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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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  • Jamie Chung SDCC 08
    >
    International Trailer
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    Goku Trains
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    My Car!
    >
  • Did You Do That?
    >
    You Are The Key
    >
    Dragonball Energy
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    I Will Have The Dragonball
    >
  • Justin Chatwin and Emmy Rossum Interview
    >
    Jamie Chung and James Marsters Interview
    >
1 - 4 of 10

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Reviews for Dragonball: Evolution

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41 - 53 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Except for the presence of Hong Kong star Chow Yun-Fat, this shoddy live-action film is no different or bigger than the sort of junk kids plop down to watch on TV after school.

Full Review Source: Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema | comment 1 Comment
04/10/09
Mark Pfeiffer
Mark Pfeiffer
Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

Chintzy effects, badly overdubbed dialogue, an idiotic script and a cave set that looks exactly like the "caves" on log-flume rides.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
04/10/09
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

A more accurately descriptive moniker would have been Dragonball Stagnation.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
04/10/09
Rob Humanick
Rob Humanick
Slant Magazine

Uninspired and cliché-ridden.

Full Review Source: MovieTime, ABC Radio National | comment 2 Comments
04/10/09
Jason Di Rosso
Jason Di Rosso
MovieTime, ABC Radio National

The production tries hard in parts, with doses of wry teen humour and imaginative visual effects, but overall, the finished product has no more than a boring, dull veneer to it.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
04/10/09
Andrew J. McGlinn
Andrew J. McGlinn
FILMINK (Australia)

Pretty freakin' sweet, if you're 10.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
04/10/09
Geoff Berkshire
Geoff Berkshire
Metromix.com

The fight choreography in "Hannah Montana" is infinitely better.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
04/10/09
Peter Sobczynski
Peter Sobczynski
eFilmCritic.com

It's this generation's Surf Ninjas, and if you remember that at all then you know what I mean.

Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment 4 Comments
04/09/09
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
Can Magazine

It's a flat take on wild narrative twists involving a shape-shifting villainess, magic balls, and a blistering finishing move called "The Kamehameha." With those ingredients, perhaps the animated realm is where the material should remain.

Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com | comment Comment
04/09/09
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
BrianOrndorf.com

The special effects are rotten. Some CG landscapes even look as bad as those cardboard backdrops they used in old 'Sixties Star Trek episodes!

Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page | comment Comment
04/09/09
James O'Ehley
James O'Ehley
Sci-Fi Movie Page

The movie is at best a mixed blessing, helmer Wong moves things around quickly (running time is only 83 minutes), but the film lacks the scope and style of a mythic epic and the leads are played by actors who may be too old to be teenagers.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment 1 Comment
04/08/09
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Action packed and well paced, the film delivers exactly what it promises in terms of its style and quality effects and should appeal to the 15 to 24 crowd

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment 26 Comments
04/06/09
Andrew L. Urban
Andrew L. Urban
Urban Cinefile

Dragonball Evolution doesn't take itself too seriously, but avoids campiness.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment 40 Comments
03/26/09
Russell Edwards
Russell Edwards
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
41 - 53 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Dragonball: Evolution

April 10, 2009: Weekly Ketchup: Dragonball, Hangover sequels announced
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April 08, 2009: Jamie Chung Stands Up for Dragonball Evolution Opens in new window
For months, any bit of news about "Dragonball Evolution" has been greeted with snorts of derision from fans of the anime series -- but Jamie Chung, who plays Chi Chi in the... More...

April 07, 2009: Five Favourite Films with James Marsters
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