Rating: 
Summary: Goku's origin offers dark twist on the Superman story
Review: "Bardock, Father of Goku" is a 1990 "Dragon Ball Z" TV special that tells Goku's origin story and gives American DBZ fans their first glimpse of their hero as a newborn infant on his home planet, Vegeta, before he is sent off in a space pod to a "frontier planet" (Earth) as a sort-of sleeper agent intended to grow up and destroy all life on it. The long-running "Dragon Ball Z" animated TV series has always had direct parallels with the Superman story, but has never offered such a clever--and perverse--variation as this tale. Unlike the Krypton baby Kal-el, sent off in a tiny rocket to Earth by his concerned parents so that at least one member of the race would survive the impending planetary destruction, Baby Kakarot (Goku's original name) is callously ignored by his father (and all but a pair of scientists in the lab where newborns are kept) and soon sent aloft, not to keep his own race alive, but to completely wipe out another race. Ironically, the baby winds up being nearly the last of his race anyway, as his exit from Vegeta precedes the planet's destruction by a matter of hours.The bulk of the story focuses on the Saiyan warrior Bardock and the torment that arises when he is cursed with foreknowledge of the bleak future of his race and its imminent destruction (including flash forwards to Goku's life on Earth). This is one of the most violent episodes in the entire "Dragon Ball Z" saga (rivaled only by "The History of Trunks"), with death, warfare, and destruction reigning throughout its entire 48-minute running time. Yet the brutal simplicity and stark imagery give it a raw power that would be envied by many of its competitors in the world of Japanese anime. It's a compelling story, well-told and beautifully presented. The sharpness of the DVD image brings out the bright colors and bold, comic book-style linework seen to great advantage in numerous facial close-ups, particularly in moments of great tension and distress. The background art is especially evocative in scenes of planetary landscapes in the aftermath of mass destruction.
Rating: 
Summary: Japanese original = great show, English dub = crap
Review: "Solid State Scouter", "The Journey of Light", and the rest of the original soundtrack rule over all of the worthless music the dub utilizes in its soundtrack. With the exception of the two songs used for the English credits, the dub soundtrack does not fit, and this subtracts from the emotional impact of the series. Watch the destruction of Vegita-sei (Planet Vegita for the dubbies) in both Japanese and English to see what I mean. Quick overview of all other _important_ aspects: Sonny Strait, voice of Kuririn in the series (Krillin for dubbies) does not fit Bardock at all. Sorry to Mr. Strait and those who enjoy his voice, but to me it sounded too unnatural and forced. The minor characters are casted surprisingly well, with the exception of a small handful of them. Dialogue and scripting for the english version is terrible. It seems that FUNimation continues to hold the belief that someone HAS to be talking all the time, whether it be in actual dialogue or thought bubbles, otherwise the viewer wil lose interest. The key speech given by Bardock before the destruction of Vegita-sei is completely changed, as is the emotional impact that it held. This side story is a worthy addition to the wonderful series that is Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. Buy this product on DVD and on DVD ALONE, as the English dub version is complete crap.
Rating:
Summary: Despite my reservations...
Review: ...I really enjoyed this one. It MUST be watched in its original language to be really appreciated and that's the strength of this DVD. It has the original version with English sub titles! The reason I was unsure about the story line is that it was about Bardock, I mean, who cares about Goku's father, right? It's Goku and Vegeta and Piccolo we all care about, right? But despite my reservations this was a rousing good story giving us a rare glimpse into the past and the lives of the Saiyins. In the Japanese version Bardock comes across as the trained soldier that he is, ruthless and single minded until he is granted the chance to see things from another point of view and therefore begin questioning for the first time in his life. In the English version they try to whitewash him a bit and it just doesn't work. The beauty of the story is Bardock's realisation of what he and his people have allowed themselves to become in the service of Frieza, making the destruction of his race all the more poignant. I recommend any anime title that has the original Japanese version on it anyway, but this one really illustrates the differences between the original and Funimations condescending makeover. Watch the two versions one after another and see if you agree with me!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite of the 45 minute short episodes.
Review: For the most part there are 4, short mini series that wouldn't tie into the main storylines. These episodes include Coolers Revenge, Lord Slug, History of Trunks, and Bardock Father of Goku. Of the 4 Bardock is definetly the best of the bunch. Why, best story, awsome action, and an actual view of why Vegeta was destroyed and Frieza's worse fear. The story for this one goes like this. Bardock is a low class sayin, who always leaves a fight near death. According to Sayin DNA that means that they double in strength. Bardock is a very uncaring, self centered sayin. He completely is unaware of the fact that he has a son (Goku) kills without mercy, and basically would rather be with his comrades, than do anything, to include even visit his son. However at the end of what was a fairly difficult mission the race he and his men exterminate in a last resort, and as a cruel punishment strikes Bardock and gives him the ability to see the future, the reason Frieza wanted the planet. From then on he is plagued with visions of Planet Vegeta blowing up, and the ultimate demise of the Sayin race. At first it makes no sense, until Frieza orders for Bardock and his men to be destroyed. From there the visions start to make sense as Bardock goes to destroy Frieza. With one last vision in the end. If you were to purchase one of the 45 minute shorts, this would be the one to go for. Like I said best story, awsome action, fluid animation, and overall the best of the bunch. This is one for all DBZ fans out there.
Rating:
Summary: 5 stars for the movie - considerably less for the DVD
Review: For those of you who don't know, alongside the standard Dragonball Z series, 13 movies, 2 specials, and 1 OVA/OAV were released. Most of these were strictly for entertainment, as there is no way most of them could possibly have taken place. Also, none of them are very long (they are about the same length as 2-3 standard episodes.) Read on for my review of the first of the two specials, the Bardock special. SETTING: This movie occurs twenty years before Dragonball Z, when the Saiyans worked for Frieza. STORY: A crew of Saiyans, led by none other than Goku's father, has wiped out an entire planet's population. However, one of the dying members of the race cursed one of the Saiyans - cursed him with the gift to see the future. Through this gift he comes to realize Frieza intends to betray the Saiyans. He must do everything in his power to prevent the destruction of his world. DID IT HAPPPEN?: All of the footage in this movie took place, with one exception - the scenes with Vegeta in them. His location during his planet's destruction is contradicted here, as opposed to where he was in the series when the planet was destroyed. (He was on Frieza's ship in the series, and on a distant world in this special.) Likewise, does anyone find it odd that Zarbon and Vegeta are the same ages here they are in the Frieza saga? Of course, they may be like Frieza and belong to slow-aging races. WORTHWHILE?: This is THE BEST DRAGONBALL Z FILM/SPECIAL EVER. If you're even just a minor fan of the series, this is a MUST SEE. MISC.: As in your typical Dragonball Z DVD, there are virtually NO EXTRAS. The menus aren't even animated. And, of course, some scenes are mistranslated (Japanese is a VERY DIFFICULT language to translate, so some of this is forgivable.) What's NOT forgivable is that the dub was horribly altered (they even changed the names of Bardock's men), and that the sub calls Bardock Burdock! OVERALL: This is must see DBZ. No DBZ DVD collection is anywhere near being complete without this masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: great!!
Review: I bought this dvd recently and i have only just finished watching this, but i can safely say that it is great!
the best thing about it is the extras because they give you quite a lot of choice, though most of them bore you when you see them again.
the extra's include: main feature uncut in english, main feature uncut in japanese, an introduction to the world of dragonball and some adverts (cell saga, website, trunks saga and android saga)
one complaint is that in the whole thing there are only two songs that are really good, the one were bardock is fighting the people who killed his crew and the one at the end credits.
overall it is an excellent well rounded movie and i would strongly reccommend buying it.
Rating:
Summary: One last solitary battle
Review: I have wanted this movie for the past two years and when I finally got it I was not dissapointed. Although the dubbed version has awful music, bad dubbing and a slightly different plot line I can ignore that. Besides all you really want when you get a Anime DVD is the orginal uncut Japanese version and that is what is important. The music is perfect and makes you feel what the characters are feeling. The japanese vioce acting is very well done and much better than the american. The special features (stink)but the menus are easy to manuver. If you are a parent and want to buy this for your child you might want think about a little supervision. Especially since there is brief, brief brief nudity. But i don't believe it something to really worry about. Anywho If you are a big DBZ fan this would make the perfect edition to your collection. Believe me you won't be dissapointed.(that is if you only care about the japanese version.)
Rating:
Summary: 5 star quality, BUT CUT UP.
Review: I own this on VHS and I plan to purchase the DVD for the original dialog version. By far this movie had the best story of the series. It takes a much darker path than the usually light-hearted theme of the series. It follows Goku's dad Bardock and what eventually becomes the fatefull day that triggers a series of events leading to Dragonball and DBZ. The rock music fit the scenes and the animation good but seemed a bit cut up as if it were editted for some reason.(SPOILER) If you have been following the story, a lot happens on that day in this movie that is not shown.
Goku aka Kakarot and Broly (not shown) are born. Prince Vegeta training, is sent away on a mission. Kakarot is sent to earth. King Vegeta's attempts to kill Broly and Freiza (not shown) fail. He in fact is killed by Freiza (not shown). Cooler allows Kakarot to escape to earth (mistake). Bardock growing stronger, is noticed by Freiza, and becomes a target for assination. His team is decimated. Gifted with visions Bardock sees the end of his Sayian home and chooses to meet it head on. Freiza destroys him and planet vegeta, Broly and his father escape the blast (not shown). Goku, Vegeta, Nappa, Raditz, Turrlis, Broly and his father are the only sayians remaining. There are flashbacks in the show and in a few movies that if pieced together would fit into this movie making it complete. Easily the best movie I've seen so far of DBZ but it would be nice to see it in its entirety.
Rating:
Summary: Not that great, but gave a lot of history
Review: I was very excited to buy this movie. Once I saw it, it wasn't as great as I thought it would be. It did however give a great history of the planet Vegeta and Goku's father. I loved seeing little Vegeta, arrogant little man. It also gave me an insight as to why Vegeta always wants to be the best, because everyone from Frieza's gang was pestering him about being strong and having great pride. Whenever Vegeta is beaten, he probably hears the voices of people like Zarbon mocking him. I would recommend this movie, but don't get your hopes up.
Rating: 
Summary: Average mini-movie pleases non-fan...
Review: I've never really been into "Dragonball Z," but I approached this hour long movie with an open mind and was pleased with what I got. This is like the prequel story to "Dragonball Z," telling the story of Goku's father Bardock and how he is given special psychic abilities to see into the future. The animation is not all that great, which is why it only gets a 3/5 in my book, but I liked the story and am interested in seeing other DBZ stuff. This is a good starting point for the "Dragonball" series.
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