Product Details

• Actors: Sam Vincent, Brent Miller, Nicole Oliver, Michael Kopsa, Matt Hill
• Directors: J. Falconer
• Writers: Kevin Mowrer, Paul Robinson, Richard Elliott, Rob Travalino, Simon Racioppa
• Producers: Asaph Fipke, Chuck Johnson
• Format: Animated, Color, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English, Japanese
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Funimation Prod
• DVD Release Date: February 7, 2006
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000BZ8IBW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,492 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Dragon Booster: Release the Dragon" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Dragon Booster series from ABC Family and Toon Disney reflects the increasing influence of anime on North American TV animation. The filmmakers borrow from numerous sources, including Voltron, Transformers, and Star Wars, but never succeed in melding the elements into a coherent narrative. Teenager Artha Penn discovers he is the puissant "dragon booster" when the reincarnated legendary dragon Beau bonds with him. But nasty Moordryd Paynn and his even nastier father want Beau so they can start a war between humans and dragons that will somehow make them all-powerful. After the Paynns destroy his father's stables, Artha takes Beau on the lam. They get involved in dragon street racing, with some help from Artha's smart-aleck brother Lance and his techie friend Parmon. All the characters in Dragon Booster feel cliché-ed, and the weightless computer animation and unattractive designs don't help the floundering narrative. Every surface is covered with brightly colored patterns, making the action difficult to follow. (Rated TV Y7, suitable for ages 8 and older: minor violence) --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars some of the best "Can-imation" ever unleashed, February 5, 2006

By 

J. Blaine - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dragon Booster: Release the Dragon (DVD)

I first discovered this series on ABC Family quite a few months ago, and I have to say that this is one of the sleekest and best produced animated series to grace television sets in years!
"Dragon Booster" is one of the finest Canadian animated imports ever unleashed. It boasts solid story-telling as well as fascinating character and story-line development.
I think it is a series that has transcended many age groups, not just kids.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about this series is the animation. In a word: ASTONISHING! It combines 2-d and 3-d cel drawing with CGI-assisted animation. The animation is so smooth in movement, vibrant in color, and vast in detail that it looks like something straight out of some of the best Disney animated feature films. It must be seen to be beleived!
I hope these DVDs will do well, and that Funimation will (volume by volume if necessary) will release all episodes of the series.
As far as "Can-imation" (Canadian animated series) goes, this series is so good it ranks up there with the likes of ReBoot, Beast Wars Transformers, and War Planets/Shadow Raiders.
O Canada!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Shows Ever, September 13, 2006

By 

momof3 (Claremont, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dragon Booster: Release the Dragon (DVD)

This DVD contains episodes #1-4 of the first season of Dragon Booster: The Choosing Parts 1 and 2, Into the Fire, and Opposing Force. This will give you a good introduction to a really fun sci fi series.

My family first learned about Dragon Booster from the toys given out by McDonalds sometime last year, but it is not a series written just for kids. I tracked down the show simply because I liked the toy dragons but now we watch it every chance we get. We are now happily watching the third season shown on ToonDisney in the US. We have seen every episode from season 1 (#1-15) and 2 (#16-26).

There are many reasons why we like this series. Many of our reasons have been explained by the other customer reviews, particularly the one that called the animation "astonishing!" I fully agree. We like the fast pace, fun story lines, and dragon characters. Unlike the Amazon editorial reviewer, I personally really like the mix of cartoon animation and anime and I love the way the series refers to other great sci fi archetypes in the shows. Others might think that this makes Dragon Booster a bit of a copycat; to me it makes Dragon Booster feel like an old friend that I love and care for. Also, the writers have developed a great sense of humor so that Dragon Booster doesn't take itself too seriously. This allows us to enjoy the references to the sci fi greats and have fun with the shows, as the characters have fun with each other.

Another reason I like this series is that it is appropriate for everyone in the audience. The action-packed story lines are rich enough for adults but enjoyable for our children too. The main themes are friendship, loyalty, honesty, believing in yourself, humility, teamwork, and that positive qualities are found in almost everyone (Only mega-bad guy Word Paynn in this show seems fully unredeemable). Also, another admirable theme that shows up from time to time is helping others who need help, even if they are your sworn enemy. For example, in the episode #17 "Faster than Fear" Artha and Lance help Moordryd and Cain (not on this disk), and in another episode (I forget which one) bad guy Moordryd helps good guy Lance when they get stuck together.

The main character, Artha/the Dragon Booster, is quite likeable. He is a believable teenage boy who struggles with doing what he wants and being a responsible hero, brother, and friend. He is a role model that kids will connect with and learn from as Artha chooses to make the right decisions, not selfish ones. This heartening message is never nauseating though. The writers successfully blend the lesson with action, conflict and humor and keep it cool enough for both adults and kids.

I hope that you enjoy Dragon Booster as much as we do!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was hooked, August 16, 2006

By 

Contessa C. Robins "darchet" (skokie, il usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dragon Booster: Release the Dragon (DVD)

My son ABSOLUTELY loves this show and i wanted to see what he found so enthralling...the show is awesome. I love the characters, the action - by the way this action is so good it can go head to head with the Matrix, like one part where he dives to catch kitt and so many other parts. it grows on you. i really can't see how anyone would not give this a good review! :)