Perhaps one of the weaker installments in the Dragonball franchise, Bardok the Father of Goku does have some interesting aspects to it. As can be assumed, it takes place before the Dragonball series and gives a little more back story to some of the characters that appear later in Dragonball Z. Being able to see Prince Vegeta as a battle-hungry little tike and Nappa with hair is a real treat for hardcore fans such as myself. However, the extent that these two are featured is very limited, and ultimately is an easter egg more than anything.

The main reason that Bardock: The Father of Goku is weaker than other DBZ films is frankly its lack of action. The film feels like it’s trying to aim for a more serious plot, and focuses more on story than supersonic punches, rock crushing face-plants, or bone-breaking holds. Though they are there, it’s not nearly enough to keep most average viewers interested. Without a connection to nostalgia or just plain curiosity, there’s no real reason to watch the film. This doesn’t mean Bardock: The Father of Goku is a complete waste, more like it deviates too much from the Dragonball formula.

Funimation’s new remastered edition has all the same features as its History of Trunks counterpart – English dub with original Japanese music, restored eye-catches. In this case, the Japanese music doesn’t clash nearly as much with the English dub, and in some cases fits scenes quite well, however the eye-catches are still annoying due to their placement. The main feature of this re-release are the visuals, which have been cleaned-up to be crystal clear.

But in the end, it’s not the visual quality of Bardock the Father of Goku that comes up short, but the contents in those visuals.

Overall: C+