A special review for a limited-release theatrical event.

What’s It About? A wandering god seeks a legendary opponent – and if Goku can’t rise to the challenge, it could mean the destruction of Earth!

STRAIGHT UP: A decent addition to the DBZ legend. 7/10

What I Liked

Reuniting with favorite characters – The majority of the plot revolves around Bulma’s 38th birthday party, an event to which she’s invited everyone she knows (i.e. nearly the entire cast of the Dragon Ball saga). I felt a great sense of nostalgia watching all of these characters – many of them like old friends to me – come together one more time, so many years later.

Lord Beerus – Even in a franchise known for its memorable villains, Beerus manages to distinguish himself with his surprisingly warm personality, unique look, and a power level that’s unmatched in DBZ canon.

Comedic tone – Much of the movie has a lighthearted tone that calls back – both directly and indirectly – to young Goku’s adventures in the beloved first act of Dragon Ball. It’s a part of the series’ tradition that’s often forgotten in the Z chapters, but it’s good the writers remembered it here.

Vegeta’s song and dance number – I did not mistype this. This is something that actually happens, and it’s the funniest and best thing in the entire movie.

Awesome fight scenes – Among action anime, only DBZ consistently delivers extended fight scenes (some in excess of 20 minutes) that remain exciting and well-choreographed throughout. The fated clash between Goku and Beerus at the film’s climax is one such scene, and it’s a joy to watch.

What I Disliked

A bit too much fanservice – The writers know how good they have it with all of the nostalgic character interaction at Bulma’s party, but they indulge in it a bit too much. The cute comedy scenes start to drag after a while, and things become a little boring for a stretch.

No tension – Goku vs. Beerus is a great spectacle, but I wish there had been more bad blood between them. The two fighters are so friendly with each other during the rest of the movie that there’s no sense of danger when they finally face off. It feels like an exhibition and not a contest for the fate of Earth.

Disappointing animation quality – For the most part, Battle of Gods looks like an episode of the ’90s TV anime – complete with instances of low-grade, budget-saving animation that results in some really ugly scenes. This does not compare well to the recent Gundam Unicorn and Evangelion Shin Gekijouban films, in which every frame is like a work of art. Toei is not a small studio, and DBZ is a major property – surely it was possible to give the animation department a bit more funding for this project.

Not enough Saiyan God – Seeing Goku’s transformation into the all-new Saiyan God form was a major promotional point for this movie. Indeed, it’s a very cool power-up, but Goku uses it for only a few short minutes. What should have been a signature moment came across more like an afterthought.

CLOSING THOUGHT: This is a movie that feels like it was made to be a treat for longtime Dragon Ball fans – the ones who experienced the story from the beginning, but maybe haven’t gone back to it for a while. To them, I recommend this film. It’s not equal to the best that Dragon Ball has to offer as a franchise, but it’s fun and I liked it. As I write this, Battle of Gods is still showing at select theaters for two more days – 8/7/14 and 8/9/14 – so to anyone who’s still interested in seeing this – hurry! There’s still time!