Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'
ドラゴンボールZ 復活の「F」
Detailed parental analysis
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' is a fast-paced action fantasy film, steeped in an atmosphere that is both spectacular and lighthearted, faithful to the universe of the cult franchise. The plot centres on the return of a formidable enemy whom the heroes believed they had defeated for good, forcing Goku and his allies to surpass themselves once more. The film is aimed primarily at adolescent and adult fans of the saga, but remains accessible to children over eight years old when accompanied by an adult.
Violence
Violence is the primary driving force of the film and occupies a substantial portion of screen time. Hundreds of soldiers are eliminated in close combat during massive sequences, and a character is tortured by a laser beam in a scene with genuine emotional impact. Blood remains discreet, limited to a few symbolic scratches, and violence is stylised in the manner of shōnen: it is spectacular, codified, and serves to illustrate self-transcendence rather than to shock. It is never questioned morally, however: overcoming through force is presented as the natural and legitimate response to every conflict, with no alternative considered.
Underlying Values
The narrative rests on the franchise's classical values: self-transcendence, perseverance, relentless training as the sole path to power. Individual physical performance is central to everything, and the balance of power systematically determines the outcome of situations. Revenge motivates the return of the main antagonist and structures the narrative tension without ever being genuinely called into question. Conversely, loyalty among allies and a certain sense of honour in combat introduce a positive nuance that the parent can exploit to open discussion.
Language
The dubbing contains a notable number of mild swear words: around a dozen instances of 'shit' and equivalents, a few 'bloody hell' and 'fuck', with a single instance of 'bastard'. This register is consistent with the combative and virile tone of the film, but it warrants flagging for younger children who might reproduce this vocabulary without understanding the context.
Substances
A divine character briefly consumes what appears to be a beer, with no depiction of intoxication or narrative consequence. The incident is too marginal to constitute a message, but it can be the occasion for a quick remark if the child picks up on it.
Strengths
The film effectively delivers on its promise to saga fans: the confrontations are clear, the animation is dynamic, and the emotional stakes work for those familiar with the characters. The relationship between Goku and Vegeta, tinged with affectionate rivalry, brings a modicum of depth to the exchanges between combatants. For a child or adolescent already familiar with Dragon Ball, the film has genuine cultural transmission value: it fits into a long narrative and mythological continuity that many parents themselves have experienced, making it a rare opportunity for intergenerational sharing around a common popular work.
Age recommendation and discussion points
The film is not recommended for children under eight years old due to sustained violence and a torture scene. Between eight and ten years old, viewing with an adult is recommended. From ten years old onwards, it can be watched freely by a child familiar with the universe. Two angles of discussion merit raising after viewing: why do the characters never find any solution other than combat to settle their conflicts, and what does this tell us about how we imagine strength and problem-solving in real life.
Synopsis
One peaceful day on Earth, two remnants of Frieza's army named Sorbet and Tagoma arrive searching for the Dragon Balls with the aim of reviving Frieza. They succeed, and Frieza subsequently seeks revenge on the Saiyans.
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2015
- Runtime
- 1h 33m
- Countries
- Japan
- Original language
- JA
- Directed by
- Tadayoshi Yamamuro
- Main cast
- Masako Nozawa, Ryo Horikawa, Ryusei Nakao, Koichi Yamadera, Masakazu Morita, Hiromi Tsuru, Mayumi Tanaka, Masaharu Sato, Toshio Furukawa, Takeshi Kusao
- Studios
- Toei Animation, Toei Company, Fox International Productions Japan, Shueisha, Fuji Television Network, Bandai, Bandai Namco Group
Content barometer
- Violence4/5Strong
- Fear2/5A few scenes
- Sexuality1/5Allusions
- Language2/5Moderate
- Narrative complexity1/5Accessible
- Adult themes1/5Mild
Watch-outs
- Death
- Strong language
- Violence
Values conveyed
- Courage
- Perseverance
- Loyalty
- friendship
- teamwork