a.k.a.Dragonball Z: Tobikkiri no Saikyou tai Saikyou
Genre: Action
Company: Toei Douga
Format: 1 movie
Dates: 7/20/1991
With the galactic threat of Frieza finally vanquished, Son Goku and his band of merry senshi look forward to living a normal, peaceful existence on earth. Like this should come as some big surprise, but they find their tranquil camping trip interrupted by the forces of Koola, Frieza’s brother. Wishing to test the low-class Saiya-jin who defeated his brother, Koola spares the planet from instant destruction and sets out to destroy each remaining Saiya-jin himself. Can Goku summon the strength to defeat yet another more powerful menace?
summary by Kain
Reviewed: 05/28/2004 by
Grade: 52% 
Highs: Short; actually some interesting action
Lows: Cookie cutter Dragonball Z script; not short enough
I admit that I was tempted. I was thisclose to just copying my review from Dragonball Z Movie VIII, pasting it here and changing the names where necessary. Instead, the ethicist in me didn’t find that plan kosher and said the right thing to do is think of this movie as an entirely unique entity of its own. Ethicists sure have a quirky sense of humor.
What can I say that hasn’t been said before? To say that Dragonball Z has never been known for innovative storylines is the understatement of the century. With more of a budget and a bit of a deviation from the timeline used in the television series, the tools were available to perhaps create something different. What is so intriguing about that two-dimensional script that the creators feel it necessary to recycle it over and over again?
In its defense, this movie wasn’t hideously dull. I was actually not put to sleep by the action sequences, and that’s saying a lot for this franchise. There is much less of that “I’m going to stand here and taunt you with my ‘witty’ remarks and bitter-beer-face stare instead of taking the opportunity to win the fight”. Oh, and I can’t forget how Son Goku revived a dead bird with his powers and watched it take flight like a miniature phoenix emerging from the ashes. Oh sure, he could have used that energy to heal his own son, but it’s obvious to anyone that it’s the sight of a deceased animal, and not your own flesh and blood, that would be the catalyst to releasing your hidden strength.
Needless to say, my sarcasm should be a dead giveaway: do not watch this anime… unless, of course, you are a hard-core DBZomb… err, fanatic.
Anime Academy 