Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
Following the defeat of a great adversary, Gokuu Son and his friends live peaceful lives on Earth. Meanwhile, in space, Beerus the God of Destruction awakens from his long slumber, having dreamed of an entity known as a Super Saiyan God. With the help of his assistant, Whis, Beerus looks for this powerful being, as he wishes to fight a worthy opponent. After discovering that the Saiyan home planet was destroyed, he tracks down the remaining Saiyans on Earth, looking for Gokuu specifically. Having only heard of the Super Saiyan God in legends, Gokuu and his comrades summon Shen Long the Eternal Dragon, who they find out is afraid of Beerus. After learning the secret of the Super Saiyan God, an intense battle between Gokuu and Beerus commences, the immense power of which puts the Earth in terrible danger.
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is largely positive, especially among long-time fans who appreciate the animation, the introduction of new characters like Beerus, and the blend of comedy and action. However, there's a notable split regarding the story's quality and pacing, with some finding it weak and rushed, while others are more forgiving due to the overall entertainment value and nostalgic appeal.
Strengths
- The animation and art style are frequently praised, with many noting it as a significant upgrade and visually stunning, even for a 2D animated film.
- The introduction of new characters, particularly Beerus and Whis, is seen as a major strength, bringing fresh designs and personalities to the franchise.
- The blend of humor with intense action is highlighted as a successful combination, recapturing the spirit of the original Dragon Ball series while maintaining DBZ's action.
- The film's canonicity and its narrative contribution to the Dragon Ball universe are appreciated, especially by long-time fans.
- Voice acting, particularly for returning characters and the new antagonist Beerus, receives high marks for performance and capturing the essence of the roles.
Weaknesses
- The story and plot are criticized by some for being weak, poorly executed, rushed, or nonsensical, with a lack of depth and an over-reliance on humor.
- The pacing is mentioned as an issue, with some parts feeling like a drag or too tedious, while the Super Saiyan God transformation and climax can feel rushed.
- The inclusion of certain comedic elements, like the pudding dispute or Pilaf's subplot, is seen by some as unnecessary, distracting, or detracting from the tension.
- The design of the Super Saiyan God form itself is criticized by a few as uninspired or too similar to other forms.
- Some viewers expressed disappointment with the lack of traditional DBZ struggles and overwhelming odds, feeling the film was too 'kiddy' or lacked tension.