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Movies / On DVD / Dragonball: Evolution
Dragonball: Evolution

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Dragonball: Evolution (2009)

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Reviews Counted:53

Fresh:7

Rotten:46

Average Rating:3.4/10

Consensus: Executed with little panache or invention, Dragonball Evolution lacks the magic that made the books upon which it was based a cult sensation.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for intense sequences of action/violence and brief mild language.

Runtime: 85 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:08-04-2009

Synopsis: Based on the renowned Japanese manga/anime franchise, the live-action DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION follows the adventures of young Goku (Justin Chatwin of WAR OF THE WORLDS), who is drawn into the legacy... Based on the renowned Japanese manga/anime franchise, the live-action DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION follows the adventures of young Goku (Justin Chatwin of WAR OF THE WORLDS), who is drawn into the legacy of the mystical spheres of the title, and trains to become a powerful warrior with the aid of the wise but lewd Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat) and the weapons-loving Bulma (Emmy Rossum), among others. This small band of fighters must face off against the evil warlord Piccolo (James Marsters) and his minions to avert the end of the world. The first Hollywood feature-film adaptation of the venerable DRAGONBALL series, EVOLUTION is helmed by director James Wong (FINAL DESTINATION, THE ONE) with a nod to the playful work of coproducer Stephen Chow (KUNG FU HUSTLE). A movie where visual effects and plot easily eclipse the acting and script, EVOLUTION will appeal to those seeking a combat-heavy spectacle, though the presence of Yun Fat, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER alum Marsters, and former reality-TV star Jamie Chung help to elevate the proceedings. Although diehard fans may not be pleased with the film, which misses peak DRAGONBALL popularity by about 15 years, EVOLUTION, like its fellow 2009 movie STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI, serves as fine entertainment for ardent martial-arts/video-game enthusiasts and tween boys. [More]

Starring: Justin Chatwin, Emmy Rossum, Chow Yun Fat, James Marsters

Starring: Justin Chatwin, Emmy Rossum, Chow Yun Fat, James Marsters, Jamie Chung, Joon Park, Eriko, Randall Duk Kim, Ernie Hudson

Director: James Wong

Director: James Wong
Screenwriter: James Wong
Producer: Stephen Chow
Composer: Brian Tyler
Studio: 20th Century Fox

[See More Credits]

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    International Trailer
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    My Car!
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  • Did You Do That?
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    You Are The Key
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    Dragonball Energy
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  • Justin Chatwin and Emmy Rossum Interview
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1 - 4 of 10

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Reviews for Dragonball: Evolution

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
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The story seems to have been made up as the film went along, and not by anyone talented. The fight scenes and special effects are shamefully pathetic.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
04/17/09
Christopher Tookey
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

Faced with the choice of watching Dragonball: Evolution again and perishing in a fiery apocalypse, I'd take Judgment Day every time.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
04/17/09
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

A rather tame live-action sci-fi flick.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
04/17/09
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Independent

The producer, Stephen Chow, made the funny and original Kung Fu Hustle, but here he and director James Wong get into a terrible mess.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
04/17/09
This is London

Having been blandly adapted from a Chinese folklore-inspired Manga, that's about as much of the story that makes sense. Gibberish in the extreme, it has all the narrative cohesion of a trading card game.

Full Review Source: Scotsman | comment 1 Comment
04/17/09
Alistair Harkness
Alistair Harkness
Scotsman

Making no effort to be original, exciting, witty or even vaguely plausible, it may pass the time as sparkly fodder for 12-year-old boys with plenty of sugar in their bloodstream.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
04/09/09
David Jenkins
David Jenkins
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Dragonball Evolution is an example of Hollywood at its most calculating and cynical. Utter drivel.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
04/09/09
Wendy Ide
Wendy Ide
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Dragonball: Evolution is so lazy and cheap in every aspect of its execution that the end result is almost unwatchable.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment 3 Comments
04/09/09
Chris Prince
Chris Prince
Sky Movies

Tearing through its mystical, who-gives-a-toss storyline like a pissed bat bouncing off cave walls, Dragonball’s cocktail of cheap effects, eye-rolling cliches and dismal direlogue will have fans of the series condemning it as a beyond-lame failure.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment 4 Comments
04/09/09
Matt Mueller
Matt Mueller
Total Film

Run a mile in any direction from Dragonball Evolution.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
04/09/09
Nigel Andrews
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times

It’s just dull, dumb and depressing.

Full Review Source: SFX Magazine | comment Comment
04/09/09
Andrew Osmond
Andrew Osmond
SFX Magazine

Enjoyable action-adventure enlivened by likeable performances, fast-paced direction and a script that's smart enough to cover a few teen movie bases along the way.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment 8 Comments
04/09/09
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

A charmless, somewhat cynical attempt to cash in on one of the most beloved anime franchises of all time.

Full Review Source: IGN Movies UK | comment 15 Comments
04/06/09
Orlando Parfitt
Orlando Parfitt
IGN Movies UK

Puerile childrens' sci-fi of a strictly B-movie standard.

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment 11 Comments
03/26/09
Mike Goodridge
Mike Goodridge
Screen International

This film offers further proof, as if any were needed, that Western filmmakers cannot do justice to their Easter counterparts when it comes to retooling anime and/or Fant-Asia for Occidental consumption.

Full Review Source: Cinefantastique | comment Comment
09/24/09
Steve Biodrowski
Steve Biodrowski
Cinefantastique

As far as 2009 flops will go, [this] could have been much worse to sit through...

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment 1 Comment
04/30/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

A contender for the worst movie of the year was released in April.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment 15 Comments
04/18/09
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

I am no expert in the field of Dragon Ball. However... the first live-action, English-language film in the franchise is absolutely insipid.

Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy | comment 1 Comment
04/18/09
Tim Brayton
Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy

For anyone writing it off as a kiddie film, Dragonball: Evolution should be considered child abuse. Put everyone involved with this catastrophe on the receiving end of a Kamehameha wave.

Full Review Source: TheDivaReview.com | comment Comment
04/18/09
Diva Velez
Diva Velez
TheDivaReview.com

this first installment was actually entertaining enough that a sequel could work out the kinks to become a very solid franchise.

Full Review Source: Gazette (MD) | comment 3 Comments
04/17/09
Jeffrey Lyles
Jeffrey Lyles
Gazette (MD)
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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