Before even reading this review, you knew that the film was going to fail. You knew that there was no way that a modernized version of a brilliant anime that didn't even have the entire cast of characters (in the first episodes that is) was going to disappoint and deliver garbage. However, the difference between this remake/re-imagining of the animated cartoon and the typical Hollywood remake is the amount of effort. This was not some half-arsed production or cheap attempt to sell more toys and make quick money. This was an actual futile attempt to create a new storyline for the franchise that has been around since the 80s and jump-started the anime craze that eventually hit the United States in the late 90s.
But yes the movie is bad. Yes the movie is muddled with clichés, over-blown special effects, wooden writing, and a weak ending. Yet, the energy and flair throughout the production stood out, and the potential for an evolving franchise that jumps from miserably bad to good is there. There is some bit of hope; you just have to deal with the fact that they aren't going to follow the original storyline at all. Maybe it's the fanboyism talking that if they listen; they can deliver a superior work of Dragonball. That or I might be utterly crazy. In the meantime, we shall gripe.
1) Oolong, Vegeta, Turtle, Ox King, Puar, Krillin are not in the film
2) There are no extremely lengthy fights like in the television show
3) Bulma is a gun-wielding feminine cowgal
4) Yamcha has blonde hair
5) Master Roshi was not living in a very secluded island with a palm tree next to it
6) There is only one signature move mentioned in the film
7) Piccolo wasn't green
8) The Great Ape is reduced to angry Donkey Kong
If you are not at all ruffled at the previous complaints, then you aren't a fanboy, and can continue reading this so you know why the film fails. If you did get upset, stop reading, because odds are you are already protesting. Dragonball Evolution is most certainly not going to appeal to any of the true-blue fans of the show; those that saw Goku's travels from child to multiple deaths to wonderful memory. As for those who want to know what Dragonball is all about, skip this as well. If you are willing to accept a new vision of Dragonball, read on.
To make the plot synopsis simple: Goku must recover 7 dragonballs in order to prevent Piccolo from creating apocalyptic havoc across the planet. With the help of Bulma, Master Roshi and Yamcha, he sets off to try to rid the world of evil using the dragonballs. This film has all the nods to other "young lad must rise up to overcome challenges despite incredible odds." The clichés are fired so often, you can predict the next one. It's pretty clear that the writers knew about the anime and the characters, but didn't study about it deeply at all. Its one thing to know the show, it's another thing to truly know the show. Example: makers of Twilight Zone Tower of Terror saw every Twilight Zone episode 3 times. End result is an attraction that literally looks like a Twilight Zone episode. In the case of Dragonball Evolution, it has the characters, some of the familiar characterizations, but that's about it.
Blaming the acting would be wrong, since they provided well with the material they had. Justin Chatwin as Goku is a mixed bag; he can play the role, but doesn't resemble Goku that much. Chi-Chi herself doesn't look like Chi-Chi, but Jamie Chung plays the role with a nice dosage of beauty and feistiness. Same goes with Bulma, portrayed by Emmy Rossum. Last but not least, the best performance comes from Yun-Fat Chow, who plays Master Roshi perfectly. Too bad the turtle sidekick from the cartoon was missing.
Bottom Line: Let's just wrap the review simply with this: It sucks, but could have been halfway decent if the clichés weren't flying and there was more research plastered into the production. While a Dragonball movie outside the manga series actually following the franchise plot lines is inevitable (there have been two live-action films already) the effort placed in this installment was actually uplifting, even if the quality of the movie itself destroyed any positive feelings. Dragonball itself is an amazingly charming story full of rich characters, why not do a highly accurate adaptation? The only reason to see this movie is the only reason I went to see it: for nostalgia sakes, to reminisce the good times of Toonami. Don't expect miserable utter failure, but expect a bad movie with a few good moments and elements.
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