DragonBall: Evolution, Movie News...

[Josh1122]

I knew going into this movie, with FOX on the reigns, this movie wasn't going to be anywhere near the actual manga or anime series. But I like to go into things with an open mind and keep my options open and rather see something for myself personally before I listen to others and say it was a bust or flop.

I went and saw it with my niece the first day it came out, she already knew who the characters were because she sometimes sits and watches the anime with me. I won't spoil anything because I don't know who hasnt seen or plans to see it when the movie comes out on DVD.

But like others have said, this movie was mediocre, I personally felt it delivered on what it was supposed to be, a clanky, boy gets girl, family oriented movie. In that regard it success.

But as an overall relation to the manga/anime? There was barely any resemblance and according to dbthemovie.com, who covers everything DragonBall Evolution wise, FOX is planning to reboot the DragonBall franchise and start over because they want to make a successful trilogy out of this franchise.

Hopefully they get a new writer and director.

[Ryu Hardt]

This thread hasn't been posted in in quite awhile, but seeing as I rented DragonBall: Evolution yesterday and watched it I figured I would give my review.

My first major qualm with this is that the movie was only 75 minutes long. How the hell do you summarize Picoolo's arch, which lasts at least 40 episodes in DragonBall, down to only an hour and fifteen minutes?!?

Next was the change in cast, setting, and wording. Where in the world did this Fuller guy come from? Since when did Goku and Chi Chi attend school? And why would you change the pronounciation of "Ki" to "Key?" That had me confused for literally five minutes of the movie.

After that I had an issue with the consistency. Granted it is supposedly set in a different universe from the DragonBall stories altogether but why would you have certain characters call Master Roshi, Muten Roshi and others call him Master? And what was the deal with the name of the dragon and his appearance? They called him Shenlong, which is his Japanese counterparts name, but why not stick with the American name, Shenron? He couldn't have even been anymore then 50 feet in length. To top it all off he had no speaking lines in the movie. I was excited thinking I'd get to hear his voice say his usual, "You have summoned me, what is your wish." and "Your wish has been granted." Do I get that? Nope. Dragon just shows up, grants Goku's wish, then leaves. Epic failure.

Besides that I thought the movie was bearable. Tyrailius and our Mom thought it was pretty good. After that I decided if I looked at it in a different perspective, as if I had never saw the original series, it was an alright movie, but I wish they would've followed DragonBall a little bit better.

By no means do I hope my opinions keep someone from enjoying this movie. As I told Tyrailius and my Mom today, when the movie goes on sale, for like $5-10 I'll get it. Until then, I can do without.

One good thing that came from watching the movie was that I dug through my closet and found my Saiyan Saga DVD Box Set and started watching it. Fell asleep three episodes into DragonBall Z though.

[Brojasu]

I rented this the first day it was out. The first half was bearable, not good but bearable. I was almost getting embarrassed about being a Dragonball fan with the second half though. I've seen better Dragonball movies with better special effects on youtube.

Even if I forgot about the source material it was bad. The plot was lame and all over the place, the action sequences were meh, as was the sound. The special effects were terrible, and the acting was sub par for the most part. At least it had some funny scenes, but that doesn't save it.

And one of the extras was like a straight up insult to DB fans, the one with the fight choreographers showing you how to fight. When he did the Kamehameha he was like "kamy, hamy, HA!" and then shot out just some little Ki blast. I mean he could've at least said it right. Movie was fail!

[Otaku]

I actually haven't even bothered with this movie, and honestly I probably won't. From what I've been reading here, and on Rotten Tomatos. I have barely heard anything good about it. I watched a review on YouTube about it, and the guy said it was pretty much an abomination. In about the next year, or so. I may go out, and rent it. When the movie places have it for 5 nights for a dollar.

Just like the apparant sequel that they are supposed to make. I probably won't rush out to see that one either. I'll watch to see what some people say about it. If I hear the lines "It was better than DB: Evolution". That'll probably give me some motivation to see it.

[BuckyMayhem]

It took me a really long time to see this movie. Even then, my friends practically bribed me with popcorn, and alcohol. Saw it near the end of July, and I have to say, it sucked. I'm not going to go too in depth, because everything that needs to be said, has been said (and said well), but watching DBE was just awful. I think I can honestly say I prefer Transformers 2 over this, and I hated that movie with a passion.

Ryu really summed up a lot of my major disappointments with the movie. How do you manage to fuck up Shenron? There's only two things you need to do. One, make him take up the entire sky. Two? GIVE HIM AN EPIC VOICE, YOU BASTARDS!! James Earl Jones, Robert Axelrod, and Jeremy Irons all immediately spring to my mind. Yet, nothing.

Then, the absolute failure of the Kamehameha. Like Brojasu said, the douche playing Goku said it wrong, and, on top of that, the move itself was weak. I'm sorry, but the kamehameha is meant to be one hell of a move, somewhere along the lines of a Dragon Kick to the throat. Not cool, movie. Not. Cool.

Then, the casting director had their head up their ass. I have nothing else to say, other than that. James Marsters? You morons.

This is not a movie I'd even consider bargain bin material, nor is it a movie I'd stop to watch on TBS, or Spike TV (who nominated this movie for the "Best Comic Movie"? Dammit, Spike, stop taking drugs, and open your eyes!). It's insulting to anyone with half a brain stem. Oh, the fight choreography makes Power Rangers look academy award worthy, by my opinion. The only good thing I can say about my experience with this movie is that I got free popcorn. Buttery popcorn. Mmmmmmm.

Numerical score? Hell no. I have something better. This is for you, James Wong.



ETA: Wow. This review is the polar opposite of a previous post. I also point out that I originally thought Marsters would be excellent. Jesus Christ, I am a fickle bastard. Oh well. The movie still sucks.

This post has been edited by BuckyMayhem on Sep 17 2009, 12:08 AM

[CrabCakes]

I have been wanting to see this movie seeing as I'm a big fan of DBZ. However after reading your posts I may decide this is one movie not worth the 3 dollars to rent.