 “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods” is an animated film that “Dragon Ball” fans have hoped of happening for 17 years, but is it the best “Dragon Ball” film ever made? The answer is no. But I do feel that “Battle of the Gods” was exciting for the fact that the film had “Dragon Ball” creator, Akira Toriyama’s involvement and that he tried to feature as many characters from the series as possible. A fun and entertaining “Dragon Ball Z” animated film! If you are a fan of the manga/anime series, then “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods – Extended Edition” is recommended!
Image courtesy of © 2014 FUNimation. All Rights Reserved.
TITLE: Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods – Extended Edition (Movie 14)
DURATION: Theatrical Cut (1:25:15), Uncut Version (1:45:10)
BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, 4×3 Native Aspect Ratio, English and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Subtitles: English
COMPANY: FUNimation
RATED: TV14
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Original Creator: Akira Toriyama
Director: Masahiro Hosoda
Story: Akira Toriyama
Music by Norihito Sumitomo
Character Design: Akira Toriyama
Art Director: Hiroshi Kato, Hirotsugu Kakoi
Art Design: Hiroshi Kato
Produced by Gyarmath Bogdan, Rioko Tominaga
Anime Production: Toei Animation
Featuring the following voice talent:
Kouichi Yamadera/Jason Douglas as Destruction God Beerus
Masakazu Morita/Ian Sinclair as Wiss
Masako Nozawa/Kyle Hebert as Son Gohan
Masako Nozawa/Sean Schemmel as Son Goku
Masako Nozawa/Kara Edwards as Son Goten
Takeshi Kusao/Laura Bailey as Trunks
Aya Hirano/Justin Cook as Dende
Hikaru Midorikawa/John Burgmeier as Tenshinhan
Hiromi Tsuru/Monica Rial as Bulma
Jouji Yanami as Kaio-sama/Narrator
Kôzô Shioya/Josh Martin as Buu
Masaharu Satou/Mike McFarland as Kame-Sen’nin (Master Roshi)
Mayumi Tanaka/Sonny Strait as Kuririn
Miki Itou/Meredith McCoy as Android 18
Naoko Watanabe/Cynthia Cranz as Chi-Chi
Ryo Horikawa/Christopher R. Sabat as Vegeta
Tohru Furuya as Yamcha
Toshio Furukawa/Christopher R. Sabat as Piccolo
Unshou Ishizuka/Chris Rager as Mr. Satan
Yuko Minaguchi/Kara Edwards as Videl
Eiko Yamada/Colleen Cllinkenbeard as Mai
Jouji Yanami as Dr. Briefs
Kaori Matsumoto as Police woman
Kenji Utsumi as Shenlong
Naoki Tatsuta as Oolong
Naoko Watanabe/Brina Palencia as Puar
Ryouichi Tanaka as Old Kaioshin
Ryûzaburô Ôtomo as Gyuu Mao
Shigeru Chiba/Chuck Huber as Pilaf
Shinichi Karube as Sushi Seller
Shoko Nakagawa as Yogen Gyo
Takahiro Fujimoto as Bubbles
Tesshô Genda as Shuu
Youko Kawanami as Bulma’s Mother
Yuji Mitsuya as Kibitoshin
Following the events of the Dragon Ball Z television series, after the defeat of Majin Buu, a new power awakens and threatens humanity. Beerus, an ancient and powerful God of Destruction, searches for Goku after hearing rumors of the Saiyan warrior who defeated Frieza. Realizing the threat Beerus poses to their home planet, the Z-fighters must find a way to stop him before it’s too late. Only Goku, humanity’s last hope, can ascend to the level of a legendary Super Saiyan God and stop Beerus from destroying Earth, and possibly the entire universe!
In 2013, the 14th “Dragon Ball Z” film (the 18th “Dragon Ball” film overall) titled “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods” premiered in theaters in Japan.
The first “Dragon Ball” movie in 17 years, “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods” is the first film in the movie series that was created as part of the “Dragon Ball” canon and is set during the time skip in chapter 517. It was also a film in which the original creator, Akira Toriyama was involved and now, the film will make its first appearance on Blu-ray in North America courtesy of FUNimation.
The film features Beerus, the God of Destruction, being awakened by Whis from a long slumber.
With Beerus awakened, this has caused distress for many, including Kaio-sama (King Kai), who tries to keep the existence of Beerus as a secret and knowing that if Son Goku finds out, Goku would do anything to fight him as Goku has always wanted to be the most powerful person in the world.
As Goku is on Planet being trained by Kaio-sama, back on Earth, the Z Warriors are celebrating the birthday of Bulma and everyone is having fun.
On the day that Beerus and Whis come to visit Kaio-sama, in search of the God of Planet Saiyajin, Goku meets Beerus and challenges him to a duel. Beerus allows for it to happen and gives Goku a chance to fight him with all his power.
But even at Level 3 Saiyan, Goku is easily defeated with two blows.
Meanwhile, Beerus the Destroyer heads to Earth in search of the Super Saiyan God and Kaoio-sama sends a message to Vegeta to protect his friends as Goku was easily beaten with two punches.
But to Vegeta’s surprise, Beerus arrives and interrupts the party and as the Z Warriors fears the destruction of Earth, can the Z Warriors fight against the powerful Beerus?
As Goku tries to learn how he can beat a God, he learns from Shenglong that the power of six pure-hearted Saiyans can help him reach the Super Saiyan God form. But can Goku defeat Beerus, the god of destruction?
VIDEO:
“Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods – Extended Edition” is presented in 1080p High Definition. As expected from a newer “Dragon Ball Z” film, the colors are vibrant and there is also good use of CG for coloring and shading for background art but also buildings/castles. Picture quality is sharp and the film looks fantastic in HD!
With that being said, I do feel there is a major difference from the cell-shaded “Dragon Ball Z” films in terms of background art and cell shading, but I do feel the older “Dragon Ball Z” films had something magical in terms of background art and cell work. But this latest animated film does showcase the vibrant colors in HD!
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods – Extended Edition” is presented in Japanese and English Master Audio 5.1. with English subtitles. Dialogue and the film’s musical soundtrack is crystal clear and there are no signs of crackling or hiss during my viewing of the film.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods – Extended Edition″ comes with the following special features:
- Behind the Scenes: Battle of Voice Actors – (9:53) A look at the American English dub actors at the studio doing various scenes from the film.
- The Voices of Dragon Ball Z: Unveiled – (19:22) Featuring the American English dub actors of “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods”.
- Textless Closing Song
- U.S. Trailers – “Dragon ball Z” trailers
- Trailers – FUNimation trailers
For many of us that read or watched “Dragon Ball”, many of us have wondered if Akira Toriyama would bring fans a new “Dragon Ball” story.
Of course, a few years ago, fans were given a chance to see “Dragon Ball” remastered and made into “Dragon Ball Kai” with new bits of animation. But fans have wanted to see these characters come back into animated form, not just for video game sake.
And in 2013, the first “Dragon Ball” film to be release in Japan in 17 years, was released in Japan with major PR buildup, especially all over Tokyo, with exhibitions to Kentucky Fried Chicken leading the charge of “Dragon Ball” swag.
Here we are in 2014 and “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods” has now made its way to America on Blu-ray via an extended edition which includes the theatrical version of the animated film and a 20-minute longer uncut version.
I typically don’t put too much into “Dragon Ball” films, for this one, it was an exception as Akira Toriyama has said its part of the series’ canon and also, for any fan of the series, you can’t help but be excited to see everyone reunite once again!
While I did enjoy “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods” as a fan of the series, I was hoping for more focus on the action rather than a story that tries to bring out every character.
Yes, we get mega action as Goku takes on the god of destruction, Beerus but we also get the comedy that we have typically seen in a “Dragon Ball Z” filler episode.
Aside from the battle, we also get Emperor Pilaf, Shu and Mai trying to steal the Dragon Balls. Gohan donning the Super Saiyaman outfit once again, Gotenks and Trunks doing the fusion combo and while Trunks tries to impress Gotenks and his mother that he is dating the very short but 40-something year-old Mai, for those wanting some of that comedy will be happy, while those used to the action-driven storyline may find the film straying too far from the action.
But sometimes the comedy is a bit too cheesy. For example, I found it ridiculous that Beerus was getting jealous of Buu over pudding cups and then all the Z Warriors taking him on and not getting very far.
But when the film does get to the action, especially seeing Vegeta going all out against Beerus, you can’t help but be excited to see Vegeta and also Goku kicking some major butt!
While the extended uncut version of the film is included, I felt the theatrical version was much better because the uncut version just went too long. I watched the uncut version first and felt part of the story needed trimming down and fortunately, for the theatrical cut, they made the necessary 20-minutes of cuts that was needed.
As for the Blu-ray release, the film looked absolutely vibrant and is full of color. This is the cleanest, sharpest and most colorful “Dragon Ball Z” animated film yet and it looks great on Blu-ray! Also, both lossless soundtracks are very good and both acting for both Japanese and English soundtracks are well-done! While there are no major Japanese featurettes included on the Blu-ray release, you do get two English dub FUNimation featurettes.
Overall, “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods” is an animated film that “Dragon Ball” fans have hoped of happening for 17 years, but is it the best “Dragon Ball” film ever made? The answer is no.  But I do feel that “Battle of the Gods” was exciting for the fact that the film had “Dragon Ball” creator, Akira Toriyama’s involvement and that he tried to feature as many characters from the series as possible.
A fun and entertaining “Dragon Ball Z” animated film! If you are a fan of the manga/anime series, then “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods – Extended Edition” is recommended!
