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Dragonball Evolution
2009 85 min Hong Kong, United Kingdom, United States of America PG 12+
★3.4
Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Thriller
Director: James Wong
💬 Based on the comic
«Dragon Ball»
byAkira Toriyama
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
On his 18th birthday, Goku receives a mystical Dragonball as a gift from his grandfather. There are only six others like it in the whole world, and legend has it that whoever possesses all seven will be granted one perfect wish. When the arrival of a dark force triggers a tragedy, Goku and his companions are propelled into an epic quest to collect the seven Dragonballs and save the Earth from destruction.
Budget:
$30M
US Gross:
$9.36M
Worldwide:
$58.23M
Starring
Justin Chatwin
Actor
James Marsters
Actor
Chow Yun-Fat
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
Dragonball Evolution is widely regarded as a significant failure that fails to capture the spirit of its source material. While some viewers find it to be an acceptable, lighthearted B-movie for younger audiences, the general consensus criticizes its disjointed plot, poor character development, and lack of fidelity to the original manga.
| Production | The film’s visual effects and production design are generally acknowledged as competent and well-funded, even by those who otherwise dislike the film. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is consistently criticized for being shallow, disjointed, and failing to provide meaningful character arcs or logical progression. | |
| Acting | Opinions on acting are sharply divided, with some finding the performances engaging and charming, while others dismiss them as flat, wooden, or miscast. | |
| Adaptation | The adaptation’s fidelity is a major point of contention, as it alienates long-term fans by stripping away the depth and specific world-building of the original manga. | |
| Direction | Direction is viewed as inconsistent, with many noting that the attempt to blend Eastern martial arts styles with Western teenage drama creates a jarring and uneven tone. |