Today’s quick review: Dragonball: Evolution. When the alien conquerer Lord Piccolo (James Marsters) returns after two thousand years of imprisonment, Goku (Justin Chatwin), a teenager given special martial arts training by his grandfather, must collect the seven mystic Dragonballs to stop Piccolo from freeing his minion Oozaru and destroying the Earth. His guide on his quest is Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat), an eccentric expert who trains Goku to harness his qi.
Dragonball: Evolution is a fantasy action adventure movie loosely based on the Dragonball manga and cartoon. The popular series makes a rocky transition to the big screen in a movie hampered by poor acting, an awkward script, and mediocre fight scenes. Dragonball: Evolution follows a dedicated kids’ movie formula, but it lacks the quality needed to hit even that target. What little charm is to be found is buried too deeply to make much of a difference.
Dragonball: Evolution’s troubles begin with its writing. The plot is straightforward enough, but not without holes. Lord Piccolo’s escape and return are never properly explained, the exact mechanics of his plan are unclear, and new characters join the story abruptly and without much reason. The dialogue is uninspired, verging on awkward at several key moments. The writing also has a knack for robbing pivotal events of their impact.
The acting is little better. Chow Yun-Fat has a glimmer of potential as the mischievous Master Roshi, but little of value is done with the character. Justin Chatwin makes for a disappointing Goku, a dorky teenager with modest fighting abilities and an unconvincing character arc. Lord Piccolo and his henchman Mai (Eriko) are almost entirely without character, while supporting cast members Bulma (Emmy Rossum) and Yamcha (Joon Park) are quirky but not entertaining.
Dragonball: Evolution shows a little more potential with its fighting. The acrobatic, martial arts combat could have been the basis of innovative action scenes in the right hands, but again the movie fails to deliver. Quick cuts are used to mask the choreography’s weaknesses, the physics are unconvincing in away that goes beyond the usual strangenss of wire fu, and the energy attacks, when they come, are flat and unimpressive.
Watch Dragonball: Evolution only if you are interested in failed adaptations. Though not entirely irredeemable as a kids’ movie, Dragonball: Evolution has enough glaring flaws to keep it from impressing any but the most forgiving fans. For a similarly flawed adaptation of a beloved cartoon, check out The Last Airbender. For a more mature flop with an oddly similar plot, check out Dragon Wars: D-War.
2.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 4.0 for a poor setup and worse delivery.