Introduction to Dragonball Evolution"Dragonball Evolution" is a 2009 action-adventure dream movie directed by James Wong and based upon the popular Japanese manga and anime series "Dragon Ball" produced by Akira Toriyama. The film was meant to be a live-action adaptation that brings to life the characters and story loved by fans around the globe. The film revolves around the mission for the magical Dragon Balls and follows the journey of the young warrior Goku as he tries to avoid the wicked Lord Piccolo from getting them and taking control of the world.
Plot SummaryThe movie opens with the lead character, Goku (Justin Chatwin), dealing with his grandfather Gohan (Randall Duk Kim), who trains him in martial arts. Goku has a hard time to suit at school, dealing with bullies and harboring a secret crush on his schoolmate Chi-Chi (Jamie Chung). On his 18th birthday, Gohan gives Goku a Dragon Ball, describing that it is one of seven magical orbs that, when integrated, can summon the dragon Shenron and grant any wish. That night, during Goku's birthday party, an extraterrestrial bad guy named Lord Piccolo (James Marsters), who seeks to gather all the Dragon Balls to acquire supreme power, attacks their home, resulting in Gohan's death.
Inspired by his grandpa's passing away demand to find the martial artist Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat), Goku triggers on a mission to gather the Dragon Balls before Piccolo can. He is quickly joined by Bulma (Emmy Rossum), a brilliant researcher who is also looking for the Dragon Balls to harness their energy for scientific development. Together, they discover Master Roshi, who exposes that he trained along with Gohan. Roshi explains the serious threat presented by Piccolo and his mission to use the Dragon Balls to damage the world.
With the guidance of Master Roshi, Goku starts a journey that introduces him to new allies, including the shapeshifter Yamcha (Joon Park), and leads them to conflicts with Piccolo's minion, Mai (Eriko Tamura). Throughout their adventures, Goku embraces his fate and works to ideal the effective Kamehameha energy method that is critical to their success.
Climactic Battle and ResolutionTheir quest leads the group to a climactic battle at the website of the Dragon Balls. As Piccolo summons Shenron and continues to make his want world dominance, Goku changes into the powerful Oozaru, a giant ape-like animal, influenced by a solar eclipse. Goku's internal struggle and Chi-Chi's intervention assistance him regain control over his Oozaru kind, and he faces Piccolo in a last showdown.
In the end, Goku utilizes the power of the Kamehameha to defeat Piccolo, saving the world from damage. The group celebrates their success and starts to disband, with Goku delegated ponder his new function as a protector of Earth. The movie closes with Goku reuniting with Chi-Chi for a martial arts match, hinting at a blossoming love. A short post-credits scene teases a potential sequel with Piccolo enduring, indicating that the fight may not be over.
Reception and LegacyDespite its anticipation, "Dragonball Evolution" was met with significant criticism both from critics and the franchise's devoted fans. The film was extensively criticized for its variance from the source product's plot, character representation, and tone. The reception adversely impacted any plans for sequels, and the movie is typically cited as a not successful effort to Westernize a beloved Japanese story. "Dragonball Evolution" is used as a cautionary tale in discussions about adjusting anime to live-action cinema, highlighting the importance of appreciating the original material and the expectations of a dedicated fanbase.
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