Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge (ドラゴンボールZ とびっきりの最強対最強, Doragon Bōru Zetto: Tobikkiri no Saikyō tai Saikyō; lit. "Dragon Ball Z: The Incredible Mightiest vs. Mightiest"), also referred to as Dragon Ball Z: The Strongest Rivals[1], is the fifth Dragon Ball Z movie.
It originally releasing in Japan on July 20, 1991. It was translated in America by FUNimation Entertainment in 2002, and released on VHS and DVD on January 22. The movie was re-released with its sequel, Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler, in November 2008.
Summary
Backstory
In this movie, Frieza's older brother Cooler is introduced. The film begins with a flashback to when Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta, and Cooler's ship picks up Goku's space pod escaping the system. Cooler calls off the order to have it destroyed and lets it go, wanting Frieza to "take care of his own mess".
Introduction
Chi-Chi and Icarus
More than twenty-five years later, Goku is practicing the Kamehameha at Kame House, with Master Roshi noting that Goku had gotten stronger since defeating Frieza on Namek. Back on Mount Paozu, Goku tries to get Gohan to finish his homework, causing Chi-Chi to grow concerned due to Goku not generally caring if Gohan completing his homework. However, soon, she discovers that Goku wanted him to finish his homework so he and Gohan (alongside Krillin, Oolong, and Icarus) could go on a camping trip. She then demands to know which of the two he felt was more important. Goku humorously responds that camping was more important, to Chi-Chi's dismay.
Salza bowing to Cooler
Meanwhile, Cooler discovers that his brother was killed by Goku. Disgusted that Frieza, who he already had a strained relationship with, would tarnish his family's honor by losing to a Saiyan, he orders Salza to plot a course for Earth, with the intention to kill Goku and destroy Earth.
Cooler's arrival
Upon arrival, Cooler's forces ambush Goku and his friends on their camping trip, and after battling Salza, Neiz, and Dore, Goku is wounded by an energy blast launched by Cooler that was meant to kill Gohan (but not before countering with his own ki blast at Cooler); Cooler effortlessly deflects the blast, contemplating that Goku may have in fact beaten Frieza, and even speculates that Goku may be a Super Saiyan. Undaunted, he tells the Armored Squadron to find and destroy them.
Cooler's henchmen
Icarus reawakens Krillin during the aftermath of the assault by the Armored Squadron, and Krillin then ponders Goku's whereabouts. Meanwhile, Goku and Gohan emerge near a bank, and Goku loses consciousness due to his injury sustained from Cooler's blast. Gohan takes his father to shelter within a cave, but they are sealed away within a cavern due to Dore, Neiz and Salza blasting the landscape in an attempt to kill them. They assume their efforts are enough to have killed both Saiyans, to which Cooler disagrees, stating that while he would prefer to just destroy the Earth, his pride won't allow it; he wants to personally ensure Goku's death since he smeared his family's name (Cooler also makes the point that he is not here to avenge Frieza in the Japanese dub). Meanwhile, Krillin, Oolong, and Icarus, while hiding from the Armored Squadron, search for Goku until they discover them trapped within. When Krillin uses a Ki Blast to destroy a rock that was about to crush Oolong; this is picked up on Neiz's scouter, but to their luck, a Pterodactyl passes Neiz and he supposes that is where the reading came from.
Krillin knocked out
After Krillin sets up shelter in a small cave with Goku, Gohan flies off to obtain Senzu Beans from Korin on his tower. After obtaining the beans from Yajirobe, who was at Korin's Tower he is ambushed by the squadron, but just as he is about to be killed by Dore, Piccolo arrives on the scene and saves him. Piccolo proceeds to battle the warriors and kills Dore with a homing energy blast. He continues to fight Salza and Neiz, but is trapped for a moment in Neiz Bind Wave, allowing Salza to chase down the fleeing Gohan. However, Piccolo proves far too powerful for the attack to work on him, and he transmits it on Neiz, frying and killing him. Piccolo then ambushes Salza in a forest, but Cooler arrives and blasts Piccolo through the chest. He orders Salza to continue chasing down Gohan.
Goku kicks Cooler
Gohan arrives at the cave with the Senzu Beans a short time later, but Salza arrives and destroys the bag just as he is about to give them to Krillin further weakening Goku. An outraged Krillin attacks Salza but proves no match for him; Gohan comes to his aid, but not before giving Goku the extra bean Yajirobe had thrown to him. Gohan is beaten and Salza walks toward the cave to finish Goku. However, Salza's scouter picks up on a rising ki, and Goku walks out of the cave. Cooler arrives moments later and during a conversation, Salza attacks Goku to absolutely no effect. Goku powers up and Salza is sent hurdling into a rock face. Goku then charges at Cooler.
Goku vs. Cooler
Cooler in his final form
Goku continues to pound on Cooler, though Cooler seems to be not visibly affected by his attacks too much. The fight initially starts airborne, and then goes underwater. After they emerge from the water, Cooler decides to take things more seriously and reveals his ability to transform once more than Frieza to Goku (In FUNimation's dub, Cooler tells of his history with his younger brother Frieza, and how he always hated his "spoiled brat" of a brother, and that he was actually planning on killing him himself one day. Cooler reveals that Frieza always had the edge in strength until Cooler found a transformation beyond his brother's). The tyrant then reveals his final transformation and Goku ascertains that he has surpassed Frieza in strength. Even with uses of Kaio-ken and Kamehameha, Goku proves no match for the transformed power of Cooler and finds himself completely outclassed.
Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan
However, as Cooler threatens to destroy the planet, Goku once again channels his fury to become a Super Saiyan. Cooler finds himself, like Frieza was, grossly outclassed, but summons a trump card in the form of a Supernova (the same attack Frieza used to blow up Planet Vegeta, and the one he used to attempt to kill Future Trunks) to destroy Goku and the Earth. However, after a stint of struggling, Goku eventually manages to send it back with a Super Kamehameha, sending Cooler hurtling into the sun. As Cooler curses Goku, he realizes that Goku is the Saiyan he let escape over two and a half decades ago, and that he could have prevented this fate by killing the Saiyan child when he had the opportunity. Cooler then disintegrates and seemingly dies in the Sun.
Super Saiyan Goku counters Cooler's Supernova
Goku, drained after his battle, is found by Krillin and Gohan. Salza reappears and attempts to attack them; however, he is run through and killed by a Special Beam Cannon from a distance. Gohan looks around and calls out Piccolo's name; the movie ends with Piccolo staring at the sun and drinking some water.
Timeline placement
Daizenshuu 6 mentions this movie takes place after Goku returns from Namek, and possibly during the three years of preparation for the Androids.[2]
In Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II it is shown that Cooler arrived on Earth in Age 764, during the time when Goku, Gohan and Piccolo had just begun training.
Releases
Cooler's Revenge was originally released on VHS and Laserdisc in Japan. In 2006, Toei Animation released Cooler's Revenge as part of the final Dragon Box DVD set, which included all four Dragon Ball films and thirteen Dragon Ball Z films. These were presented in a new widescreen transfer from the original negatives with a 16:9 aspect ratio that was matted from the original 4:3 aspect ratio.
FUNimation released Cooler's Revenge for VHS and DVD on January 22, 2002[3] in both edited and uncut forms.[4] As was the case with all previous releases, the movie was released in an unmatted 4:3 aspect ratio. The DVD featured a new English dub with a soundtrack of American rock bands and was also the only movie to include a Latin American Spanish audio option. In 2002, FUNimation bundled Lord Slug with Cooler's Revenge and The Return of Cooler in a new DVD box set. It was released on October 15, 2002, available in both edited and uncut forms.[5][6]
FUNimation re-released Cooler's Revenge and The Return of Cooler on DVD and Blu-ray on November 11, 2008 as part of their "Double Feature" line.[7] This new set featured a brand-new widescreen transfer from Video Post & Transfer and a new audio mix for the English dub featuring the original Japanese score done by Shunsuke Kikuchi in addition to the old mix featuring the American rock bands.
FUNimation repackaged the Double Feature DVDs into three new thinpak sets, the first of which was released on November 1, 2011 and included Dead Zone, The World's Strongest, The Tree of Might, Lord Slug, and Cooler's Revenge. These three sets were also released together in the Canada-only Dragon Ball Z: Complete Movie Collection featuring reversioned artwork of Goten and Trunks from Bio-Broly on the cover.
 Original DVD Cover  Double Feature DVD  Movie 5 Pack  Dragon Ball Z Complete Movie Collection Dragon Ball The Movies: Volume 5 |
Cast
A fourth English version released exclusively in Malaysia by Speedy Video features an unknown voice cast.
Music
- Opening Theme (OP): "Cha-La Head-Cha-La"
- Ending Theme (ED): "Tobikkiri no Saikyō tai Saikyō!"
- FUNimation dub:
- Drowning Pool - Reminded
- Dust for Life - Poison
- American Pearl - Seven Years
- Breaking Point - Under
- Finger Eleven - Stay and Drown
- Breaking Point - Falling Down
- Drowning Pool - Mute
- Disturbed - The Game
- Drowning Pool - Told You So
- Deftones - Change
- American Pearl - Revelation
- Breaking Point - Phoenix
Battles
- Neiz vs. Krillin
- Dore vs. Gohan
- Salza vs. Goku
- Dore vs. Goku
- Neiz vs. Goku
- Cooler vs. Goku
- Neiz vs. Gohan
- Salza vs. Gohan
- Dore vs. Piccolo
- Neiz vs. Piccolo
- Salza vs. Piccolo
- Cooler vs. Piccolo
- Salza vs. Krillin
- Cooler (Final Form) vs. Goku
- Cooler (Final Form) vs. Goku (Super Saiyan)
Reception
Anime News Network rates the DVD with a B for both the Dub and the Sub but said the movie overall is a pretty mediocre release with the story itself being rather weak and using the standard villain of the week feature with no real impact on the lives of the heroes. The movie was released in theaters in Japan on July 20th, 1991 and was part of a double feature alongside Dragon Quest: Great Adventure of Dai. It grossed a total of ¥2.2 billion (US $16.2 million)[9]
Trivia
- In some versions of the movie, the scenes with Cooler and his Armored Squadron in the prologue before fleeing the destruction of Planet Vegeta (as well as Cooler's flashback to these events right before meeting his own end) were given in sepia tone, while in others, the flashbacks were given in full color.
- Gohan has a tail in this movie; it is possible for it to have grown back and to be removed again between when Frieza came to Earth and the arrival of the androids.
- Icarus, who first appeared in The Tree of Might, Lord Slug and the Garlic Jr. Saga is seen multiple times in the film. This movie marks the final appearance of Icarus in the Dragon Ball series.
- All three of Cooler's henchmen are killed by Piccolo. This parallels all members of the Ginyu Force, who Cooler's Armored Squad is based on, being killed by Vegeta.
- When Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan, a Robin that died as a result of Cooler's tearing the planet apart is revived when Goku picks it up and holds it in his hands when he transforms, and it flies away. This would imply that the Super Saiyan has a degree of healing abilities. It may also be a variant of the energy-transferring abilities used by various heroes in the series.
- The movie contains several peculiarities that are not fully explained. To begin with, in spite of Future Trunks killing both King Cold and the revitalized Mecha Frieza only hours prior to Goku's return to Earth, Cooler seems intent only on seeking vengeance for the shame thrust upon his family by Frieza's display of inferiority on Namek, as though he were completely unaware of not only his father's recent death, but also of the second defeat (and actual death) of his brother, as well. However, it is entirely possible that news of these recent events never reached him, since Future Trunks, along with killing Frieza and King Cold, blew up their spaceship and killed all of King Cold's men. However, the video game Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors does mention King Cold's death as well.
- Goku was shown to easily transform into a Super Saiyan upon his return to Earth, but in this movie he only transformed right at the end of the battle. However, it is shown that Goku did not really need it throughout the battle, and at this point in time he only used the Super Saiyan transformation as a last resort. In this film, the Super Saiyan transformation happens as a result of anger, similar to when Goku transformed for the first time on Namek.
- Dragon Ball GT makes reference to this film: Cooler in his transformed state is briefly shown escaping with other villains from Hell during the Super 17 Saga.
- The 14th Shunsuke Kikuchi music package for the franchise starts here. The cues were designated "M12XX" codes, and this package would make its series debut in Extreme Measures.
- In the Re-mastered DVD release, Cooler's voice is slightly deeper in his final form and a different vocal effect was used for his Super Evolution.
- This is the first Dragon Ball Z movie in which Shenron does not make an appearance.
- In the first English versions in this movie until it combines with the sequel of the Return of Cooler, the title of the movie is changed into Dragon Ball Z: The Greatest Rivals in the Philippines.
- The voice dubbers from Creation Corp of 1996 are known for dubbing English voices in the Philippines prior to the characters are voiced by actual English dubbers in the United States.
- Interestingly, Goku's original Philippine-English voice actor in both movies and the RPN-9 version of the anime series' run is Nesty Calvo Ramirez prior to be voiced by Jefferson Utanes who currently voices him in their native language which is the Filipino Dub.
Gallery
 Cooler's Revenge Dragon Box DVD Goku fires a Kamehameha while training Gohan and Chi-Chi Oolong, Chi-Chi, Krillin Gohan collecting firewood Gohan, Oolong, Krillin, Icarus Gohan, Oolong, Krillin, Icarus Krillin is knocked out by Neiz Krillin knocked by Neiz Goku Salza eats the Z Fighters' lunch Icarus and Oolong watching Dore Dore holds Gohan by the tail Gohan and Krillin Goku blocking Neiz's elbow with ease Dore catches Goku in a torture hold Neiz kicking Dore by accident Neiz sweating Salza deflects one of Goku's energy waves Neiz deflects another of Goku's energy waves Dore blocks one of Goku's energy waves Dore shields himself Salza fires a Full Power Energy Wave at Goku Goku blocks Salza's Full Power Energy Wave Goku deflects Salza's Full Power Energy Wave Salza's deflected Full Power Energy Wave Goku shocked Cooler fires his Darkness Eye Beam Goku saves Gohan from Cooler's Darkness Eye Beam Goku fires an Energy Wave to save him and Gohan Cooler blocks Goku's Energy Wave, not knowing it propelled them Cooler deflects Goku's Energy Wave Cooler firing a Death Flash at the river Cooler's Death Flash causes a huge explosion Salza and Dore's Energy Barrage Waves The Armored Squadron fires Energy Barrage Waves Dore and Neiz firing Full Power Energy Barrage Waves Krillin fires a Ki Blast Krillin's Ki Blast Krillin after firing the energy blast Neiz uses his scouter A pterodactyl in front of Neiz The pterodactyl flies by Neiz Cooler's Armored Squadron Salza prepares an attack Salza fires a Finger Beam Salza's Finger Beam hits Icarus Dore rushes on Gohan Dore performs a Thruster Kick Salza prepares a Double Axe Handle Salza smashes Gohan Dore as he prepares to catch Gohan Dore catches Gohan Dore performs the Can-Opener Attack Dore crushing Gohan's head Dore is blasted from behind Piccolo arrives to save Gohan Dore attacks Piccolo Piccolo charges a Chasing Bullet Piccolo fires the Chasing Bullet at Dore Piccolo's Chasing Bullet fired at Dore Dore blocks the attack Dore is killed by Piccolo's Chasing Bullet  Neiz charges his Bind Wave  Neiz fires his Neiz Bind Wave at Piccolo  Neiz's Bind Wave hits Piccolo  Piccolo rendered numb by the electric shock  Piccolo crushes Neiz's skull and fries him  Neiz hit by his own attack  Neiz fried by his own attack  Salza fires a Finger Beam at Piccolo  Salza's Finger Beam hits Piccolo  Piccolo fires a Chasing Bullet at Salza  Chasing Bullet flying at high speed behind of Salza  Salza flies  Salza deflects Piccolo's Chasing Bullet  Salza in a forest  Salza charges a Full Power Energy Wave  Salza fires his attack at Piccolo  Salza confronts Piccolo  Salza performs his Salza Blade technique  Salza attacks Piccolo with the Salza Blade  Cooler's Chaotic Death End hits Piccolo  Cooler's Chaotic Death End impales Piccolo  Cooler holding an injured Piccolo  Salza while Cooler takes care of Piccolo  Salza's Finger Beam destroys the Senzu Beans  Salza attacks Gohan  Salza kicks Gohan  Salza dodges Krillin's punch  Krillin punched by Salza  Krillin fires a Homing Energy Wave at Salza  Salza deflects Krillin's Homing Energy Wave  Salza's Scatter Finger Beam  Krillin knocked down  Gohan's obi  Gohan gets a Senzu Bean in his obi  Salza's scouter breaks  Cooler blasts Piccolo  Cooler's blast  Chaotic Dead End's last stage  Explosion caused by Cooler's attack on Piccolo  Piccolo after the Chaotic Death End  Goku shocked  Salza punches Goku 1.png "FSS Goku (vCooler)1.png (1.88 MB)") Goku powering up  Goku blows Salza away while powering up  Goku punches Cooler in the face  Goku punches Cooler in the stomach 2.PNG "FSS Goku (vCooler)2.PNG (929 KB)") Goku underwater  Cooler ruthlessly blasts Goku  Goku holding the ball  Goku grabs Cooler's tail  Goku throws Cooler away  Cooler faces Goku near a waterfall  Cooler revealing he has one more form  Cooler prepares to transform Cooler powers up to transform  Cooler transforms  Cooler in his final form  Cooler prepares a Double Axe Handle  Cooler Double Axe Handles Goku .jpg "Goku Kaio-Ken (Cooler's Revenge).jpg (996 KB)") Goku uses the Kaio-ken  Cooler punches Goku in the stomach Cooler knocks Goku to the ground  Cooler punching Goku to the ground  Cooler before backhanding Goku  Cooler shocks Goku by appearing behind him  Cooler prepares another Double Axe Handle  Cooler Double Axe Handles Goku again  Goku prepares a Kaio-ken Kamehameha  Goku fires the Kaio-ken Kamehameha at Cooler  Goku firing his Kaio-ken Kamehameha at Cooler  Goku, right before being attacked by Cooler  Cooler flies through Goku's Kaio-ken Kamehameha  Cooler about to hit Goku  Cooler performs the Death Chaser  Cooler backhands Goku  Cooler kicks Goku in the stomach .jpg "Cooler Mega-Kicking Goku (Cooler's Revenge).jpg (769 KB)") Cooler finishes the Death Chaser  Cooler gloats while Goku is stuck in a rock  Cooler uses his psychokinesis  Cooler lifts the ground with his psychokinesis  Goku becomes angry  Super Saiyan Goku  Super Saiyan Goku grasping Cooler's wrist  Super Saiyan Goku talks to Cooler Super Saiyan Goku powering up  Super Saiyan Goku delivers a heavy punch to Cooler  Goku knees Cooler in the stomach  Cooler prepares a Death Flash  Cooler fires his Death Flash at Goku  Cooler firing his Death Flash  Cooler unleashes the intense Death Flash on Goku  Super Saiyan Goku after easily shrugging off a powerful ki blast by Cooler  Cooler prepares a Supernova  Goku tries to block Cooler's Supernova  Cooler surprised by Goku's sudden retaliation against his Supernova  Goku counters Cooler's Supernova  Cooler's Supernova vs. Goku's Super Kamehameha  Super Saiyan Goku counters Cooler's Supernova  Cooler sent to the Sun  Cooler reverts to his true form during his last moments  Cooler is destroyed by the heat of the Sun  Salza prepares an attack  Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon  Salza right before his death  Salza is defeated  |
References
- ↑ http://www.toei-animation-usa.com/dragon-ball.html
- ↑ Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 6: Movies & TV Specials (p. 78) http://www.kanzenshuu.com/movie/dbz-05/
- ↑ Kanzenshuu DBZ movie release guide (North America)
- ↑ "Dragon Ball Z - Cooler's Revenge - Feature (Uncut)", amazon.com
- ↑ "Dragon Ball Z - Movies 4-5-6 (Lord Slug/Cooler's Revenge/The Return of Cooler) (1996)", amazon.com
- ↑ "DragonBall Z: Lord Slug/Cooler's Revenge/The Return of Cooler", amazon.com
- ↑ "Dragon Ball Z: Coolers Revenge / The Return of Cooler (Double Feature) (Steelbook Packaging)", amazon.com
- ↑ http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15614
- ↑ http://worldofkj.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=55322&sid=6362a4092ea8c6562491437817e3722f&start=3500