DragonballZ Movie#1 - The Dead Zone (Return My Gohan!!)
Japanese Release Date: 7/15/1989
Vegettos Crypt Rating: 4 out of 7
Comments: A little boring, good humor and visuals. Shows a scene of it on the first DBZ opening theme "Rock The Dragon" - (remember the demons slashing at Goku?)

Synopsis: The story begins with Piccolo training in the wilderness, muttering about defeating Goku in the next Budoukai. He is ambushed by three mysterious warriors, members of the Makyo race. The three of them gang up on Piccolo, and then, smash the crap out of him. They smash him into a moutain, and you see one lone shadowy figure, talking about how Piccolo's death means that Kami is gone as weell, and soon the world will be his! The next scene switches to Gohan, studying some books. His studying is interrupted by a visit from Gyuu Maou (Ox King), laden with presents (All Books, lol). While delivering the packaged textbooks, Gyuu Maou falls victim to one of the three demons (he survives). The short menacing demon demands the dragonball on Gohan's hat, and he and his too comrades proceed to beat up Chi Chi and kidnap Gohan. Goku, sensing that something is wrong, rushes back to his injured wife and father-in-law, and then begins his mission to find whoever did this. Meanwhile our villain, Garlic Jr. succeeds where all other DB/DBZ villains failed - he is granted immortality. Reveling in his new found enternal life, Garlic Jr. decides not to kill Gohan, but instead to train him. The next scene has to be one of the funniest scenes in DBZ involving a tall skinny demon, Gohan and some alcoholic apples. Gohan complains to the demon that he is hungry and before the demon can stop him, Gohan grabs an apple off the tree and has a healthy bite. Gohan gets drunk and starts running around, dreaming of hundreds of multi-coloured fuzzballs and dancing purple dinosaurs. After the majority of the joke is over, Goku arrives to challenge Garlic Jr. and his henchmen. He begins to fight the three demons; Ginger, Nikki and Sansho. During the fight, Kami comes in to face Garlic Jr. himself, showing that neither he nor Piccolo had actually died. It is revealed 300 years ago, Kami had a rival to the throne; a demon named Garlic. Kami made it and Garlic didn't. So, being the demon that he was, Garlic called up the demon hordes and was then consequently locked up for eternity. Now seeking revenge, Garlic Jr. wants the throne that his father coveted. Garlic Jr. and Kami fight, while Goku fights the demons inside the castle. He is assisted by Kuririn(Krylin) and Piccolo. Gohan pisses on Kuririns head after waking up and Kuririn gets Gohan to safety (or tries to), while Piccolo and Goku make short work of the henchmen. Kami loses his fight against the now immortal Garlic Jr., and the Namek/Saija-jin pick up the battle. Garlic then transforms from 2 foot Garlic Jr. to 12 foot Garlic Jr. Goku and Piccolo hit Garlic Jr. into the ground and thinking they have won, Piccolo picks a fight with Goku. Just before our heroes start fighting each other. Garlic Jr. reappears and he opens up the Dead Zone, trying to destroy the Earth. Just before Goku gets sucked in, Gohan unleashes his power and blasts Garlic Jr. into the Dead Zone.

What Vegetto Thought: While not the best of the movies, The Dead Zone does have some comedic value in it. I personally thought the Alcoholic apples scene and the scene where Gohan pisses on Kuririns head was a great laugh and the scenes of Garlic Jr.'s castle were outstanding.