Frieza's return works because the movie earns the revenge fantasy through pure spectacle and lets Goku and Vegeta's pride do the actual storytelling. The fights move at a speed most anime can't sustain, and the theater crowd energy during Vegeta's rage transformation is something you feel in your chest. It's a straightforward revenge plot with nothing new to say, but it says it loud enough that you don't care.

Earth is at peace again when Sorbet and his right hand Tagoma, leftovers of Frieza's army, arrive to take the Dragon Balls held by Emperor Pilaf, Shuu and Mai. They summon Shen Long and revive Frieza, who has spent his time in Hell nursing his hatred for Goku and Future Trunks. Told that Goku has grown far stronger since Namek, Frieza trains for four months. With Goku and Vegeta off training under Whis, Bulma rallies the rest of the gang to face him in this action comedy film.