I just came home from Eastwood Cinema. Mich and I were able to catch the last full show of Dragon Ball Evolution (10:20PM showing) and OMG I was blown away by the movie. It sucked so much that I felt like I was watching a bunch of amateur cosplayers do a skit on stage during an anime conference. I kid you not people, I had more fun watching the first episode of Dragon Ball: Kai. If there are still any brave souls out there who plan on watching the movie in the coming days, brace yourselves for an hour and a half of torture. My Dragon Ball Evolution Movie Review after the break.
Justin Chatwin Butchers Goku Role
Let’s start with the very basics – the casting of the lead character. Whoever thought that Justin Chatwin should be cast as Goku seriously has to quit the job of casting. Justin Chatwin does not know how to act at all. If ever he did good in his previous films, he butchered Goku in this movie. There was no feeling or no connection whatsoever when he would deliver the dramatic one liners that would make his character cool. To those who have watched the movie, recall the last part – that was the worst main hero acting I have ever seen in my entire life.
Plot/Story Lapses
Other than the casting director, someone should also fire the writers. There were so many plot lapses. How the hell did Piccolo escape from that lamp? There was no explanation whatsoever! Also, in terms of character development, we never even heard any of the characters mention the name of Mai (the sidekick of Piccolo). Did she play a role in the release of Piccolo? Argh. Also, there was only a .5 second mention of Goku’s origins… which is kinda weird seeing as him being alien should have probably been hyped up.
Fight Scenes lacked “Epicness”
What’s the reason why anyone here watches Dragon Ball? It’s because of the epic fight scenes between the characters. That’s where this movie fails miserably. The fight scenes, especially the last one with Piccolo and Goku just sucked so much that my future grandchildren probably feel the hate that I have right now for the creators of this movie adaptation (lol). The fight scenes were boring, normal, and dragging.
There have been news that Fox will come up with two more sequels to Dragon Ball Evolution. This is kinda supported by the “secret ending”. To those who watch, if you can still stomach it wait until after the credits because there’s a bonus scene. If ever the sequels do happen, the producers should make sure that Jamie Chung should still play Chi Chi because that’s probably the only thing that will make this movie sell to men, hahaha.
If I were to give a rating for this, I’d give it a 2 out of 5 (5 as the highest). The only redeeming factors here were Bulma (I think Emmy Rossum was perfect for the role), Chi Chi, the special effects for the Dragon Balls, Shen Long (the dragon), and the capsule technology that Bulma used for the Bike.
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JC John Sese Cuneta on April 12, 2009
Mine is like this: “It’s a good movie, but not something I will recommend to anyone.” :p
Allow me to explain:
1) I ignored “Justin Chatwin”.
2) I missed the “Plot/Story Lapses”, I mean, I am already aware that they will change things, too used to that so meh. Piccolo is back, cool, thanks. hehehe :p If you know what I mean.
3) Epic Fight Scenes – hah, that’s why I will not recommend this movie.
It’s a good movie, “AS an American” movie and the rest of it (like Chichi and Bulma’s tech). But it isn’t a “Dragonball” movie
It is just a movie.
Now the movie “Super Typhoon”, that’s what I call… nvm.
^_^
PS
Chow’s comedy acting in DBE doesn’t fit him IMO, he was weird in the scene.
Jamie Chung Dragon Ball Evolution Movie Chi Chi, Jamie Chung Chi Chi, Jamie Chung Dragonball, Jamie Chung Pictures | Waukster Online on April 12, 2009
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Wauks on April 12, 2009
Hi JC,
You’re spot on with Chow on comedy for DBE. Definitely not for him. With regards to plot lapses, I was talking more about how they failed to explain some of the things they did in the movie. It doesn’t have to be a match to the anime, it’s just that they didn’t bother explaining some critical issues at all.
But I strongly disagree that it was good. Meh. Maybe I’m just biased since I loved the anime series so much.
Oh well.
Blades on April 12, 2009
told yah… total flop! nyahahaha! minsan mkikita tlaga sa trailer at line of cast if maganda ung movie… hollywood once again raped a very good asian franchise…nyahahaha! f*ck hollywood! P.S. director ata ng movie nito, ung bida sa shaolin soccer,kung fu hustle,etc.. db chinese guy un?anong kaalam alam nya sa franchise ng DB at how many fanbase ang meron nito sa asia..haha..sayang ung movie… sayang tlaga.. get this.. budget dw nito 100m.. lately kumita plang ng 20m worldwide..thats so flop! haha!..
natural_d on April 12, 2009
The good guy from the movies you mentioned was Stephen Chow, he co-produced the film. I’m a fan of his and he is somewhat of an icon in asia. I think the director was James Wong, he directed Final Destination 1 & 3. Also worked on the popular series the X-files.
It doesn’t surprise me that it flopped, like most of anime adaptations. Hope the rumored akira movie doesn’t suffer the same faith. hehe..
Eizan on April 12, 2009
Haha, thanks for the review. Now I know I won’t need to spend my money for this one.
~~~~~ on April 12, 2009
it is as i have forseen.
btw, no giant ball of everyone else’s power? LAME!
ronn on April 12, 2009
So we should watch T2 instead?
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[...] of Slumdog Millionaire and OMG – this is the bomb! Watching it redeemed the epic failure which was Dragon Ball Evolution. I won’t go through a full movie review on this one but let me just say that this movie [...]
ojmit on April 13, 2009
weird thing..after reading this review, makes me want to watch this movie to see how it really sucked! ahaha
Wauks on April 13, 2009
@ojmit: that’s how I felt with Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li. Hahahaha
The Gooseman on April 13, 2009
DBE is just one anime live action adaptation. There are many more in the pipe line. After the success of TransFormers many studios and producers hopped in the band wagon thinking that making a movie of something with a huge fan base will be easy and an instant success. They were wrong and DBE is proof. I’m with natural_d, I hope the live action adaptation of Akira doesn’t flop as well as Steven Spielberg’s live action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell.
There are rumors going around the Net about who will play the main characters in the next live action anime adaptations. Justin Chatwin “butchered” Son Goku, how do you think Leonardo DiCaprio will do as, Tetsuo Shima, of Akira or Angelina Jolie as, Major Motoko Kusanagi, of Ghost in the Shell?
No word yet if the Hollywood versions will retain the original names or if the story will take place in Japan. I just don’t think Terry and Michelle will do these characters justice; I hope they keep the original names. In regards with location, I hope they stay in Japan. I’d hate these to be another “destroy New York” movie.
Rakesh on April 15, 2009
WHat a lousy film, seriously it sucked, guys.
The Angel-Killer on April 15, 2009
wahahahaaha..based from the reviews and the comments, i guess we can already call it epic fail wahahaha..goodluck to all those who will watch it @_@
Decikator on April 17, 2009
Mas maganda pa ata kung ginawa nilang katulad sa FF7 Advent Children…panay computer generated lahat.
mastabogus on April 18, 2009
crrrrrrrrraaapppp from the trailer itself it was already a big mess. who would have thought the best movie making industry (hollywood) come up with such lame production.. dragonball is one of my all time favorites and was butchered by some who call themselves moviemakers. dumbs@#$&!!!!
Nonilyn on April 21, 2009
Hahaha! tlaga? Flop! as in?
well, i think i’m not surprise…
Dragon Ball was one anime that is obviously need a very long time of filming! yung fight scenes palang could ruin planet Earths face! DuhHh’ iba yung effect ng anime, iba din yung totoong human being na yung magportray ng role!…
then the actors, the guy who played Goku? i never saw a spark on him…not that i don’t like him, maybe that character wasn’t realy meant for him…so sorry… the anime goku was cuter! LOL’ the one who played Piccolo? he looked more like a Hulk! hehehe!
Thank’s for this site I’ll never attempt to see that film…
I’ll beter stick to the movie X-Men, that’s so cool!
the actor, the role totally suites him!
Hugh Jackman was meant to be Wolverine!!!
like Halle Berry for Catwoman
Jennifer Garner for Electra…
ulq04espada on June 8, 2009
Bakit naman kase sa dinamidami ng pwedeng i adapt e ung dragonball series pa as if duh!!! dragonball yan mehn sana iba nalang pwede naman cgro pokemon hehe