Bardock: The Father of Goku

This movie originally aired as a television special, of which only two were created for DBZ. The story focuses around the story of Goku's father, Bardock, and the destruction of Planet Vegeta. Though the English version doesn't stray that far off from how the other movies and series were dubbed, the Japanese version has a much deeper plot, along with incredible musical scores such as Hikari No Tabi and Solid State Scouter. The plot seems to have more depth and story than the series, examining the drama of Bardock's struggle of seeing his people's future and the future of Goku, who he thinks will be killed later in life by Frieza. Though his assumptions are shown wrong in his last vision before dying. The unfeeling Bardock had for his son wasn't different than that of other Saiyans, though this changed as he saw more and more of the future and learned the truth about Frieza's plan to kill all Saiyans. When the movie starts, Bardock is nothing more than a Saiyan who happens to be the father of Goku, but you learn to feel for the character as the story progresses, you may even need to hold back a tear. The DVD features two versions of the movie, Japanese with or without subtitles, and English that can also be set to have subtitles.

The Japanese version of the DVD holds up as a more accurate version as far as subtitles are concerned. This is most apparent from the beginning conversation between Bardock and his men after the first victory on Planet Kanassa. One inaccuracy is the spelling of Bardock (Burdock), which isn't too difficult to swallow and doesn't seem to lessen the quality of the movie, though I'm sure that Steve Simmons knows more about Japanese than I, so this may be the correct spelling. Steve's subbing for the ending score, Hikari No Tabi, is absolutely amazing however, nothing less than perfect. The subtitles are white with black outlines, making the words very clear and easy to read.

As like every other DBZ Japanese to English makeover, this one runs short in accuracy, deleting scenes as well as adding voices where none should exist. The English version gives names to Bardock's crew. The girl is called Fasha, the big guy who speaks to Bardock before he dies is Tora, chubby guy with a mustache is Hugesh, and the other Orkos. Why change the name from the Japanese versions I will never understand since they are named Seripa, Toma, Panbukin, and Tottepo. As like the Japanese version, the biggest differences can be seen in the beginning conversation between Bardock and his men. All of the characters personalities are dropped to a childish level, and things are brought up about the characters that didn't exist in the Japanese version. For example, Tora states that Bardock remembers everything, yet they try to prove how he can't even remember the day of his son's birth. Such childish terms as "crusty little devil," and "little tyke" are used, all of which are made to appeal to a much younger audience. Vegeta's character is also ruined, causing him to speak more like a child, acting more insecure, and even the last scene showing Vegeta being told of the destruction of his planet seems to be made in such a way that the viewer feels sympathy for him. Bardock's flashbacks are also ruined with him speaking during them, or the alien that gave him the power speaking to him. If this wasn't bad enough, in the end they had Goku's voice talking to Bardock. In addition, Bardock talks of how he believes Goku is crying as a baby because he sees the same visions as him. Basically, if you enjoy animes made for younger audiences, watch the English version, though if your a new fan to Dragon Ball, or a fan that hasn't seen the Bardock version yet, stray away from the English version.

There are two different extras. One is a set of commercials including the Trunks saga, Android and Cell. A surprising extra is a quick rundown of the Dragon Ball Z series from beginning up to Goku's fight with Frieza on the planet Namek. All of which is included to bring new viewers up to speed to understand the Bardock movie. No extras are included in the DVD, unlike other anime and movie DVDs, which is very disappointing. FUNimation could include perhaps CCG cards, or even a feedback slip to learn fans reactions to the DVDs.

Despite the few glitches that seem to have appeared in every DVD thus far, the Bardock DVD is an improvement from the previous, and an incredible story compared to the other sagas and movies of Dragon Ball. I highly recommend picking this one up. Later minna!

© Eric