Review of Dragonball Evolution (2009) by Christopher J — 15 Oct 2012

Before I popped the movie into the DVD player, I made a vow to try to not compare ANYTHING in this movie to my beloved DB/DBZ anime show. I will admit...I did slip off the path a lot, but I think I tried my hardest to give this movie a chance with an empty brain. I'm proud of myself.

Okay...one of the biggest complaints that I've heard and read about was that Goku was played by a white boy. The fact that he was white didn't bug me. The thing that bugged me was that he only made due as Goku. He wasn't great, he wasn't horrid. I felt like he was just there. Maybe he should have played Krillin (har har). He didn't play Goku the way he was meant to be played.

Another complaint floating around is the fact that they have Goku in High School. When comparing between the anime to this, yes, I was very flabbergasted and mad! However, when not comparing, I felt like it was an interesting twist to the story. I felt like it added to the story. Personally, though, if I was screenwriting I would have avoided that story cliche and stuck more to the original story. It was a nice attempt, but it fell flat.

Not only did the High School bit fall flat but I felt like the dialogue and a lot of the acting died on camera too. I will give credit to those who played Bulma, Master Roshi, Piccolo, and Chi Chi, they were pretty good. However...the others...no. I'm not sure if it was the acting or just the dialogue writing or both. It just didn't work.

I really liked the special effects and the costumes. I thought the special effects were pretty cool and I felt like they were real. Like the Dragon; he was the coolest thing! I also liked the costumes, which embodied what were drawn in the anime. I especially liked Bulma's outfits and hairstyle. I wish I could get those in my size and prance around in them when I go out and about. Maybe I'll be Bulma for Halloween! ^.^.

Yes, I will admit that this was a "shining piece of [poop]", buuuut I was entertained. It was like a car accident. I couldn't help but watch every single minute of it. I even put it on pause when I went to get another drink and another handful of m&ms. I would tell other DB/DBZ fans to avoid this unless they were like me and tried to avoid comparing the original with this. Come into this movie with an open-mind and you'll be entertained. You'll be highly disappointed, but entertained. Out of five stars, I have no choice but to give this 2 stars. Okay...I confess...I want the sequel to come out so I can see Vegeta and Trunks. Haha. I'm pathetic, I know.

Favorite Character(s): Bulma and Master Roshi (he cracked me up).

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Goku.