I'm a British stay-at-home Dad with more opinions than the next guy. Seriously.
I'm a British stay-at-home Dad with more opinions than the next guy. Seriously.
Member since:01.09.2009
Reviews:10
Members who trust:1
Dragonball Evolution!!!
Being based loosely on Akira Toriyama's manga "Dragonball" means that people reading this review will fall into three categories; Die-hard fans of the manga, people who have seen the trailer for the film and want to know more, and of course those who stumble across it wondering what on earth a Dragonball is.
Allow me to bring you down to Toriyama's level; Dragonball Evolution represents the Dragonballs faithfully. As can be seen on the DVD cover a Dragon ball is an orange-sized orange-coloured magic ball with a number of stars (from 1-7) on the side. When the seven balls are brought together the dragon Shenlong can be called forth to grant the caller one "perfect wish".
Still with me? Good, because you're the only one who is. If you aren't a fan of the manga then chances are you know somebody who is and as such have heard that this film is bad/unfaithful/made-peoples-eyes-bleed. I would agree whole-heartedly if it weren't for the fact that the little boy inside of me was giggling throughout the entire film. I am forever banned from the Dragonball fan-club for even trying to write good things but the truth is there, this film was hilariously good fun!
It's at this point that I would usually tell a little of the story, but to be honest the script was so light I can sum it up in one sentence. Son Goku (the 18 year old with spiky hair) needs to beat Piccolo (an alien who escaped his "prison") to finding the Dragonballs or the world is doomed. That is seriously it, eighty minutes of film summed up in eight seconds, sorry James Wong! But once again I feel myself slipping forward to console the poor film. You'll probably hear that the action is unbelievable and the actors un-trained and of course it's all correct, I'm not trying to say that the film is perfect, I'm not even trying to say that anything you have heard is anything but the full and total truth. All I can compare it to is being six years old and seeing a monster truck for the very first time, 'If I was driving that I could blow up everything!' Dragonball Evolution releases that same aching, the same 'Daddy can I have one?' mentality, as you can't help but twitch and dip your head and weave and damn that was close!
I feel incredibly disappointed with the fans of Toriyama's manga for not being able to see their favourite universe portrayed in a different light, in an interview about the film Toriyama himself commented that Dragonball Evolution was different but he hoped the fans could still love it. Well I for one did love it, with it's terribly unbelievable fight scenes and hopelessly light story, it's the ugly dog at the animal sanctuary that nobody wants, with it's stubby tail and squashed face, but that if given a chance would still chase after the stick you pretended to throw.
In conclusion the film is light with laughable fight scenes and fantasy with a capital F, watch it with your kids to see them kung fu themselves silly for the rest of the day and then look deep inside yourself to find your inner child doing exactly the same! I give this film a damn good 4/5 "Stars" whether fan-boys hate me or not!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Adapted from the manga created by Akira Toriyama Dragonball tells the story of a young ... more
boy named Goku - played by Justin Chatwin. Upon his grandfather's dying request Goku seeks out to find the great Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat) and gather all seven Dr...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Great action, some great comedy and sticks with some of the original storyline Disadvantages: Alright-ish acting, too short, and bad director.
Advantages: Great action, some great comedy and sticks with some of the original storyline Disadvantages: Alright-ish acting, too short, and bad director.
very helpful by (100%):
