DRAGONBALL Z: RESURRECTION "F" (2015)

 

PHENOMENALITY: *marvelous*
MYTHICITY: *poor*
FRYEAN MYTHOS: *adventure*
CAMPBELLIAN FUNCTION: *metaphysical*

RESURRECTION "F" is the direct sequel to BATTLE OF GODS, which launched a new series of animated DRAGONBALL feature films in the 2010s. However, whereas BATTLE premiered the new characters of the destroyer-god Lord Beerus and his majordomo Whis, RESURRECTION is a stale retread in which once more Goku and his fellow Saiyan Vegeta contend with an old enemy. But since this was another script by the franchise's creator Akira Toriyama, I suppose he had the right to coast if anyone did.

The evil alien overlord Frieza has been dead for some time, tormented in a Japanese hell where he has to listen to fuzzy bunnies singing happy songs. However, some of Frieza's former army, headed by Commander Sorbet, desire to revive their old boss. They collect all seven dragonballs and summon the wish-dragon Shenron, who revives Frieza even though he's been cut into pieces. We don't see a bunch of animated body parts flopping about, though, because Sorbet has a handy-dandy organic integrator lying around, Soon Frieza is strutting around, killing off subordinates whenever he feels like it and nurturing a grudge against Goku and all the allies who vanquished the evildoer in past.

As is often the case, Goku and Vegeta, competitive with one another as always, have journeyed to Beerus' world to train with majordomo Whis. He makes some observations about the mental failings of both Saiyans, and Beerus, waking up cranky, reminds the heroes that the only reason he spared Earth was because he enjoyed the food there. 

One good thing about the Saiyans' absence: when Freiza's troops attack Earth, many of the heroic support-cast get to kick butt, which often does not occur in the animated films. But none of the support characters can handle ultra-powered Frieza himself, so Bulma is able to summon Goku and Vegeta to save the day,

And so, the heroes take turns fighting Frieza, while their friends watch anxiously and the two deity-types chow down on Earth food. As usual, the villain of the show has some secret technique to up his game, and the heroes have to up their game in turn. After Goku wins, his reluctance to take his ruthless enemy's life allows Frieza to destroy Earth. Fortunately, Whis just happens to have mentioned he has the power to reset time about three minutes back, and so Goku gets a do-over.

Aside from giving the support cast more props, there's a little bit of diffident camraderie sustained between the two Saiyans, but none of it is germane to the simplistic plot.