Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' Movie Review and U.S. Release Date: Frieza, Goku, Vegeta Are Back

Jul 31, 2015 08:55 PM EDT

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' brings back familiar character including Goku and Vegeta for an epic showdown with iconic villain Frieza. Suffice to say, the ensuing battle was breathtaking as promised in the trailers.

The story starts with the remnants of Frieza's minions attempting to resurrect their old boss. They succeed using Dragon Balls. After emerging from the resurrection machine, Frieza begins plotting his revenge against those who killed him.

As the movie progresses, there are subtle hints to past events that are sure to stoke fan nostalgia. Even so, Resurrection 'F' is not overly bogged down in past references. That means neophytes to the Dragon Ball Z universe will still be able to follow the film. So, fans can still bring along friends and family without the annoyance of having to explain every single little detail.

Some Dragon Ball fans may be disappointed in knowing that many notable characters are missing. Naturally, the film explains their absence due to the sudden appearance of Frieza's army on planet Earth. Hence, only a handful of Goku's friends show up in time for the fight. Though the heroes spend most of their time dealing with swarms of enemy warriors, the battle sequences are well choreographed with clever camera angles.

Naturally, the massive brawl is incomparable with to the brodown between fan-favorite Goku and villainous Frieza. Both combatants take on new transformations while pulverizing the environment around them.

Unfortunately, the only major thing lacking for Resurrection 'F' is its inability to add more to the DBZ universe. The story merely adds a side-note to the franchise's otherwise complex storyline. In fact, there are are no noticeable repercussions that fans can look out for in the inevitable sequel. Yes, all the villains eventually get their comeuppance in some form or another.

Conclusively though, the action is fast-paced and heart-thumping. The humor is cheeky in a way that smacks of classic Dragon Ball Z humor. Overall, fans will be very pleased with references to the TV show and previous DBZ films. The filmmakers could have tried harder with adding more depth to the story. Apart from that, the film offers a satisfying continuation of the previous Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods.

Resurrection 'F' English Dub Coming Soon to North American Theaters

For those who missed earlier viewings of Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' in the United States, there is still a chance to see the movie on the silver screen.

Resurrection 'F' will soon see a limited release in more than 1,000 theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The latest installment in the Dragon film franchise will only be in select theaters between August 4 thru 12. As of now, tickets can be purchased from the official Dragon Ball Z site.

"Last year's phenomenal fan response to Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods resulted in sold out theaters across North America," Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of FUNimation, said to the press. "It wouldn't surprise me if theaters sell out again.