Dragon Ball Z Movie one: Dead Zone

     Garlic Jr. has taken Goku's son in the name of immortality. Watch as Goku, Krillin, and Piccolo battle the Spice boys in an adrenaline pumping, fast paced, karate kickin' fight to save Earth from Garlic JR's evil plans...

     The first of five movies to reach the United States in complete dub form. "Dead Zone" comes from a long strand of Dragon Ball Z manga and it's own series. The original fans of Dragon Ball, Z, and GT probably enjoyed "Dead Zone". It's no prize-winning anime, but DBZ captivates people even to this day, and this is a cartoon that ended years ago in Japan! It doesn't have flossy cells, or CGI. In fact DBZ can be considered an old-style anime. However, the fighting scenes are awesome, and who can forget the determination on San Goku's face when he's ready to power up. Though the film is old, it's still worth watching for a good time. Granted, I wouldn't buy it for the normal price of anime (DVD $29.99 VHS $19.99) but if you can find it for a lower price, then I would advise to pick up a copy.

     To normal anime viewers, I realize that DBZ is practically dead. Despite that fact, I believe DBZ is the only anime that has enough staying power to introduce anime into the mainstream of American television. "Dead Zone" is the beginning of the DBZ movies that occur throughout the series. The movies don't really fit into a specific time slot so they can't relate to the series. Nevertheless, the characters remain the same and continue along the same plot as the series. While many American viewers disliked "Dead Zone" because of it's length, or quality, many people like it for those same reasons. DBZ is simple and easy to understand. It doesn't have a complex story line, or interesting character development. It has the essentials of every anime of this genre...fighting, and well...more fighting!

      One thing that stands out in this movie is the music. I love the fact that they kept the original music. The background music fits perfectly within every scene. I looked at the original "Dead Zone" and found only slight alterations due to the dub from Japanese to English, and the producers did a fine job. Out of the three movies that came to the U.S. this is one of the best. I know a lot of people disagree because they like to see Goku in Super Saiya-Jin form, and they like to see Vegeta etc. However, if you have ever seen Dragon Ball, which I hear is far better than Dragon Ball Z. I imagine the quality of fighting, mixed in with a dash of humor are probably alike.

    "Dead Zone" is definitely a DBZ classic. I can't say it's for everyone. Some people will like the old quality and cool fighting scenes and others won't. If you have the chance at least give it a try!