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| POSTED Friday , April 10, 2009 07:45:56 PM |
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http://movies.ign.com/art
icles/970/970094p1.html
In this modern, Web-ridden era of ours, advanced reviews and an endless succession of trailers and marketing ploys have mastered the art of making a bad movie look good or a good movie look better, eliminating that too-rare experience of discovering that a film you initially thought would be crap was actually quite the opposite. So count me surprised at the degree to which I enjoyed Dragonball: Evolution.
Right off the bat, hardcore fans will undoubtedly find things to pick apart with the adaptation, arguing that there's simply no way the movie could match the original anime. And you're right. It doesn't. And, really, what live-action movie ever could? The visual style, pacing, characters and storytelling are so unique to the animated series that any kind of slavish re-interpretation of them would almost certainly fail. This is the very same reason that Speed Racer never fired effectively on all cylinders, despite bravely attempting an inventive new approach. That said, Dragonball: Evolution is perhaps the most successful live-action film to date to utilize costume, production and audio design not to mention some inspired fight choreography to provide the flavor of anime without becoming overly cartoonish. It absolutely feels within the spirit of the presentation without attempting to be so overly loyal as to fall flat on its face.
Secondly, this is an origin story and it does a relatively good job of establishing a world and setting up the rules. The story is simple: Goku and his friends Bulma, Yamacha and Master Roshi must reunite the seven sacred Dragonballs before the evil Lord Piccolo can collect them and destroy the world. No doubt, the film takes its liberties, and it'll depend entirely upon your level of sensitivity whether you're OK with them. For example, the world in which the movie takes place is much more Westernized a cross-cultural melting-pot, practically conceived, one imagines, to make the movie more marketable. But the mythology itself, as well as some of the set design and plot elements, never make the film feel too far away from its Eastern roots.
Click on the image above to watch our video review for Dragonball: Evolution.
The problem with most of those movies is simply that nobody takes them seriously. At best, they're cash-cows for videogame tie-in's and product placement, created as an excuse to display some flashy fight choreography and set design, but never sufficiently funded to feel anything other than cheap. Nobody ever pays attention to the story, let alone the level of performance. But with Dragonball, the fan base is simply too large, the phenomenon too massive, to try and sneak by some half-hearted cinematic effort.
And aside from the obvious, though certainly not grand, budget, what makes Dragonball at least half-way entertaining is the cast. Justin Chatwin is immensely likeable in this role, and while Goku's journey is absolutely nothing we haven't seen before save the world, protect your friends and avenge the death of your master he and the rest of the cast do an admirable job at creating characters the audience can actually care about. Chow Yun-Fat captures the whimsical, half-drunken essence of Roshi and Emmy Rossum, despite being something of a departure from the anime's vision of Bulma, brings a lot of kick-ass chick charisma to the role. None of which would matter at all if the script, written by Ben Ramsey, didn't stop the action and pause the special effects to offer a handful of rather effective character beats. Dragonball isn't just about getting to the next set piece of which there are plenty and chooses, instead, to allow its characters moments to be just that characters. And fortunately, with the exception of Yamacha who is arguably the least well-drawn most of the cast rises to the challenge.
Keep in mind that the film is nowhere near perfect. There are a few obvious plot-holes and the occasional eye-rolling, too-convenient coincidence. Lord Piccolo simply isn't given enough to do to make him appear extremely menacing, and his make-up looks as if it had been pulled straight from the storage closet of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Will people find reasons to hate Dragonball? Absolutely. And will others find reasons to enjoy it? You bet. But we suspect that the younger, less discriminating fans in the audience will like it well enough and that their parents just might, surprisingly, have a good time as well. The older, more set-in-their-ways crowd will undoubtedly pick it apart, but at the very least, we here at IGN think there's something to enjoy, if not necessarily love, about Dragonball: Evolution.
The Omnipotent Moderator and resident Demon Slayer.
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| REPLIED Friday , April 10, 2009 08:35:32 PM |
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| REPLIED Friday , April 10, 2009 09:36:08 PM |
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| REPLIED Friday , April 10, 2009 10:39:08 PM |
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| REPLIED Friday , April 10, 2009 10:56:45 PM |
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What the review says is that if you're a die-hard dragonball fan then, you're going to hate this movie no matter what, because it doesn't follow YOUR version of the movie that you've all had planned out in your head for years and years. If your like him, however, and just walk in open-minded, and leave your judgements at the door, and aren't so darn sensitive to changes, then you'll actually enjoy the movie. So, you all are going to hate this movie, just like so many were destined to hate the new Indiana Jones movie. You've been waiting for it for so long that you have your own perfect version of it built up in your mind, a version so perfect that nothing, no matter how faithful, could live up to it.
Now, I haven't seen the movie, I have no idea if it's something that I'll end up enjoying , but I've read a lot of reviews that echo exactly what IGN's review says.
But hey, that's just my two cents.
They call 'em fingers, but I've never seen 'em fing.....................
Oh, there they go
-otto, the simpsons
"And now for our final twist....I'm actually three ducks in a man suit...." Robot Chicken
"I would imagine if you understood Morse code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy" -Mitch Hedberg R.I.P.
z-fighter
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 09:06:52 AM |
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drwcomics said:
What the review says is that if you're a die-hard dragonball fan then, you're going to hate this movie no matter what, because it doesn't follow YOUR version of the movie that you've all had planned out in your head for years and years. If your like him, however, and just walk in open-minded, and leave your judgements at the door, and aren't so darn sensitive to changes, then you'll actually enjoy the movie. So, you all are going to hate this movie, just like so many were destined to hate the new Indiana Jones movie. You've been waiting for it for so long that you have your own perfect version of it built up in your mind, a version so perfect that nothing, no matter how faithful, could live up to it.
Now, I haven't seen the movie, I have no idea if it's something that I'll end up enjoying , but I've read a lot of reviews that echo exactly what IGN's review says.
But hey, that's just my two cents.
I know what he's saying, but this film (as a film in general) was so bad it makes Uwe Boll films look good.
A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves." - Edward R. Murrow
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do." - Everett Hale
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 09:38:46 AM |
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 11:22:34 AM |
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Yeah, I cant' stand people who treat their opinions as fact either, and judge others who don't share that opinion, but hey, it's the internet, yelling at someone who disagrees with you is, sadly, commonplace here.
And Emi, I highly doubt that it's worse than an uwe boll "movie", I DO however understand that you, personally absolutely hated it, just as you would have no matter what. That being said, I still haven't seen this movie, I do however want to give it a fair shot.
They call 'em fingers, but I've never seen 'em fing.....................
Oh, there they go
-otto, the simpsons
"And now for our final twist....I'm actually three ducks in a man suit...." Robot Chicken
"I would imagine if you understood Morse code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy" -Mitch Hedberg R.I.P.
z-fighter
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 01:35:32 PM |
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But she is correct, it is a bad film, and not just Dragonball fans are saying it. Critics in general hate the film, only a handful like it, most people who go see it say it was stupid fans and non-fans alike. Sure some people like it, but that's like saying some people liked Batman & Robin for Arnold's riveting performance as Mr. Freeze.
Just read the numbers and you'll see; at Rottentomatoes the Critics percentage is 17%, and even in RT user community it's only got 36%. Those aren't good numbers, and I've seen the film (for free to be honest) and yet I still feel cheated for wasting that much time of my life looking at it, and retaining the horrible memories. Adaption or not, nothing excuses poor acting, poor effects, and poor, disjointed, story structure.
Rotten Tomatoes: Dragonball
"At last, we shall have our revenge". Darth Maul
Z-Warrior
Best quote from Red Vs Blue:
Doc: I'm a pacifist.
Caboose: Your a thing that babies suck on....
Tucker: No dude, you mean a pedophile.
Church: Tucker, I think he means a pacifier.
Tucker: Oh...yeah....right....man my mind was totally somewhere else.
Church:.....that's real classy Tucker..... |
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 01:45:12 PM |
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 02:05:46 PM |
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And here's the IGN review from the UK edition...
http://uk.movies.ign.com/
articles/969/969881p1.htm
l
Dragonball Evolution UK Review
A cynical and charmless attempt to cash in on one of the most beloved anime franchises of all time.
by Orlando Parfitt, IGN UK
UK, April 6, 2009 - Dragonball Evolution has finally screened, and IGN is sad to report that our worse fears about this ill-fated project have come true.
The main reasons the various Dragonball franchises have so successfully endeared themselves into the hearts of millions of fans is the series' unique mix of characterization, humour, madcap energy and kinetic fight sequences. These attributes seem to have been lost however as the project passed through Hollywood.
The Dragonball mythology is dispensed with in a an extremely quick pre-credit sequence, and before long we are plunged into the main story, with Justin Chatwin's Goku being trained by his sparkly-eyed granddad Gohan. He is given a strange orb called a 'Dragonball' for his 18th birthday, and told that only seven of the balls exist and when they are united a dragon is summoned which will grant any wish to the one who possesses them.
Later that day a tragedy changes Goku's life forever, and sends him on a quest to find the magic orbs before the evil alien Lord Piccolo (James Marsters), who intends to use their unlimited power to destroy the world. On his travels Goku is helped by the feisty Bulma Briefs (Emmy Rossum), thief with a heart of gold Yamacha (Joon Park) and Chow Yun-fat's slightly-sleazy master Roshi.
As the spiky-haired hero, Justin Chatwin is a likeable and understated presence at the heart of the movie, but it's still the case that his casting has to come to represent the bland Americanisation of Dragonball. Despite the wealth of Asian talent thrown in the mix, this is still very much a Hollywood interpretation of the franchise that spectacularly fails to replicate what made the original series popular.
The biggest problem, by far, is the terrible, terrible script. The straightforward plot - 'find the Dragonballs' - gives scope for an epic, Star Wars-style fairy-tale, but at only 84 minutes, this is 'Dragonball lite', a story that skims along the surface of the mythology, the plot, and the characters.
From a basic filmmaking perspective, Evolution is botched. Storylines are rushed - Master Roshi's desire to train Goku for his battle with Piccolo is dispensed with in a couple of scenes, for example. The confusing and illogical narrative is relentlessly pushed forward without ever building tension or drama. We are never given time to get to know or like the characters, or understand their relationships. You never truly fear or care that James Marsters' villainous Piccolo is trying to destroy the world, because he is only given six minutes screen time.
The ridiculously frenetic, outlandish action of the source material has also been updated to by-numbers wire-work kung fu that we've seen thousands of times since The Matrix. Imagine a live-action incarnation of the Dragonball anime's violence (if such a thing were possible) - it would be mind blowing, but studio 20th Century Fox didn't have the ambition to try and replicate it here.
How we wish producer Stephen Chow (who did amazing chopsocky work on the likes of Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle) had either directed the film (instead of Final: Destination James Wong), or at least been able to transport some of his talent and personality into this production. His contribution is anonymous.
Dragonball Evolution is a charmless, somewhat cynical attempt to cash in on one of the most beloved anime franchises of all time. The film will disgust die-hard fans, and just baffle those unfamiliar with the source. Whilst the movie may have some appeal to very young viewers, this movie should be avoided if you're over the age of 10.
BTW....The SuperHeroHype poll is so lopsided right now...
0 of 10 stars = 42.6%?? Out of 1140 votes?? And in the second spot is 1 of 10 stars = 10.9%. Has this ever happened on anything besides a Uwe Boll film??
A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves." - Edward R. Murrow
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do." - Everett Hale
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 02:16:05 PM |
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 02:44:08 PM |
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 02:56:49 PM |
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Maverick Hunter said:
But she is correct, it is a bad film, and not just Dragonball fans are saying it. Critics in general hate the film, only a handful like it, most people who go see it say it was stupid fans and non-fans alike. Sure some people like it, but that's like saying some people liked Batman & Robin for Arnold's riveting performance as Mr. Freeze.
Just read the numbers and you'll see; at Rottentomatoes the Critics percentage is 17%, and even in RT user community it's only got 36%. Those aren't good numbers, and I've seen the film (for free to be honest) and yet I still feel cheated for wasting that much time of my life looking at it, and retaining the horrible memories. Adaption or not, nothing excuses poor acting, poor effects, and poor, disjointed, story structure.
Rotten Tomatoes: Dragonball
I don't care how many critics hate it, I don't care what the Rotten Tomatoes score is, it doesn't change the fact that an opinion is just that: An opinion, and no matter how many rants you and emi types about how much the film "sucks" it doesn't change the fact that this is merely your opinion, and that won't change reality, and the reality is that there will be some people who utterly disagree with absolutely everything that you say, every single time you say something.
And emi, please, enough of the rants about how people's opinions are "loads of crap", it's one thing to state your dislike of a film, but to insult anyone who disagrees with you is a very blatant show of insecurity. I mean, I've disliked the one Uwe Boll film I've had the misfortune of wasting my time on, but if there's someone out there who genuinely enjoyed one of his films, then I have absolutely no problem with that; more power too them.
They call 'em fingers, but I've never seen 'em fing.....................
Oh, there they go
-otto, the simpsons
"And now for our final twist....I'm actually three ducks in a man suit...." Robot Chicken
"I would imagine if you understood Morse code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy" -Mitch Hedberg R.I.P.
z-fighter
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 03:16:03 PM |
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drwcomics said:
And emi, please, enough of the rants about how people's opinions are "loads of crap", it's one thing to state your dislike of a film, but to insult anyone who disagrees with you is a very blatant show of insecurity. I mean, I've disliked the one Uwe Boll film I've had the misfortune of wasting my time on, but if there's someone out there who genuinely enjoyed one of his films, then I have absolutely no problem with that; more power too them.
What the hell are you talking about?? What "rants" have you read that I keep saying people's opinions are crap?? Seriously, I want examples because all I've done is point out legitimate reasons of how bad the film is and given comparisons so people understand better.
A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves." - Edward R. Murrow
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do." - Everett Hale
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| REPLIED Saturday, April 11, 2009 07:20:55 PM |
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drwcomics said:
Maverick Hunter said:
But she is correct, it is a bad film, and not just Dragonball fans are saying it. Critics in general hate the film, only a handful like it, most people who go see it say it was stupid fans and non-fans alike. Sure some people like it, but that's like saying some people liked Batman & Robin for Arnold's riveting performance as Mr. Freeze.
Just read the numbers and you'll see; at Rottentomatoes the Critics percentage is 17%, and even in RT user community it's only got 36%. Those aren't good numbers, and I've seen the film (for free to be honest) and yet I still feel cheated for wasting that much time of my life looking at it, and retaining the horrible memories. Adaption or not, nothing excuses poor acting, poor effects, and poor, disjointed, story structure.
Rotten Tomatoes: Dragonball
I don't care how many critics hate it, I don't care what the Rotten Tomatoes score is, it doesn't change the fact that an opinion is just that: An opinion, and no matter how many rants you and emi types about how much the film "sucks" it doesn't change the fact that this is merely your opinion, and that won't change reality, and the reality is that there will be some people who utterly disagree with absolutely everything that you say, every single time you say something.
I was merely pointing out that the claims that most reviews were positive for this film are false, when most people critics and community alike hate the film. Whether you like it or not is your opinion and I never said anything bad about anyone who does. In fact as I stated some people will like this film, but it will be the minority much like Batman & Robin the fourth film in the Batman series.
Some people like that film as well, but the majority of people dislike the film. Besides, I thought that was the point of these forums? If I'm upset about a company, in my OPINION, destroying a franchise I hold much love for it is my right to state the very reasons I dislike it. I merely point out that the numbers are supporting my claim that the majority dislike it, which is what I said all along, in and out of Rotten Tomatoes.
"At last, we shall have our revenge". Darth Maul
Z-Warrior
Best quote from Red Vs Blue:
Doc: I'm a pacifist.
Caboose: Your a thing that babies suck on....
Tucker: No dude, you mean a pedophile.
Church: Tucker, I think he means a pacifier.
Tucker: Oh...yeah....right....man my mind was totally somewhere else.
Church:.....that's real classy Tucker..... |
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| REPLIED Sunday , April 12, 2009 02:37:37 PM |
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| I'm not speaking about you really, you can voice your opinion, that IS the entire point of these forums, but some of the people who post on these forums seemed to forgotten that, as they're attacking anyone who has a different opinion than them, and I can't STAND that, if someone wants to be enthusiastic about a movie, then how is that wrong? Are some people really THAT insecure about their own opinion that they have to bash anyone else who feels differntly? Seriously, I can't stand some of the people on here who go around calling other people's opinions a "load of crap", it's ridiculous, and what makes it worse, is it's grown adults doing this.
They call 'em fingers, but I've never seen 'em fing.....................
Oh, there they go
-otto, the simpsons
"And now for our final twist....I'm actually three ducks in a man suit...." Robot Chicken
"I would imagine if you understood Morse code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy" -Mitch Hedberg R.I.P.
z-fighter
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