For viewers looking for the best possible presentation, the Dragonball Evolution Blu-ray provides a high-bitrate transfer:
April 10, 2009 (United States); March 13, 2009 (Japan/Hong Kong) Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Rating: PG Runtime: Approximately 85 minutes Director: James Wong Producers: Stephen Chow, James Wong
While the CGI and visual effects were criticized, watching the movie in 1080p allows viewers to see the production design, costumes, and cinematography at the highest possible resolution. It provides a clearer, albeit sometimes harsher, look at how the film was constructed.
Akira Toriyama had largely stepped away from active involvement in the franchise after the conclusion of Dragon Ball Z in the 1990s. However, the live-action movie altered his perspective. Toriyama publicly stated that the Hollywood adaptation drifted so far from his original concept that it rubbed him the wrong way. dragonball evolution 20091080pblurayduala
English (SRT) forced for foreign parts, or full English/Japanese translation
Dragonball Evolution attempts to condense the expansive lore of the original Dragon Ball series into an 85-minute American high school movie. The narrative shifts the mystical, martial arts-driven world of Goku into a recognizable, generic Western suburban setting. Plot Deviations
. While the film itself was widely panned for its lack of loyalty to Akira Toriyama's original manga, the 1080p Blu-ray For viewers looking for the best possible presentation,
Goku is a young man living in modern times who discovers he is actually an alien warrior. He is tasked by his grandfather, Gohan, to find the great Master Roshi and prevent the evil Lord Piccolo from collecting the seven mystical Dragonballs. If Piccolo gathers them all, he can summon the dragon Shenron and wish for world domination. Along with the scientist Bulma and the bandit Yamcha, Goku must race against time to save the Earth, all while navigating high school and his crush, Chi-Chi.
The failure of Dragonball Evolution is often cited as a turning point in how Hollywood approaches anime adaptations. It demonstrated that a literal translation of anime aesthetics into live-action does not automatically guarantee success. Instead, it highlighted the need for a deep understanding of the source material's heart, character development, and tone.
The actor who plays (Chow Yun-Fat) ad-libbed most of his “pervy” lines – the script originally had him as a serious mentor. The Blu-ray’s deleted scenes show the original tone. However, the live-action movie altered his perspective
"Dragonball Evolution" was released on March 13, 2009, in the United States. The film received largely negative reviews from critics and fans alike, citing changes to the source material, poor acting, and a departure from the spirit of the original Dragon Ball series. Despite this, the film grossed over $57 million worldwide.
The "Z-Edition" Blu-ray includes deleted scenes, a gag reel, and a music video by Brian Anthony. Parental Guide Highlights Rated PG for action violence and mild language.
[ Hollywood Live-Action Cast ] [ Japanese Voice Dub Cast ] Justin Chatwin (Goku) --------> Hikiroya Momoto / Anime Voices James Marsters (Lord Piccolo) --------> Toshio Furukawa (Original Piccolo) Emmy Rossum (Bulma) --------> Aya Hisakawa (Later Bulma voice)
To understand why this file remains a curiosity, one must look at the structural failures of the adaptation itself. The movie holds a dismal 15% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and for good reason. Complete Departure from Source Material