I just watched it and boy was it amazing. I rarely give props to Super, but credit must be paid for this film.
For starters, let me just say that the animation is
out of this world. Every scene was breathtaking, not once was I disappointed from transitional scenes to the next. For a film that cost 9 million to make, every penny was well worth spent. Remember how most critics of DB say that the series is nothing but explosions and screaming? Well this film is literally just that lol, but it so well drawn and flashy that goddamn you appreciate the film for what it is. It knows what it is and sticks to its guns.
One of my personal favorites was every single scene depicting Frieza. The animators just
captured the evilness in his red eyes, devoid of any love but himself. And is introduction as a child was splendid. The animation of him killing 4 saiyan snipers in the towers was freaking badass. And all of his dialogue was top-notch. How he destroyed Planet Vegeta was great, but I still feel like the original Bardock OVA was better. Bardock still tried to stop Frieza, but it was so fast (no fighting against soldiers, no epic speech) and abrupt that it almost felt like that the screenwriters did not care too much about Bardock after all. Nonetheless it was still entertaining.
Frieza's wish to collect the dragon balls was hilarious despite already knowing about it. It perfectly mirrored the selfish irony of Bulma wanting the dragon balls to become younger. And his logic to not become immortal perfectly makes sense. You can tell how much Frieza has changed since Planet Namek, though he is still a piece of shit in the inside. Nonetheless Christopher Ayres did Frieza justice as usual. He is far superior to Linda Young, and I liked her voice in the original series. But he never disappoints and always gives Frieza the glory he deserves. And him being the meta-ultimate antagonist was a perfect progression since the ToP. I liked this notion a lot.
Raditz is a piece of shit. Enough said. Including Kid Vegeta if you want me to be honest. Him not caring about Tarble, his father, unknown mother, and all of his people perishing just because he couldn't become king was silly on all levels. Honestly Nappa was far more charming than these two runts since he cared.
I feel like Broly's reworked history was great. His life spent training on a deserted planet and sparring with his father was nice compared to his original incarnation (which I also liked). And his personality felt organic and reminded me of Gohan. A pure soul forced into a world of cruel fighting. And Paragus's reasoning to remove his tail makes total sense. But I must say his power level is ridiculous. Being told by Goku he is perhaps stronger than Beerus is insane, or him fighting against Super Saiyan God's in just a Ikari form that has the power of a great ape. But I'll let it pass since I am a Brolytard fan at heart lol. Don't judge my bias ass.
I liked some of the new characters like Berryblue, Beets, Cheelai, and Lemo. Even Abo appears, but it just a cameo with no speaking role. And after this film, I am part of the group that supports Broly X's Cheelai. They have great chemistry together.
Despite considering myself a part of the original American DBZ generation that was made in the 90's (thus creating my foundation on how Goku was shown to appear on Earth), but I am actually fine with Minus being canon now. Shocking right? I know I was one of the biggest critics who despised the notion, but for the most part I was okay with it. However I really need to see Goku interacting with Grandpa Gohan and hitting his head to fully close off the legacy of Minus. There a difference when a baby hits his head compared to a 3-7 year old. Especially when Goku in canon never mentions his parents despite seeing them during his early life so much and wishing to not leave them.
I am mixed with both King Vegeta and Paragus's characterization. With Vegeta, it was obvious he loved his people and his son. But his jealously over Broly being stronger than Vegeta was pitiful on his part. Yeah I understand his reasoning since the boy could grow up to one day usurp his throne, but trying to banish him to Planet Vampa was too much since that world is hostile. I seriously wished I saw him met his demise in the film, though him interacting with his son (just once), Bardock, wife, or mention tarble would have been swell. As for Paragus, it was obvious he loved his son, but appeared to be both afraid and harsh on him at times. Like there nothing better than plain old tough love. I did not like this uncompromising aspect of him. His hatred for Vegeta and his family was understandable, but him putting too much trust into Frieza was ultimately his undoing, something I liked since Paragus heartlessly killed Beets years earlier. It was ironic on his part. Frieza killing him was poetic justice in the name to see Broly mad.
And Frieza killing Paragus was a nice touch since I believed either Broly or Vegeta would do it. A twist I wasn't expecting.
Vegeta being
the fourth to carry his name was very nice background info. It makes me wonder who was the first and second? Something is telling me that Vegeta First might have been one of those "evil saiyans" that ended up killing Yamoshi along with Kanba. That my personal headcanon, but it would be awesome to see this.
I know this will go against
Ashanark, but I must say that Gine is far more likable than Hanasia in DBM. She's cuter, friendlier, and almost pure of heart based on her limited appearances. Her scene with departing Kid Kakarot was heartbreaking. I really wish she could see her son as a adult in some form of continuity.
No lie Beerus babysitting Bra like what Piccolo did for Pan was the most adorable and funniest thing I have ever seen. But I am
so glad Beerus didn't participate in the events. His presence alone would have taken away the tension.
As expected Goten and Trunks only served as cameo's with Gohan not appearing at all. Usually I would be annoyed by this, but for this occasion I will allow it to slide.
But Piccolo playing a rather important side role was unexpected and loved how he helped Goku and Vegeta with their fusion dance assistance. It was all good.
The fighting wasn't anything short than
orgasmic. Vegeta fighting against Broly was badass by all rights. Sadly Vegeta simply allows Goku to fight Broly when the saiyan hero expressed his desire to challenge Broly. Again Vegeta was denied the ultimate spotlight in the name of Goku. Also his transformation to a Super Saiyan was
awesome. First his ssj aura in base form fused with his outline like the boss he was before his hair briefly turns
green until he finally ascends.
Goddamn!
I honestly found it better than when he became a SSJ God, but that transformation was also hot. Toriyama's writing and the animators did him justice. And thankfully, Vegeta was not scared of Broly at all like in the original series. He held his ground throughout the film.
But Goku's fight against Broly was beautiful too. And just like the original first film, Broly brutally tortured Goku once he gained greater strength in his Ikari form. SSJ God Goku was literally made into his bitch. But I do wonder what was that unique paralyzing move SSJ God Goku used against Broly while trying to tell him he was not bad at all? It was very interesting visually. Or the Aura Paralyze move Broly used on Goku?
But when Goku became Super Saiyan Blue, his hair also turned green as
Ultra Instinct briefly manifested itself. So far this is my most favorite transformation Goku did to become Blue. It was mouthwatering.
And Broly's two transformations into his Ikari and Super Saiyan state was top-notch. I expect kids under the age of 12 would shit their pants from the sheer glory of it all. That how great it was. And Broly overpowering both Goku and Vegeta simultaneously was amazing to the eyes. Not even a combined Galic Gun Kamehameha could put a dent into him.
And one of my favorite parts was the severe beat down Frieza receives when Goku and Vegeta flee from Broly. In many ways it was just as bad when he went against Toppo, but upon going Golden he manages to hold his own.
The fight was mostly omitted, but it was epic when shown. But just like Goku and Vegeta, he was beaten in the end and awaited death. Luckily both Whis and Gogeta ended up saving him.
Whis playing around with Broly was both funny and awesome. Makes you wonder what is exactly the limit of these damn angels are?
It was good seeing both fat and skinny Veku on screen. He was never called "Veku" in the film, but still good fanservice.
Last and not least, but Gogeta was
awesome. We even got confirmation that just like the potara, the fusion dance multiplies the fusee's powers together to make their merger stronger.
Nice!
All of his scenes from base, super saiyan, and super saiyan blue was memorable. However personality-wise he felt like a perfect blend of his GT and Fusion Reborn self. He will play around, but get serious if it calls for it. By all respects he felt just like Vegito from the Buu and Zamasu sagas. Plus two original techniques, the
Stardust Fall and
God Punisher were all badass.
Most impressive of all was that he used
Soul Punisher. It was lit by all regards.
However I must say that just like how I personally view Vegito, Gogeta felt like another form of Goku. Little to no Vegeta was present. I say this because Vegeta was pissed at Goku for sparing Frieza and bringing him back, yet Gogeta spares Frieza despite trying to steal the dragon balls and bringing Broly to kill them all. Only Goku would do that, which completely negated Vegeta within him. And when he missed killing Broly, Gogeta immediately understood what happened and was rather pleased with it. Again, the goku from within shone right through him. Vegeta only manifested with action scenes against Broly.
And akin to fusion reborn, Gogeta was close to killing the super villain in the film. He was that focused. It good to see that he was competent enough to achieve this, yet luck was on Broly's side in the end. But Broly surviving was something I liked since it sets up Super for something intriguing down the line. And Goku befriending Broly was wonderful. Who would have thought that these two would become friends in any continuity?
However this film was not perfect. For criticism, the music was lackluster for me. It did not stand out to me with the only exception being when Broly saw his father dead by Frieza's hands. That haunting Latin inspired track was fire. The rest was just plain, with the two tracks chanting "Goku" or "Gogeta" felt out of place and for some reason reminded me of Mortal Kombat. But the action itself made my disappointment with the music lowered to the bare minimal.
Another issue was the pacing. I completely agree with
Conqueror Geng that unlike Battle of Gods or Resurrection F, this film definitely needs to be adapted to the anime. For a film originally supposed to be 3 hours stuffed into a 1 hour and 40 minute time frame, much needed exploitation is necessary for some events. And the scenes that come to mind is Bardock's last stand against Frieza (it was ridiculously sped up), King Vegeta's last moments on Planet Vegeta, Kid Goku's arrival on Earth, the saiyan's history, The Cold Force subjugating Planet Vegeta, Broly's time on Vampa, and so much more.
For the most part the English dub was solid, but weaknesses were present. Sometimes the lines felt too basic, though Vegeta calling Goku a "dumbass" was gold. For this I would give the dub a
7/10.
When Gogeta was preparing to kill Broly, I really wished he used a Big Bang Kamehameha instead of a basic Kamehameha. It would have been a perfect counterpart for Vegito's Final Kamehameha and a reference for his GT counterpart. Oh well.
Broly becoming a Legendary Super Saiyan was so fast and quick that you don't fully appreciate it since he is fighting against Gogeta Blue. However his transformation into a basic Super Saiyan was fire, so i'll give this notion a little pass.
But I do love this screenshot with a passion:
I wish King Cold had more appearances in this film. His stature was memorable and reminds me how much potential he had if Toriyama utilized him correctly in canon. I am so glad that DBM exists, otherwise he would have forever been a lost opportunity in all of fandom.
Planet Vegeta no longer being red along with the saiyans living in mud houses was a change I didn't particularly like. The Bardock original felt superior in this regard.
Saiyan society feels less barbaric and ruthless compared to their original incarnation. Plus their sleek bodies with little muscle mass is infuriating to me. It felt more like I was viewing the history of U6 than U7.
Bardock's new teammates, Leek and Taro, are lackluster compared to his original gang. They feel bland.
Gogeta's pads being yellow, not orange like in fusion reborn or GT. A nitpick, yes, but still obvious enough to catch my attention.
Kid Vegeta no longer having hair bangs while in the original anime and Super he does.
Just like with Vegito in Super, Gogeta also didn't use Super Saiyan God. Would be nice to see him in it.
Ever since Beerus appeared, many sources claimed (like Resurrection F) that Beerus was the one who forced Frieza to destroy Planet Vegeta. But this film gives no notion to that claim since Frieza appeared to be acting on his own accord. Another retcon perhaps?
No Super Saiyan Blue Evolution, Perfected, or Kaioken. Nuff said. However I am glad no spirit bomb or ultra instinct took place. It would have been Jiren all over again.
More than ever Cooler is likely not canon. Booo!!!!!
No mention of Kale when Goku was fighting Broly. Booo!!!!
Last and not least, but Broly never said a single, epic
KAKAROT!!!! in the entire film. His maximum overdrive on that aspect for his old incarnation was completely absent. A shame really.
Not necessarily a film problem, but at the theater I went to, the sound was not high enough (with the bass rarely coming in besides two moments) with many of the audience members laughing so loud that I missed out on some dialogue. The most prominent example being when Goku took Vegeta with him to escape to Piccolo, leaving whatever Frieza said about facing Broly lost to my ears. I was internally fuming at my fellow DB fans, since they were always laughing even during the most serious moments. But I will let it slide for now. And the clapping for every badass scene. Ugh!
Ultimately this movie gets a solid
9/10 for me. The action was superb, humor on point, and had a rather happy ending. But it needs to adapted into the anime to flesh out some points that were rushed. I have nitpicked some of my points, but ultimately it would strengthen this series if some of there were taken into consideration. I just hope in the future it will be addressed.
Seeing Broly one day in Super meeting both Beerus and Jiren would be awesome once the Moro arc concludes. The sky is the limit with Broly now being in the picture. Or Frieza trying to recruit Broly into his permanent services once he masters his rage and power. I actually have positive feelings for this series and cannot wait to see the next installment. Super is starting to feel "Super" for me.
