(The original name of this movie is "Return, my Gohan.")
This is the first movie of the Dragon Ball Z series. It takes place at the very beginning of the series, before episode one actually. However, like most DBZ movies, it does not fit into the timeline of the DBZ episodes because of many contradictions.
The movie opens up with Piccolo ranting to himself that he is going to get Goku, his enemy. He is then attacked by some mysterious creatures and it seems that he is defeated. Kami, Piccolo's other half,
doubles over in pain and wonders who attacked Piccolo.
Cut to Gohan. Gohan is very young in this movie, he's only 5 I believe. His father, Goku, is off somewhere else. His grandfather, the Ox King, comes over to visit. However, the day becomes less cheerful as the Ox King is knocked unconcious and Chi Chi, Gohan's mom, is also attacked. Gohan is kidnapped by a short, evil looking fellow named Garlic Jr., who wants the Dragon Ball on Gohan's hat so he can summon the Eternal Dragon Shenron to grant him immortality.
Once Goku is informed of this, he rushes off to save Gohan, and is later assisted by Kami, who knew Garlic Jr.'s father. However, they are both too late, as Garlic Jr. has already summoned Shenron and been granted immortality. Now Goku and Kami must stop an immortal enemy.
I do not care for this movie as much as the other DBZ movies. The animation is good, as it always is, but the story is a plot is a little too simple. However, it's a good introduction into the world of DBZ if you are unfamiliar with it.
It's an ok movie for older kids, but i wouldn't recommend it to anyone really young because of the martial arts style violence and a tiny bit of nudity. But it's not that bad.