“This is the hour for which we have prepared”
It’s the full moon on Planet Kanassa. A group of Saiyan, under the command of Frieza, turn into Great Apes and destroy a city. The next morning the saiyans are talking about the last night's battle had how it seamed like a dream, but one saiyan claims to remember it all, and his name is Bardock. Their orders were to take control of the planet, as it was believed that if you lived on the planet you would get psychic powers, which Frieza wanted. After Bardock and his team thought that all the people on that planet were dead, one jumps out from under a bunch of rocks. They made quick work of him, but before he dies, he gives Bardock the power to see the future, so he would see his end as the people of Kanassa saw their's.
Highlights
Bardock, the Father of Goku takes place prior to the Dragon Ball series, when Goku was just a baby and was still on Planet Vegeta. Bardock is just a low class Saiyan fighter, but he is really one of the strongest fighters in Frieza’s army. Bardock can defeat most of Frieza’s elite fighters, and his power almost rivals Vegeta, who is the strongest in Frieza's army (except Frieza himself). Frieza starts to be afraid of the power the Saiyans possess, so he decides to destroy them. Bardock figures this out when he finds his team killed by Frieza’s men. At that point Bardock had already had some visions, but until then he didn’t know what they meant. Bardock decides he is going to do every thing he can save every one on Planet Vegeta.
“E Arth, huh, look Kakarot we don't name them, we just send you there, little buddy.”
Overall
Bardock, the Father of Goku may be part of the Dragon Ball Z saga of the series, but I would watch it before starting season 1 of Dragon Ball because it really is the beginning of the series. At the end of the movie Goku gets sent to Earth and is found by Grandpa Gohan. I would also use this to help others know what Dragon Ball is, because it shows what Goku will become and sums up a giant of a series fairly well. I think this is an awesome movie and should a part of anyone’s Dragon Ball collection.
ComicsOnline gives Dragon Ball Z: Bardock, the Father of Goku 5 out of 5 Team Bardock members