‘Dragonball’ fulfills low expectations

Years ago, as Japanese animated series “Dragonball Z” gained immense popularity in the United States, fans began calling for a live action movie. The American release of the animated “Dragonball,” the show that started the series, did nothing but bring more calls for a movie. After all of the hype, production for a movie entitled “Dragonball Evolution” began.

As promotional pictures were released, some optimism turned into disappointment as fans noticed that the movie would not be what they were expecting. After watching the movie, low expectations were met as this movie took everything that made “Dragonball” so popular and put a Hollywood spin on it. Although it should be noted that the film is an adaption, meaning it should be understood that not everything will be quite the same, fans will be sorely disappointed as the film is almost a complete rewriting of the series.

One thing that will be immediately noticed is the use of a Caucasian actor, Justin Chatwin, as lead character Goku. Considering almost every other major actor is of Asian descent, as the characters in the series are, it would only make sense for the lead to be Asian. It was almost as if the directors were worried that a story-appropriate Japanese lead would not appeal to American audiences even though Asian actors have had plenty of success in the American film industry.

And while on the subject of Goku, the character in the film is almost nothing like the Goku known to “Dragonball” fans. The film has Goku as a timid high school teen who struggles with bullies, which is nothing like the actual, happy-go-lucky Goku that was portrayed in the comic and animated series. If they had included even a hint of Goku’s child-like approach to life, the film would have been much better.

Also excluded from the film was Goku’s best friend and sparring partner, Krillin. In the series, it is the death of Krillin that inspires the fight against the story’s antagonist, Piccolo (played by James Marsters). In the film, it is the murder of Grandpa Gohan (Randall Duk Kim) that causes the fight. Really, Gohan should have never been in the film. It is small changes like these that will disappoint most fans.

The acting in general is mediocre at best. Chow Yun-Fat overacted immensely as Master Roshi, who was obviously younger than his student Grandpa Gohan, even though it should have been the other way around. The character of Yamcha (Joon Park) would have been decent if he was not given some kind of surfer personality. Instead of making Yamcha appear sneaky and heroic, he was portrayed as a clueless thief.

Another big problem with the film is its short length. The movie is listed at running about an hour and twenty five minutes but really is about an hour and ten minutes. I understand that the film had to cram over 100 episodes into one movie, but it could have done so in a more thorough manner.

If you want to have a good time watching this movie, come to the theater with an open mind. Be warned though, fans of the series will be immensely disappointed and people who have never heard of “Dragonball” will be confused throughout the whole hour. If there is a sequel, hopefully fans will get a movie that sticks closer to the original material.

However, judging by “Dragonball Evolution,” I wouldn’t get my hopes up.