Synopsis: A legacy lies in wait, a deadly power is awakening—the legendary Super Saiyan Broly is here!
Goku and his friends will face their deadliest challenge yet when they experience the power and might of Broly. Will they have enough strength to protect their home or will it take everything and everyone they have to stand against this unshakeable force? Experience the new power level in the latest movie from the Dragon Ball Super story!
Dragon Ball Super: Broly takes place shortly after the series concludes. Don’t worry about it being spoiled for you though, previous events from Super are hardly mentioned at all. In fact, as past events go, Super isn’t really relevant. Instead, it’s events that unfold when Goku, Vegeta & Broly are still children that have the most impact. The actions of their three fathers setting in motion everything that eventually lead us to this point; where the three finally meet. The film starts here, in fact, with those very events. The contrast between the three fathers goes on to be reflected in their sons; it sets us up well for what is to come.
Dragon Ball fans will be familiar with Broly as a character, he’s previously appeared in three Dragon Ball Z films but those were not cannon stories. Akira Toriyama did not write them so, although he did do the initial character design for Broly, he wasn’t really part of the Universe. Viewers of those past films, particularly the first one, will be well aware that they had some issues. Particularly where character development and motivation were concerned for the titular “villain” – I mean how annoying can a baby find the crying of another baby? Dragon Ball Super: Broly expertly smashes this particular challenge. Broly is given a much more believable motivation and characterisation this time around. This added depth let’s you connect with him as an audience member. Instead of unbelievably powerful madman with an irrational hatred for a crying baby he couldn’t possibly remember the name of, we get an unbelievably powerful character who acts in a believable manner.
It’s no secret that Dragon Ball Super suffered from some below par animation during its run. A situation that improved a great deal over time but it definitely didn’t live up to the animation from Dragon Ball Z and certainly not to the two films – Battle of Gods & Resurrection F – that immediately preceded it. This latest film is on a whole new level in terms of animation. The new style used here is on a par with the best the series has ever had over the years, it’s outstanding to look at. It isn’t flawless, there are a couple of scenes that let it down slightly, but they are so few and far between they barely warrant being mentioned. Dragon Ball is famous for its action sequences. How it conveys the amazing speed and power of the fights to the viewer. How it showcases the spectacular techniques, energy blasts and, of course, the transformations. Toei Animation has really outdone itself with the visuals in this film.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly is a spectacular film that does all of the characters justice, not just Broly. It’s often been the case that characters other than Goku – Vegeta in particular – would get kinda shafted with a quick defeat, in order to allow the final showdown to be between Goku and the villain. That doesn’t happen this time around though. Both Vegeta & Goku get a fair crack and I have to say – as someone who has become more and more of a Vegeta fan over the years – the film is better for it. So much better that I highly recommend you go and see it.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly is showing at cinemas across the UK & Ireland on the 23rd of January (English Subtitled & English Dubbed Screenings are both available). Due to popular demand several cinemas are running additional screenings. Please go to https://brolysback.co.uk/ for screening and booking details.
