A mad scientist in a mechanical body hunting for the world's strongest man sounds like filler until the snow hits and suddenly you're watching one of DBZ's best-animated tournaments disguised as a kidnapping plot. The fight choreography actually breathes here, giving characters room to move in ways the TV show never could. Goku gets to be clever instead of just strong, and watching him problem-solve against someone who's studied him for years feels earned in a way most DBZ movies don't bother with.

Dr. Wheelo, a mad scientist bent on ruling the world, has had his brain placed in a robot body, and he now wants to take over the body of the world's strongest warrior. His servant Dr. Kochin gathers the dragon balls to free him from the ice of the Tsurumai-Tsuburi Mountains, and creatures called Bio-Men attack Gohan and Oolong while three unknown fighters ambush Piccolo. Believing Muten-Roushi is the strongest man alive, Kochin takes Bulma hostage to force his cooperation, and before long Goku and his friends are fighting for Goku's life in a sci-fi action adventure film.