Dragonball Evolution reviews

by Liam on March 17, 2009 · 123 comments

dragonball evolution reviews Dragonball Evolution has already been released in some parts of the world such as China and Japan. As a result reviews have been pouring online…and it doesn’t look good (although that was expected).

Anime News Network gave it an F:

In the end, it all boils down to one thing: this movie appeals to nobody. It was made for no one. People who aren’t familiar with the Dragon Ball story at all will be so flabbergasted by what’s happening that they will likely tell everyone they know that it’s one of the worst movies they’ve ever seen. Fans who do know what the general story is will be furious at just how unbelievably badly they screwed this entire thing up. Kids are used to better writing than this in their weekday afternoon cartoons (although you may run into a kid who has never actually seen a movie before, and they might dig it until you show them another movie). It’s a clunky, tiresome, badly executed, horribly written pile of shame that deserves no quarter.

Nuke the Fridge

This film was easy to sit through, but not worth the price of admission. The plot is almost nonexistent and pasted together with visual effects when they needed to fill in gaps where there was nothing to say. The scope of his film is too small and almost feels like it was more for a direct to DVD release. “Dragonball” deserves better and so do you, my advice is to go read the manga.

AICN

Dragon Ball: Evolution is a terrible film for both DB fans and as a standalone film. It’s not unwatchable, but it’s definitely in the same league as Street Fighter circa JCVD which means you’ll want to gather your friends and have a great laugh together.

A Nutshell

This is basically a movie that only children below the age of 5 will enjoy tremendously, despite having to see 6 half-balls, contributed courtesy of the 3 lead female characters, being continuously flashed on screen, thanks to some neck plunging wardrobe (where’s that malfunction when you need one?) Totally bland and really uninteresting, I would suggest sticking to the manga instead.

These are all negative and so far I haven’t been able to find a positive one to counter all of the bad buzz.

Thanks to movieboy1 for the links.

← Older Comments
  • bigdbzfan

    There is a movie called Kung Fu Hustle this has nothing too do with the story BUT the fighting sceen's in it are something you want in DB, the woman in it is just what you would want as Chi chi ( the temper she has) and many of those kinda movie's will give beter idea's of what too start with.I think the movie maker's sud think of WHY DBZ has so many fan and look at that , even beter they sud watch all the EP of DB, DBZ , DBZgt befor making a nother 1.becuase it not the Charcter's that make the movie it the story that get the Eye thought film maker knew that by now .Onlt thing they got right is how that dragonball look like and what they can do and how you can find them

  • bigdbzfan

    There is a movie called Kung Fu Hustle this has nothing too do with the story BUT the fighting sceen's in it are something you want in DB, the woman in it is just what you would want as Chi chi ( the temper she has) and many of those kinda movie's will give beter idea's of what too start with.I think the movie maker's sud think of WHY DBZ has so many fan and look at that , even beter they sud watch all the EP of DB, DBZ , DBZgt befor making a nother 1.becuase it not the Charcter's that make the movie it the story that get the Eye thought film maker knew that by now .Onlt thing they got right is how that dragonball look like and what they can do and how you can find them

  • dianna

    dam shit how many comments are there lol well anyways even if the movie sucks im still gonna watch heck ill even buy it when its on dvd

  • dianna

    dam shit how many comments are there lol well anyways even if the movie sucks im still gonna watch heck ill even buy it when its on dvd

  • Anna

    I could tell even from the trailors that it was gunna suck! They got the charactors all wrong they messed it up so bad it was so dissapointing!!! I love dragon ball z and they messed it up i almost wanted to cry!!

  • Anna

    I could tell even from the trailors that it was gunna suck! They got the charactors all wrong they messed it up so bad it was so dissapointing!!! I love dragon ball z and they messed it up i almost wanted to cry!!

  • Luke

    Look at the bright side. In 20 year or so someone may do a remake and learn from these guys mistakes. We can always look forward to the cowboy bebop movie.

  • Luke

    Look at the bright side. In 20 year or so someone may do a remake and learn from these guys mistakes. We can always look forward to the cowboy bebop movie.

  • Leo

    well man, it's not hollywood if they can't fu**ed up a good anime or game like this. Care to make a list? lol

  • Leo

    well man, it's not hollywood if they can't fu**ed up a good anime or game like this. Care to make a list? lol

  • Solo

    havent seen the movie yet and ent lookin forward to it because i knew it woukdnt stay true to the Anime series (which is incredible) an oozaru is the ape which saiyans transform into

  • Solo

    havent seen the movie yet and ent lookin forward to it because i knew it woukdnt stay true to the Anime series (which is incredible) an oozaru is the ape which saiyans transform into

  • woofe

    I know that lmao, oo means big in japanese, and of course zaru (or saru) is a monkey.

    It was a sarcasm ;)

    • Solo

      ok dont i feel silly lol is there anything u thought was good about the film, anything at all that stayed true to the anime? PLEASE SAY THERE IS ATLEAST SOMETHING?!

      • woofe

        I'm so sorry to disappoint you, but, there is nothing.. NOTHING AT ALL. even Shen long look pretty stupid haha :P

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/woofe_2nd_acc woofe_2nd_acc

      Oh and don't put your hopes high, to you it might be incredible that the movie doesn't stay true to the Anime series, but this one is more than that. It felt like it wasn't Dragon ball AT ALL! They just borrowed the names.

      Goku wasn't Goku at all, and it's not because he's white (I don't care whether he's asian or not, Goku is a saiyan not a human to begin with haha), the whole personality was different. How were the fans supposed to enjoy the movie when we can't even believe that person should be Goku.

      I f*cking hate James Wong for being so arrogant at the interviews when he said "What's the point of sticking to the original plot"

      Well, IT IS THE WHOLE POINT :)

  • woofe

    I know that lmao, oo means big in japanese, and of course zaru (or saru) is a monkey.

    It was a sarcasm ;)

    • Solo

      ok dont i feel silly lol is there anything u thought was good about the film, anything at all that stayed true to the anime? PLEASE SAY THERE IS ATLEAST SOMETHING?!

      • woofe

        I'm so sorry to disappoint you, but, there is nothing.. NOTHING AT ALL. even Shen long look pretty stupid haha :P

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/woofe_2nd_acc woofe_2nd_acc

      Oh and don't put your hopes high, to you it might be incredible that the movie doesn't stay true to the Anime series, but this one is more than that. It felt like it wasn't Dragon ball AT ALL! They just borrowed the names.

      Goku wasn't Goku at all, and it's not because he's white (I don't care whether he's asian or not, Goku is a saiyan not a human to begin with haha), the whole personality was different. How were the fans supposed to enjoy the movie when we can't even believe that person should be Goku.

      I f*cking hate James Wong for being so arrogant at the interviews when he said "What's the point of sticking to the original plot"

      Well, IT IS THE WHOLE POINT :)

  • Solo

    no i was sayin the anime was incredible, not the film, im not looking forward to seein it because i knew it wouldnt stay true to the anime, also i agree with other comments i read about an in depth trilogy (and of course sacking evolution) sort of the way the pirates of the carribean was done only with DBZ. Perhaps taking more of a 300 style approach, might bring some of the anime magic to a live film… …Ahh Dreams Lol!

  • Solo

    no i was sayin the anime was incredible, not the film, im not looking forward to seein it because i knew it wouldnt stay true to the anime, also i agree with other comments i read about an in depth trilogy (and of course sacking evolution) sort of the way the pirates of the carribean was done only with DBZ. Perhaps taking more of a 300 style approach, might bring some of the anime magic to a live film… …Ahh Dreams Lol!

  • tom

    The plot,the flow, the script writing, acting skills, the cg, the fighting scenes, goku, master roshi,chi2, bulma, yamcha, picollo,the oozaru, The budokai tournament, the dragon are all…. f?*”ed up!

  • tom

    The plot,the flow, the script writing, acting skills, the cg, the fighting scenes, goku, master roshi,chi2, bulma, yamcha, picollo,the oozaru, The budokai tournament, the dragon are all…. f?*”ed up!

  • tom

    In this movie, The plot,the flow, the script writing, acting skills, the cg, the fighting scenes, goku, master roshi,chi2, bulma, yamcha, picollo,the oozaru, The budokai tournament, the dragon are all…. f?*”ed up! Now I know why the creator didn’t want 2 be involved in this movie

  • tom

    In this movie, The plot,the flow, the script writing, acting skills, the cg, the fighting scenes, goku, master roshi,chi2, bulma, yamcha, picollo,the oozaru, The budokai tournament, the dragon are all…. f?*”ed up! Now I know why the creator didn’t want 2 be involved in this movie

  • DBZ Fanz

    Goku, where is your tail???

  • DBZ Fanz

    Goku, where is your tail???

  • tom

    I think james wong should learn how 2 make a movie first

  • tom

    I think james wong should learn how 2 make a movie first

  • Sage91

    Look. The movie might be bad but seriously, there turning over 20 episodes into a 100 minute movie. what did you expect. They did what they could to make the movie make sense in that amount of time. I’v seen every episode of DBZ. Its probobly the coolest thing ive ever seen. Just be happy there bringin something back into the spotlight.

    • woofe

      Haven't you been reading the comments? Yes we do understand that there's no way to turn hundreds of episodes into 100 minutes movie. The thing is, James Wong shouldn't change the big important plots, and the characters, Goku wasn't Goku in this movie. He is totally a different person. So do all the other characters. How do I supposed to enjoy the movie when I can't believe they're the original characters.

      And mind you, there is nothing I repeat NOTHING in this movie stay true to the anime. Even as a stand alone movie, this one FAILS!

  • Sage91

    Look. The movie might be bad but seriously, there turning over 20 episodes into a 100 minute movie. what did you expect. They did what they could to make the movie make sense in that amount of time. I’v seen every episode of DBZ. Its probobly the coolest thing ive ever seen. Just be happy there bringin something back into the spotlight.

    • woofe

      Haven't you been reading the comments? Yes we do understand that there's no way to turn hundreds of episodes into 100 minutes movie. The thing is, James Wong shouldn't change the big important plots, and the characters, Goku wasn't Goku in this movie. He is totally a different person. So do all the other characters. How do I supposed to enjoy the movie when I can't believe they're the original characters.

      And mind you, there is nothing I repeat NOTHING in this movie stay true to the anime. Even as a stand alone movie, this one FAILS!

  • tom

    Yup, exactly woofe its not about how hard it is 2 make hundreds episodes into one movie. Its just there’re so many fu?*#d up details wid a very awful story telling. Like I said, I don’t have compare dis movie 2 d DB story just 2 call it a very shitty movie! So since I’m a big DB fan, I’m so f*”kin pissed wid d movie n james wong!

  • tom

    Yup, exactly woofe its not about how hard it is 2 make hundreds episodes into one movie. Its just there’re so many fu?*#d up details wid a very awful story telling. Like I said, I don’t have compare dis movie 2 d DB story just 2 call it a very shitty movie! So since I’m a big DB fan, I’m so f*”kin pissed wid d movie n james wong!

  • JOHN

    WHEN AMERICANS DO THEIR VERSION… IT'S ALL FUCKED UP! STOOOPID AMERICAN VERSION! AMERICANS ARE ONLY GREAT IN PORN MOVIES: FUCKING ASSES, TITS MOUTHS AND PUSSIES! DON'T RAPE THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE VERSION (BUT YOU'VE DONE IT AND GUESS WHAT…I AM RIGHT, THIS MOVIE SUCKS BIG TIME!

  • JOHN

    WHEN AMERICANS DO THEIR VERSION… IT'S ALL FUCKED UP! STOOOPID AMERICAN VERSION! AMERICANS ARE ONLY GREAT IN PORN MOVIES: FUCKING ASSES, TITS MOUTHS AND PUSSIES! DON'T RAPE THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE VERSION (BUT YOU'VE DONE IT AND GUESS WHAT…I AM RIGHT, THIS MOVIE SUCKS BIG TIME!

  • JOHN

    IF I'M KAKAROTO (DO YOU FUCKING AMERICANS KNOW HIM, I GUESS NOT FUCKERS!) I'LL BLOW UP THE WHOLE FOX STUDIOS STARTING WITH YOUR JANITORS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE PRESIDENT! KAMEHAMEHA!

  • JOHN

    IF I'M KAKAROTO (DO YOU FUCKING AMERICANS KNOW HIM, I GUESS NOT FUCKERS!) I'LL BLOW UP THE WHOLE FOX STUDIOS STARTING WITH YOUR JANITORS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE PRESIDENT! KAMEHAMEHA!

  • JOHN

    DO YOUR STARWARS THING, YOUR LORD OF THE RINGS THING, SPIDERMAN THING, BATMAN THING ANY AMERICAN SUPERHERO THING BUT DON'T MAKE YOUR OWN VERSION FROM A JAPANESE OR KOREAN ANIME ,VIDEO GAME, MANGA , DRAMA ,LOVE STORY, COMEDY,ACTION, OR HORROR FILM… YOU'LL ALL GONNA SUCK BIG TIME!

  • JOHN

    DO YOUR STARWARS THING, YOUR LORD OF THE RINGS THING, SPIDERMAN THING, BATMAN THING ANY AMERICAN SUPERHERO THING BUT DON'T MAKE YOUR OWN VERSION FROM A JAPANESE OR KOREAN ANIME ,VIDEO GAME, MANGA , DRAMA ,LOVE STORY, COMEDY,ACTION, OR HORROR FILM… YOU'LL ALL GONNA SUCK BIG TIME!

  • JOHN

    MASTER BUTEN ROSHI IS BALD WITH A MOUSTACHE! WHY CAN'T YOU MAKE CHOW YUN FAT LOOK LIKE THAT?! BECAUSE HIS WIFE'S GONNA JUMP ON THE 25TH FLOOR?! SHIT HEADS!

    • woofe

      Haha, you're one angry fan lol. But you got points :)

      • JOHN

        YOURE RIGHT AS I AND ANY DRAGONBALL FAN SHOULD BE! THEY'RE RAPING OUR CHILDHOOD MEMORIES! FUCK EM ALL!

  • JOHN

    MASTER BUTEN ROSHI IS BALD WITH A MOUSTACHE! WHY CAN'T YOU MAKE CHOW YUN FAT LOOK LIKE THAT?! BECAUSE HIS WIFE'S GONNA JUMP ON THE 25TH FLOOR?! SHIT HEADS!

    • woofe

      Haha, you're one angry fan lol. But you got points :)

      • JOHN

        YOURE RIGHT AS I AND ANY DRAGONBALL FAN SHOULD BE! THEY'RE RAPING OUR CHILDHOOD MEMORIES! FUCK EM ALL!

  • JOHN

    THE EDITORS,PRODUCERS AND DIRECTOR IN THIS FUCKING FILM BETTER DIE!

  • JOHN

    THE EDITORS,PRODUCERS AND DIRECTOR IN THIS FUCKING FILM BETTER DIE!

  • JOHN

    HEY JAMES FUCKING WONG GO BACK TO YOUR ONCE UPON IN TIME IN CHINA PART 2000 THING OK? YOU'RE FUCKING STOOOPID!

  • JOHN

    HEY JAMES FUCKING WONG GO BACK TO YOUR ONCE UPON IN TIME IN CHINA PART 2000 THING OK? YOU'RE FUCKING STOOOPID!

  • RandomHuman

    what did ANYBODY expect? is there ANY comic/action Animor manga that would translate well to live action? Thats why it's enjoyed! It's SOOOOO fuckin far from realistic yet we can relate to the characters because of good writing. This is not the case. Maybe a japanese film crew could have done better but they really need to stop trying this sort of thing. Oh and not to be a dick but why is it that this post will be the only one written in proper english? Not even one other person on here knows proper syntax and punctuation(besides the "waste of downloads" guy)? I apoligize if english is a second language for most on here, but for fucks sake proof read before sending.

    • EngrishBoy2009

      It's a forums board, so get over your "perfect engrish"…why the fuck should anyone care how the hell we spell or use grammar. In the end, you're reading about my opinion over this shitty movie, not a thesis on making a proper post on the internet. I'm by far from being perfect, but at least I'm not some writing-natzi. By the way it's spelled "apologize," not "apoligize," great way to set the example; I'd hate to correct your punctuation too :)

      Anyways, back to my horrible engrish about this damn movie. It sucked – the end. Maybe the producer was going for the "funny martial arts" theme that he went with in Kung Fu Hustle or Shaolin Soccer, I don't know. What I do know is EVERY review I agree with…because every review is negative as it should be. I wish I could give these guys credit for attempting to make a manga/anime into a live-action film, but I just can't.

    • Meh

      Haha, you just made my day. Talk about proper syntax and punctuation, maybe you should look in the mirror first before you start criticizing someone. I had a good laugh.

      Dragon Ball Evolution SUCKED!

  • RandomHuman

    what did ANYBODY expect? is there ANY comic/action Animor manga that would translate well to live action? Thats why it's enjoyed! It's SOOOOO fuckin far from realistic yet we can relate to the characters because of good writing. This is not the case. Maybe a japanese film crew could have done better but they really need to stop trying this sort of thing. Oh and not to be a dick but why is it that this post will be the only one written in proper english? Not even one other person on here knows proper syntax and punctuation(besides the "waste of downloads" guy)? I apoligize if english is a second language for most on here, but for fucks sake proof read before sending.

    • EngrishBoy2009

      It's a forums board, so get over your "perfect engrish"…why the fuck should anyone care how the hell we spell or use grammar. In the end, you're reading about my opinion over this shitty movie, not a thesis on making a proper post on the internet. I'm by far from being perfect, but at least I'm not some writing-natzi. By the way it's spelled "apologize," not "apoligize," great way to set the example; I'd hate to correct your punctuation too :)

      Anyways, back to my horrible engrish about this damn movie. It sucked – the end. Maybe the producer was going for the "funny martial arts" theme that he went with in Kung Fu Hustle or Shaolin Soccer, I don't know. What I do know is EVERY review I agree with…because every review is negative as it should be. I wish I could give these guys credit for attempting to make a manga/anime into a live-action film, but I just can't.

    • Meh

      Haha, you just made my day. Talk about proper syntax and punctuation, maybe you should look in the mirror first before you start criticizing someone. I had a good laugh.

      Dragon Ball Evolution SUCKED!

  • dbz

    this movie suck donkey nuts chatwin was wrong everything was wrong. need new crew and producer director everything need to been redone bad bad bad bad bad bad bad movies

  • dbz

    this movie suck donkey nuts chatwin was wrong everything was wrong. need new crew and producer director everything need to been redone bad bad bad bad bad bad bad movies

  • paul

    I think you are all to soft on this movie. When i saw the trailer i thought it would suck, but when i saw the movie and could not even find a singel detail right that matches with the saga. I dont think the directer has even seen the db episodes. I would say, dont spend an hour watching this. You wil waist an houre of youre life !!!!
    I realy hope there wont be a secual where they rape the dragonball seris again.

  • paul

    I think you are all to soft on this movie. When i saw the trailer i thought it would suck, but when i saw the movie and could not even find a singel detail right that matches with the saga. I dont think the directer has even seen the db episodes. I would say, dont spend an hour watching this. You wil waist an houre of youre life !!!!
    I realy hope there wont be a secual where they rape the dragonball seris again.

  • shaun trindall

    i thought it was a good movie  EVEN though it was short and they did screw up a lot but istill thought it was cool    but IF they make a sequel they should ask fans what they would like to see and make inmprovements  to make it more like the anime like having the great apes bigger  and  introduce vegeta and nappa , but justin chatwin was a great choice for goku   but they should have made the hair more spiky

← Older Comments