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Revenge,
Best Served... :
DragonBall Z: Cooler's Revenge feature
Funimation VHS release (edited)
Anime
review by: Troy
Brownfield
More
Information: www.funimation.com,
www.dragonballz.com,
www.irwintoy.com
 Quick
Primer: Dragonball Z (like it's predecessor, Dragon Ball,
and it's successor, Dragonball GT) is the perennially popular
anime series from Japan. Based on Akira Toriyama's sparkling
manga, the Dragonball universe encompasses 42 graphic novels,
the three TV series, and several features. Dragonball Z largely
focuses on the adventures of Goku, greatest fighter on Earth,
his son Gohan, and their allies, like short, bald Krillin
and alien bad-ass Piccolo.
Cooler's
Revenge comes out strong. It's an action-packed release
and a nice addition to the pantheon of DBZ movies. It lacks
a bit in length and accessibility, but it's a fun stomp through
some Dragon Ball basics.
Events in the film place it more or less squarely before the
Androids saga. It's very helpful to have a fundamental knowledge
of the DBZ world going in, as lots of characters and events
from the basic series figure strongly into the plot. Essentially,
we open with a flashback detailing the fact that Cooler, older
brother of archvillain Frieza, actually had the chance to
slay Goku as an infant and passed. Of course, as viewers of
all action cinema know, mercy shown by the bad guy will someday
jump up and bite him in the ass.
The main focus of the story is the arrival on Earth of Cooler
and his henchmen, and how Goku and the gang (off a camping
trip) are forced to fight back. One plus for new viewers is
that the film only focuses on the major players: Goku, Gohan,
Krillin, and Piccolo. Also included is Gohan's pet dragon
Icarus; he's not a distraction, and is actually quite fun
when he's around.
What Cooler's Revenge lacks in some of the high drama
that DBZ is famous for, it deftly covers with exuberant fight
scenes and some well chose American music. While I'm sure
that the DVD will offer the possibility of the original soundtrack,
the heavy tracks by groups like Disturbed lend some punch
to the hardcore action scenes. Also, this particular review
copy is an edited version; I distinctly prefer the uncut,
and it's a great point in Funimation's favor that they offer
such options.
While not the powerhouse that some DBZ films can be, Cooler's
Revenge is a fun diversion with some great fight scenes.
As usual, there's clever plotting behind the outcome (a DBZ
staple). Fans will dig it.
Troy
Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. He learned
his lesson from Carlito's Way; ALWAYS whack the little guy
when you have the chance. Email him at psikotyk@aol.com.
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