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Dragon Ball: Path to Power is an absolute gem of a movie that masterfully remixes the first arc of the Dragon Ball series, breathing new life into its slightly dated visuals. By utilizing the art style from Dragon Ball GT as a foundation, the movie successfully modernizes the look and feel of the original story while staying true to its beloved characters. For fans like me, it was a delightful and fast-paced adventure that had me hooked from start to finish.
The decision to adapt the story for a movie allowed for certain changes that made sense within it. While some may argue that it deviates from the original source material, I found the changes refreshing and fitting for the movie. The exclusion of the Pilaf Gang, for instance, may have disappointed like 3 fans, but let's be honest here - after enduring their antics in Dragon Ball Super, I doubt many were longing for their return. Personally, I was more than happy to bid them farewell and focus on the enjoyable aspects of the film.
Path to Power chronicles Goku's thrilling encounters with a colorful cast of characters, including the adventurous and playful Bulma, the incel Yamcha, and the eccentric and perverted Master Roshi. Together, they venture on a perilous journey, traversing treacherous landscapes and confronting formidable foes, all in pursuit of the legendary Dragon Balls. The movie strikes a perfect balance between lighthearted humor and exhilarating action, capturing the essence of the original series and keeping me thoroughly engaged throughout.
As a self-proclaimed Dragon Ball aficionado who has immersed myself in the franchise countless times, I can confidently say that Path to Power resonated with me on a profound level. It brilliantly captures the spirit and charm of the source material while injecting a fresh energy into the storytelling. Goku's antics had me laughing out loud from beginning to finish. It's a testament to the appeal of the Dragon Ball universe and its ability to captivate audiences across generations.
If I were to nitpick (which I hate to do but the guide on writing reviews said I should), one minor drawback of Path to Power would be its relatively short runtime of approximately 80 minutes. Given my insatiable appetite for all things Dragon Ball, I couldn't help but want more (fine i guess ill finish my 8 millionth rewatch). Nevertheless, the movie makes efficient use of its limited time, effectively covering/remixing a significant portion of the early Dragon Ball storyline.
now, would i recommend this to first time viewers? no. simply because if you watch this first youll be out of sync with the rest for the show/manga as things do play out differently in them. but otherwise give it a shot!