Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'
'Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F is a 2015 Japanese animated science fantasy martial arts film and the sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods. It is the nineteenth animated feature film based on the 1984–95 manga series Dragon Ball, the fifteenth to carry the Dragon Ball Z branding, and is the second film in the franchise to be personally supervised by series creator Akira Toriyama. The film's plot depicts the return of Frieza, who after his resurrection via the eponymous Dragon Balls, goes into extensive training with the purpose to enact his revenge against Goku.
The film was released theatrically on April 18, 2015. It is the first Japanese film to be screened in IMAX 3D and receive screenings at 4DX theaters. The film saw a limited theatrical release in North American theaters between August 4–13, 2015. Madman Entertainment released the film in Australia and New Zealand, where it ran in theaters between August 6–19, 2015. Manga Entertainment released the film in the United Kingdom and Ireland on September 30, 2015. The film received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the quality of animation and the fast-paced action sequences, although its plot received some criticism.
The film was later adapted into the second story arc of Dragon Ball Super, with the addition of extra scenes and subplots set before its events.
Plot
The alien Sorbet, commander of the remnants of Frieza's military, travels to Earth where the Pilaf Gang are forced to collect and use the magical Dragon Balls to summon the wish-granting eternal dragon Shenron to resurrect Frieza. However, due to Frieza having been killed when Future Trunks chopped him up with his sword, he is revived in many pieces which Sorbet's minions manage to reassemble using their advanced technology. Once restored and back in command of his forces, Frieza abuses some of his minions and plots revenge against the Super Saiyans. Upon learning that Goku has grown far more powerful over time, Frieza postpones the invasion so he can train himself for the first time.Jaco the Galactic Patrolman travels to Earth to warn Bulma that Frieza is approaching and with Goku and Vegeta away training with Whis on Beerus' planet, Gohan, Piccolo, Krillin, Master Roshi, Tien Shinhan and Jaco assemble to resist Frieza's conquest and they fight and defeat thousands of his soldiers. Having greatly increased his power as a result of his training, Frieza overwhelms the warriors but Bulma is successful in making contact with Whis, notifying Goku and Vegeta of Frieza's return. The Saiyans return to Earth, rescue their allies, and face Frieza while Whis and Beerus watch on. Goku fights Frieza first and quickly gains the advantage but the latter deduces that he is holding back, so the two foes agree to fight at full power. Goku transforms into a new godly Super Saiyan form with a glowing blue hair and aura and Frieza assumes his new gold-plated form, which he dubs Golden Frieza. Although Frieza initially gains the upper hand, Goku soon realizes that Frieza's energy drains quickly due to his lack of experience with the golden form.
Goku eventually bests Frieza in battle and gives him a chance to leave Earth, but this causes Frieza's rage to explode. Later, Goku is blasted in the chest by Sorbet's raygun when Frieza's guard is lowered. Frieza stands over the incapacitated Goku, and offers Vegeta a chance to kill him to become his second-in-command. Vegeta refuses, transforms into Super Saiyan Blue, and attacks Frieza. When Krillin attempts to revive Goku with a healing Senzu bean, Frieza attacks him, but Vegeta deflects the energy blast which subsequently kills Sorbet. Vegeta dominates Frieza who is humiliated and proceeds to launch a surprise energy blast into the Earth, destroying it and subsequently killing Vegeta. Goku, Beerus, and the others are shielded by Whis and left floating in space on a small patch of earth where they lament on the loss. Whis remarks that he can reverse time up to three minutes and, after doing so, Goku quickly kills Frieza with a Kamehameha much to Vegeta's anger.
In the aftermath, Goku and Vegeta discuss the assertion by Whis that, if the two of them were to properly learn to work together, opponents like Frieza would be defeated much easier. Vegeta scoffs and indicates that he would rather die than work with Goku, to which Goku humorously agrees. Vegeta remarks that it is about time they finally agree on something. In a post-credits scene, Frieza returns to Hell, and to his dismay, is welcomed back.
Voice cast
| Character | Japanese voice actor | English voice actor |
| Goku | Masako Nozawa | Sean Schemmel |
| Vegeta | Ryō Horikawa | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Freeza | Ryūsei Nakao | Frieza |
| Freeza | Ryūsei Nakao | Christopher Ayres |
| Gohan | Masako Nozawa | Kyle Hebert |
| Piccolo | Toshio Furukawa | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Kuririn | Mayumi Tanaka | Krillin |
| Kuririn | Mayumi Tanaka | Sonny Strait |
| Kame-Sennin | Masaharu Satō | Master Roshi |
| Kame-Sennin | Masaharu Satō | Mike McFarland |
| Tenshinhan | Hikaru Midorikawa | Tien Shinhan |
| Tenshinhan | Hikaru Midorikawa | John Burgmeier |
| Jaco | Natsuki Hanae | Todd Haberkorn |
| Sorbet | Shirō Saitō | Jeremy Schwartz |
| Tagoma | Kazuya Nakai | Micah Solusod |
| Shisami | Tetsu Inada | Brad Venable |
| Beerus | Kōichi Yamadera | Jason Douglas |
| Whis | Masakazu Morita | Ian Sinclair |
| Bulma | Hiromi Tsuru | Monica Rial |
| Future Trunks | Takeshi Kusao | Eric Vale |
| Videl | Yuko Minaguchi | Kara Edwards |
| Dr. Briefs | Ryōichi Tanaka | Dr. Briefs |
| Dr. Briefs | Ryōichi Tanaka | Mark Stoddard |
| Android 18 | Miki Itō | Meredith McCoy |
| Shenron | Ryūzaburō Ōtomo | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Pilaf | Shigeru Chiba | Chuck Huber |
| Mai | Eiko Yamada | Colleen Clinkenbeard |
| Shu | Tesshō Genda | Chris Cason |
| Marron | Hiroko Ushida | Tia Ballard |
Production
The film was originally announced in July 2014 under the tentative title of Dragon Ball Z 2015 in the September 2014 issue of V Jump magazine. The image of Son Goku in Super Saiyan form using the Shunkan Idō technique confirmed Akira Toriyama's credits for the original concept, screenplay and character designs and his mention that the film would be a continuation of his original manga. The author stated that the film will also be a sequel to Battle of Gods, that he strictly scrutinized all the dialogue, and promised more action scenes. A flyer of the same image, with a backside showing Shenlong, handed out at the Jump Victory Carnival event on July 19 revealed that Dragon Ball Z animation supervisor Tadayoshi Yamamuro is directing the new film. Later that month, a short teaser trailer was released of Shenlong bringing someone back to life with text calling this "The worst wish in history.", followed by Goku transforming into a Super Saiyan.In November 2014, the film's Japanese title of Dragon Ball Z: Fukkatsu no F and basic plot outline were unveiled in the January 2015 issue of V Jump. A promotional image released for the film depicts Frieza, Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Son Gohan, Krillin, as well as the God of Destruction Beerus and Whis from the previous film Battle of Gods. Also featured in the image were two new characters that are servants of Frieza, Sorbet and Tagoma.
Producer Norihiro Hayashida said that although Toriyama came up with the story for Battle of Gods, its script was actually written by someone else. Therefore, Resurrection 'F' marks the first time the original creator wrote a screenplay for the series. He revealed that Toriyama had the idea to bring Frieza back while attending a concert by the metal band Maximum the Hormone. It came to him while watching them perform their 2008 song "F", which is about the fictional character. Hayashida also admitted that the team gave the film a fast pace by focusing on fight scenes for the American audience, which "may have caused some shortcomings on the dramatic level."
On December 5, 2014, the first full trailer for the film was aired on Fuji TV's morning show Mezamashi TV. The following day a slightly different trailer and a special audio message from Frieza were added to the film's official website, as well as some of the cast and crew. People who order advance tickets receive an earphone jack strap of either Goku or Frieza designed by Toriyama.
Momoiro Clover Z appeared with Masako Nozawa at a press conference in Tokyo on February 3, 2015, where it was announced that all five members will have roles in the film as "angels from hell." Costumed mascots of Son Goku and Frieza were also present at the event which was held on Setsubun, and accordingly beans were thrown at Frieza in the mamemaki tradition.
On March 2, 2015, a second full trailer was released for Resurrection 'F' revealing Frieza's new form, covering his skin in both gold and dark shades of purple. Other details included in the trailer were a defeated Gohan and Goku, Frieza's henchmen fighting against Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Master Roshi and Krillin. It also features Jaco from Toriyama's 2013 manga series Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, which is set before Dragon Ball. A trailer featuring the series' heroes fighting Frieza and his 1,000-man army was released on March 24 by Mainichi Shimbun.
In April 2015, the 20th issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump revealed Goku's new form of the Super Saiyan God transformation he acquired in Battle of Gods. Toei released a short advertisement depicting Goku and Frieza fighting in their new forms, days before the magazine's official release.