, he periodically sees flashes of his infant son Goku growing up, and the destruction of planet Vegita. When none of his comrades will believe his premonitions, Bardock embarks on a last ditch effort to stop Freeza and change his future.

If you are a DBZ fan GET THIS DVD. Just do yourself a favor and DON'T WATCH THE ENGLISH DUB!

I own this on VHS and I plan to purchase the DVD for the original dialog version. By far this movie had the best story of the series. It takes a much darker path than the usually light-hearted theme of the series. It follows Goku's dad Bardock and what eventually becomes the fatefull day that triggers a series of events leading to Dragonball and DBZ. The rock music fit the scenes and the animation good but seemed a bit cut up as if it were editted for some reason.(SPOILER) If you have been following the story, a lot happens on that day in this movie that is not shown.
Goku aka Kakarot and Broly (not shown) are born. Prince Vegeta training, is sent away on a mission. Kakarot is sent to earth. King Vegeta's attempts to kill Broly and Freiza (not shown) fail. He in fact is killed by Freiza (not shown). Cooler allows Kakarot to escape to earth (mistake). Bardock growing stronger, is noticed by Freiza, and becomes a target for assination. His team is decimated. Gifted with visions Bardock sees the end of his Sayian home and chooses to meet it head on. Freiza destroys him and planet vegeta, Broly and his father escape the blast (not shown). Goku, Vegeta, Nappa, Raditz, Turrlis, Broly and his father are the only sayians remaining. There are flashbacks in the show and in a few movies that if pieced together would fit into this movie making it complete. Easily the best movie I've seen so far of DBZ but it would be nice to see it in its entirety.

Orginal a TV special in Japan from the hit seris based on the famous manga by Akira Toriyama, Bardock, the Father of Goku is another wonderful addition to any and all Dragon Ball Z collectors.

We start out on the planet of Vejita-seii (or planet Vegeta in English). On that planet, a young baby Saiya-jin who was just born let out his first cry. The name of the this baby, Kakarotto (english is Kakarotte). Kakarotto is the son of Bardock, third class warroir of Vejita-seii. But how can Bardock show no compassion to his new son?

Next we follow Bardock and crew, Celipa (fosha in English), Toura(his original nane is Toma), and two other Saiya-jins of which I was not able to find out their names. The crew is on a purging mission for Frieza. Frieza has sent them to the planet of Kanassa. But just why would the all mightly Frieza want to dominate a planet with weaklings, and poor tecknowlogy? The answer comes in the Kanassa-jinn's ablility to see the future in visions.

After the short battle, Kanassa has been conqoured. While taking a break, Bardock and crew soon find out that there was one Kanassan-jinn that was left alive. The survivor of the broken planet left his mark upon Bardock and crew. In a finnaly assult before being killed, the Kanassan-jinn crused Bardock with the power to see the future in the form of visions. It was after this when Bardock began to see vissions of Vejita-seii being destroyed, and Freiza gawking at the sight. He also saw vission of a great battle being held between Kakarotto, and Frieza.

At first Bardock is in denial of the truth about the ominous images, but soon after hearing from Dodoria, he comes to realize the truth behind his sights. In an attempt to change the future of Vejita-seii, Bardock tries to single handedly kill Frieza, but all in vain. Freiza blows up Vejita-seii. But just before death, Bardock lays sight upon his son Kakarotto, and tells his son to avenge the Saiya-jins, and the fate of Vejita-seii.

This DVD is one of the darker and more evil aspects of Dragon Ball Z. The darkness that is only rivaled by The History of Trunks. There is quite a large amound of blood, violence, and kick butt battles. But then again isn;t that what Dragon Ball Z is all about? And the best part about this DVD is...? All of the drop dead handsome bishonen, with the exeption of Toma. Even Chibi Vegeta falls into that catagory. I know you are thinking that I am crazed, well I am.

Sound wise, this DVD is awsome. Hell, even the English versio has some good music. All the same, I still am a firm beleiver that the Japanese version is the best when it comes to everything. In the Japanese many of the seiyuu act out their characters wonderfully. The only bad thing about the Japanese version is Zarbon dosen't have his ultra-cute aussie accent. Even in the English, they found a different person to voice Zarbon for this movie. I just love the australlian accent of Zarbon in the seris, I can't help it.

The people at FUNimatio must just pull people off the streets and ask them to play characters from anime seris. None of the English voices match the characters. Even Seliqia (Fosha) has a male voice in the dubb, duhh!! I wondered if they noticed that she is a FEMALE. And why did they have the same guy who plays Kuririn in the Dragon Ball Z TV show play Bardock? That just drives me nuts.

Take my advise, don't watch the English, stick to the original splendor of the Japanese version. The version that the original creator Akira Toriyama helped in the process of the animation.

All in all, exellent buy. Well worth the money. A wonderful addition of any anime collector.

For the most part there are 4, short mini series that wouldn't tie into the main storylines. These episodes include Coolers Revenge, Lord Slug, History of Trunks, and Bardock Father of Goku. Of the 4 Bardock is definetly the best of the bunch. Why, best story, awsome action, and an actual view of why Vegeta was destroyed and Frieza's worse fear.

The story for this one goes like this. Bardock is a low class sayin, who always leaves a fight near death. According to Sayin DNA that means that they double in strength. Bardock is a very uncaring, self centered sayin. He completely is unaware of the fact that he has a son (Goku) kills without mercy, and basically would rather be with his comrades, than do anything, to include even visit his son. However at the end of what was a fairly difficult mission the race he and his men exterminate in a last resort, and as a cruel punishment strikes Bardock and gives him the ability to see the future, the reason Frieza wanted the planet. From then on he is plagued with visions of Planet Vegeta blowing up, and the ultimate demise of the Sayin race. At first it makes no sense, until Frieza orders for Bardock and his men to be destroyed. From there the visions start to make sense as Bardock goes to destroy Frieza. With one last vision in the end.

If you were to purchase one of the 45 minute shorts, this would be the one to go for. Like I said best story, awsome action, fluid animation, and overall the best of the bunch. This is one for all DBZ fans out there.

I bought this dvd recently and i have only just finished watching this, but i can safely say that it is great!
the best thing about it is the extras because they give you quite a lot of choice, though most of them bore you when you see them again.
the extra's include: main feature uncut in english, main feature uncut in japanese, an introduction to the world of dragonball and some adverts (cell saga, website, trunks saga and android saga)
one complaint is that in the whole thing there are only two songs that are really good, the one were bardock is fighting the people who killed his crew and the one at the end credits.
overall it is an excellent well rounded movie and i would strongly reccommend buying it.

This movie was one of the best DBZ movies I have ever seen. It tells how Bardock, Goku's father died and eeverything. What I really liked was the background music they had in some of the scenes.

I have wanted this movie for the past two years and when I finally got it I was not dissapointed. Although the dubbed version has awful music, bad dubbing and a slightly different plot line I can ignore that. Besides all you really want when you get a Anime DVD is the orginal uncut Japanese version and that is what is important. The music is perfect and makes you feel what the characters are feeling. The japanese vioce acting is very well done and much better than the american. The special features (stink)but the menus are easy to manuver. If you are a parent and want to buy this for your child you might want think about a little supervision. Especially since there is brief, brief brief nudity. But i don't believe it something to really worry about. Anywho If you are a big DBZ fan this would make the perfect edition to your collection. Believe me you won't be dissapointed.(that is if you only care about the japanese version.)

This is a great DVD and a must have as everyone knows that Goku(kakkarot)is the main and most popular character and he leaves some questions about his past and this answers it. A must have for goku fans you will see some amazing similarities between them and makes you wonder if only Bardock became a super saiyan.