As a seasoned anime enthusiast who grew up watching the original “Dragon Ball” series, I can confidently say that the 2009 live-action adaptation, “Dragonball Evolution“, was a misguided attempt at capturing the magic of Akira Toriyama’s creation. It was like trying to squeeze a square peg into a round hole and expecting it to fit perfectly.
Most people who have watched the classic Dragon Ball series, produced by the renowned, deceased author Akira Toriyama, generally feel that the 2009 live-action version, titled Dragonball Evolution, was a regrettable misstep. This sentiment is not unique, as James Marsters, who portrayed Piccolo in the film, shares similar views. Often criticized as one of the worst live-action films ever made, Dragonball Evolution follows the story of Son Goku (played by Justin Chatwin), a teenager who sets off on a quest to find Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat) after discovering Piccolo’s evil plot to conquer the world. To thwart him, Goku and a group of valiant warriors must collect all seven Dragon Balls before the next solar eclipse.
Even though it’s been 15 years since the film was first shown, few actors have mentioned it, for a clear reason. However, Marsters, who was recently interviewed on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast on YouTube, looked back on his Dragon Ball Super character and his role in Dragon Ball Evolution. Notably, he strongly advised against watching the movie, stating that it’s not worth viewing.
“I didn’t want any recognition for Dragon Ball as I only wanted to be recognized by genuine Dragon Ball Super fans at conventions. Often, people in my fan meetings would ask about the movie. I was part of a terrible Dragon Ball movie called Dragonball Evolution, and it was incredibly bad. In fact, the only positive aspect about the film is that not many people watched it. So, to those who are watching this, please don’t watch that movie.
I myself acknowledged that the movie’s debut in Japan showed it wasn’t the best adaptation. Yet, when I got cast as Zamasu’s voice in Dragon Ball Super, I viewed it as a chance to make amends. I went on to say…
“We visited Japan and it felt unusually tranquil. It gradually dawned on me how unpleasant the situation had become. To be honest, I’d grown tired of receiving criticism at conventions about that movie, so when I got the opportunity to work on Dragon Ball Super, I thought – this is a chance for me to express my apologies for that film, and let them know I am Zamasu.
How Bad is Dragonball Evolution?
Even those who are unfamiliar with the original anime will find many faults inDragonball Evolution, so, needless to say, it was a terrible film that has been disowned by practically everyone who was part of its production. So, what exactly went wrong with the film that made it a horrible live-action feature?
Initially, devotees of anime, particularly those of Dragonball, are extremely discerning about maintaining the story’s authenticity. Unfortunately, the movie adaptation, Dragonball Evolution, strayed far from this integrity, altering every element in the franchise’s mythology. Yet, what enraged many fans the most was the introduction of a teenage trope into the classic Dragon Ball narrative, which tarnished the beloved anime for those who had grown up with it.
All in all, the movie “Dragonball Evolution” failed to satisfy fans of “Dragon Ball,” despite its striking visuals and captivating action scenes. Instead of being a significant advancement in live-action adaptations at that time, it became a film that either misinterpreted or overlooked its primary audience – anime enthusiasts. Given this, the movie’s poor reception from both critics and audiences is hardly unexpected. In contrast, recent endeavors like Netflix’s “One Piece” seem to have taken note of past mistakes and managed to keep their fan base engaged without alienating them. Here’s hoping that we won’t witness another film like “Dragonball Evolution” in the future.
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2024-10-18 18:01