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Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:38 pm
by Serpent O - R
Hey Guys,

Just watched DB:E for the third time now... the jokes are still funny.

I was a super hater of this movie. Following the bs floating around this movie for the last 6 years had me looking at 'The Returner' as a work of art...

Glad I was wrong.

Briefly, If you ever liked any of the orignal Z Anime Movies; Tree of Might, Deadzone, World's Strongest... This is a flick you will like, maybe love.

It's an 'alternate reality' ala the anime movies.
The primary cast brings the characters to life. Bulma is Bulma, Roshi is Roshi and Goku is so definitely Goku.
The effects are on par to those from Speed Racer, just toned down for drug free viewing.

It's fun. Not flashy or cheesy, Fun. If you're gonna have a hang up on the fact that Piccolo doesn't have antennae or Goku's hair isn't half a meter tall... You'll ruin a fun beginning to what could be a great franchise.

Final Note- I saw the China Edit, which has a runtime about 20 minutes shorter than the american release. I hope those 20 minutes don't make me a liar...

For those that want --Spoilers--

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umm, you already know the just of Dragonball, nothing is that different. Piccolo wants to destroy the world. In order to do so, he needs to collect the dragonballs before the super rare eclipse in 2 weeks needed to unleash his demon henchman. Piccolo fights Grampa Gohan for his DB, but finds that it is missing because Goku took it to show Chi-chi at a party [cool fight sequence]. Back at what used to be home, Goku runs into Bulma looking for the DBs. They team up to find the balls together to fulfill Gohan's dying request. They meet/fight Roshi, ditto for Yamcha. Well written romances blossom between the characters. When the balls are finally brought together by Piccolo's people, the eclipse occurs and the Demon Ozi-something [sounds like Dezaurus] emerges to destroy the planet. Goku, after taking care of the demon, faces off against Piccolo for the save. Shenron appears, a wish is made, yadda yadda yadda the end.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:13 pm
by Shadowman
Okay, really, though. I didn't know the movie was already out in Asia. So imagine my first thought on seeing the title.

Good to hear it's a good movie, though. I really wanted to see it even when everyone else was busy hating it.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:45 pm
by Serpent O - R
Shadowman wrote:Okay, really, though. I didn't know the movie was already out in Asia. So imagine my first thought on seeing the title.

Good to hear it's a good movie, though. I really wanted to see it even when everyone else was busy hating it.


Yeah, this past weekend.

I'm excited to see it on a big screen, though.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:40 am
by Coughler
Im looking forward to it. Was it left open for a sequel?

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:09 am
by Venomous Prime
I'm more then likely going to see it.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:06 pm
by Shadowman
Serpent O - R wrote:Demon Ozi-something [sounds like Dezaurus]


The word you're looking for is Ozaru.

I found it on a Japanese version of YouTube, and since it's a version of YouTube, the audio and video are pretty bad. Still,
the movie is great. Really great. People were complaining that they changed too much, but really they changed very little, and what was change was acceptable. They also hint at Goku being a Saiyan, and by hint, I mean they explain it without actually saying the word Saiyan. Piccolo even saying Goku was meant to live among humans, and then destroy them.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:04 pm
by Venomous Prime
Now I want to see it more...thanks guys :lol:

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:58 pm
by First-Aid
Just got back from seeing the movie and LOVED IT! It was campy, funny, high energy enjoyment! The full cast includes Chichi and Yamcha in addition to Goku, Bulma, Roshe, and Piccolo. Some notes:

YES there is a dragon!
Capsule Corp is mentioned...
Chichi is a fighter
There is a martial arts tournament mentioned
There IS a kamehameha...
The fights are great
Goku TRANSFORMS...
Some backstory for Goku is given...including his arrival on Earth in a "meteor"...Piccolo is familiar with his race, though no name of the race is mentioned (sequel?)
It was obviously left open for a sequel
Bulma has a bright blue streak in her hair
Roshe is a dirty old man..

They did a great job transferring the anime to the movie. Very enjoyable, left with a big smile. Gonna see it again tomorrow with my wife who I have hooked on the cartoon. I have faith that this movie will do well enough worldwide (especially in Japan) to warrant a sequel.

In short, GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:45 pm
by Halo
I saw it, and I must say I thought it was made of fail. I thought the storyline had a lot of holes, and jumped around way too much; the actors, while good actors, just don't work well with this movie; the visuals were just "Eh", and easily forgettable.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:06 am
by Tristar
I watched it last night and on a scale of 1 to 10 I rate it a five. It was missing somethings, one of which was Krillin who had appeared by the time the piccolo arc started in the manga. While in Manga in didn't really play that big of a part (He was dead killed by one of Piccolo's minions.), Also it was missing Oolong the shapeshifting pig. It was compressed alot into a short amount of time. It had the characters it needed though. All and all it was a good movie. It won't suprise anyone when they find out who Oozaru really is.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:50 am
by Cyberstrike
I might check it out when comes to DVD.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:09 am
by Shadowman
Tristar wrote:It was missing somethings, one of which was Krillin who had appeared by the time the piccolo arc started in the manga.


This is an adaptation, so some characters aren't going to show up when they did in other media.

Tristar wrote:Also it was missing Oolong the shapeshifting pig.


And that was a good thing. Talking animals don't help action flicks.

Tristar wrote:It was compressed alot into a short amount of time. It had the characters it needed though.


Well, they combined the first and last arcs, which were really the most important. And just a little bit of DBZ's first arc thrown in for a sequel.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:35 pm
by First-Aid
I have to say I was glad Oolong wasn't there. Can't stand that character...really doesn't do a lot for plot. I believe that very few if any of the non-humanoid characters will be in subsequent movies (and there will be more, even if they are straight to DVD). Again, that's good. They did little for the plot...they just kind of grunted or were perverts.

Anyways, did anyone else think that chick playing Chichi was ridiculously hot?

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:37 pm
by Tough Scorponok
Aleast no talking turtle in it. I hate Oolong and that Turtle. OLD pervert like Roshi, thats kinda understandable, when you overdose on Viagra. Lmao.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:07 pm
by First-Aid
Just took my wife to see the movie and she LOVED it! It took me all of 5 seconds to convince her to buy it on Blu-Ray when it comes out. My second time seeing it...and I took as much time as I could to stare at Chichi...:-D Finally figured out where I knew her from too...she was in C and C: Red Alert 3 (which is a great game, BTW).

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:52 pm
by Skice
I just saw it and I give it a solid B. The beginning with all of the high school stuff sucked. One it got away from that it was actually a decent film. I can't wait to see the sequel. Oh and for those of you who saw the Asian cut online, that was missing like a 3rd of the actual movie. It actually cut out a lot of stuff and made it a bit confusing at times. Oh and Joon park was awesome as Yamcha!

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:28 pm
by Shadowman
Skice wrote:I just saw it and I give it a solid B. The beginning with all of the high school stuff sucked. One it got away from that it was actually a decent film.


I haven't seen the version in theaters; I loved the fight Goku had with the bullies in the Asian cut, though.

Skice wrote:Oh and Joon park was awesome as Yamcha!


I almost thought that was Christopher Sabat playing him.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:43 am
by Coughler
I have have too much on my plate for the long weekend to see it till next week at some point. Im dying to know how much money its going to make. Would love it if it Beat Fast And Furious

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:20 am
by First-Aid
Coughler wrote:I have have too much on my plate for the long weekend to see it till next week at some point. Im dying to know how much money its going to make. Would love it if it Beat Fast And Furious


That WOULD be awesome...and I think it would surprise a lot of folks in Hollywood. We all know that (unfortunately) Hannah Montana will probably be in first just on name value. But Hollywood, for God's sake, PLEASE end the FATF franchise...they're just unbelievably domb movies; they HAVE to be if they make Vin Diesel look smart...

ANd once again, here's hoping for a DB sequel...enter Crillin and the Saiyans....and more of Chichi..:-D

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 4:22 pm
by It Is Him
It makes me glad most everyone is enjoying the movie. Maybe I'll catch a showing this week.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:45 pm
by Senor Hugo
Watched it through the usual channels this morning. The audio was off and the video quality sucked, so I grabbed a friend and we went to go see it in theaters.

It was what a Dragonball movie should be. So cheesy it's awesome, just like the show.

Bottom line, it's worth the $7, it's fun.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:07 pm
by Evil_the_Nub
I was going to see it last week, but it's spring break and seeing it in a theater full of kids would be like flushing my money down the toilet. I'll catch it sometime this week for sure though.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:03 pm
by Chaoslock
Just saw it. It was... weird. From one point, a lot of the stuff in the movie is for the fans and those who watched the series, on the other hand a lot of stuff was changed not for the good.
- Goku: weird, just weird... He was better as a more innocent (and a bit stupid) character, not somebody who shouts revenge. And I don't remember the dragonballs had palantir-like abilities.
- the monkey form: :BANG_HEAD:
- Chichi: No comment. A cameo from his father would have been welcomed, but nooo....
- I remember Bulma was a bit weapon maniac in the start, but I don't remember she was that much!
- Roshi: I expected far worse, they stayed in-character with the personality - that's good :) (not the looks though)
- Piccolo, Yamcha: They were okay, maybe the best adaptation that could have been made.
- Story: Lots of good possibilities skipped, maybe with an extra 1 hour playtime... the movie was too short (as was Shen Long...).
- Actions: OK, not great, but ok.

Alltogether: 4/10 -the chinese adaptation was better.

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:37 am
by Tristar
Actually I think the asian chick was Piccolo was supposed to be Puar you know the flying Cat thing that hovered around Yamcha in manga and anime. Puar had the same shape changing abilities as Oolong(I not saying he belonged in the movie the only reason I mentioned him was because he missing, didn't like him either....not mentioning his wish....lets just say he might be more pervy than Roshi...) IF that is paur.... =P~

Re: Dragonball Evolution Review

PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:45 am
by Shadowman
Tristar wrote:Actually I think the asian chick was Piccolo was supposed to be Puar you know the flying Cat thing that hovered around Yamcha in manga and anime. Puar had the same shape changing abilities as Oolong(I not saying he belonged in the movie the only reason I mentioned him was because he missing, didn't like him either....not mentioning his wish....lets just say he might be more pervy than Roshi...) IF that is paur.... =P~


It's Mai, the chick who followed Emperor Pilaf around.