Dragonball Evolution (PG, 2009)
common sense media says
Movie based on anime series has lots of martial arts action.
parents & educators say
- 67% say sexual content is an issue
- 50% say violence is an issue
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this live-action adaptation of the popular anime/comic book/video game series has lots of martial arts action. There's not much blood, but expect plenty of fighting, weapons (throwing stars, staffs, futuristic guns, etc.), and even a couple of deaths (though one is reversed). Characters also flirt and kiss and use some mildly salty language ("damn," "hell," and the like). And while there isn't any obvious product placement in the movie, the film itself could be considered one big ad for all the existing Dragonball merchandise out there.
Violence:
Constant martial arts action, with more emphasis on ducking, dodging, and diving than on brutality and bloodshed. Fights and scuffling, and two blodless deaths (one of which is reversed). Some futuristic sci-fi gunplay, but no impacts or blood. There's also lots of energy bolt hurling/combat and combat with martial arts weapons -- throwing stars, staffs, etc. When supernatural beings are cut in two, they regenerate before being hurled into lava. A martial artist is attacked with metal rods; he dodges the blows so adroitly that his attackers only hurt themselves.
Sex:
Mild kissing; some flirting, cleavage, and sexual tension.
Language:
Words include "hell," "damn," "crap," "fart," "sucks," "oh my God," and an incomplete use of "s--t."
Consumerism:
No real-world brands are mentioned, but the movie is an adaptation of the popular anime/manga series, so in a sense, the whole thing is an ad for the Dragonball franchise (which includes plenty of products).
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
More on Dragonball Evolution
Watch our review
Review It
Based on 6 parent & educator reviews:
- 67% say sexual content is an issue
- 50% say violence is an issue
- 33% say language is an issue
Most useful reviews by all members
kra
adult
adult
Great for fans, not sure about newbs
I have to admit, I was a big follower of the original anime series. I really enjoyed seeing this story unfold in a new way (live action). I am obviously biased, I can't tell you what you'll think about it if you've never heard of or followed Dragonball or Dragonball Z before.
The only thing I had a problem with was the pervasive use of cleavage shots. For instance, Chi-Chi, a main character, always has her shirt unzipped a bit (or a lot). In a world where people daily exercise their "freedom of lust", it would have been nice to have had a break from it.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
henryboys
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
For kids
soooooooooo boring!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
xXBabyDollXx
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
this is dragonball!?
i really can't believe that the made a movie this bad off of such a great anime! dragonball is my favorite anime and they just made a disgrace out of it! i can't stand the characters except for Yamcha. and where are all the other characters! when i watched it i forgot it was even dragonball!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
LadyFlameSinger
adult
adult
Could have been a lot better
While it wasn't absolutely terrible, I had a hard time taking this movie seriously. At least the martial arts weren't all bad.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
migyeah
adult
adult
^.^V
this movie is good for the whole family, as long as parental guidance is advice...
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
KidWhoReviewsStuff
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Is more devolution than evolution
Average kung-fu fantasy that is loosely based on the anime series of the same name.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
mkalv
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Bad adaption
This film is a very bad adaption of the anime. Not only is it a bad adaption, but its also boring, forgettable, and the acting is not all that good. I would only reccomend it to the most hardcore of DBZ fans.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
OldBob13
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Poor adaptation of popular manga cartoon is tasteless and badly acted--for diehards only
Anyone who is familiar with the show of the same name will definetly want to see Dragonball Evolution. For the fan group, this is a must-see. But others beware; it was very confusing and nonsensical. Fanboys will most likely get it, but they will just watch it for the action anyway. Viewers who want an in depth move experience will be disappointed by the paper-thin premise. It's about a teen named Goku who finds out the dragonball his grandfather gave him holds a power like nothing else existing. If he returns it to where the other dragonballs are, he will be granted one wish. But an evil warlord wants it for himself, and Goku doubts he'll be nice about it. Blandly acted, poorly directed, and a mess visually, Dragonball Evolution is just not a good film. If there is any good news here, it's that there are really good messages and role models. Goku is selfless and brave, and the movie clearly points these facts out. Content issues are noticable in the sexual dialouge (there are a few references to womanizing), and some intense action scenes. OK for younger preteens and up.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
nduns
adult
adult
Those hating on this movie are doing it for the wrong reasons
Ignoring all the soccermom/oversensitive kid complaints and the deluded fanboy ravings where people trick themselves into believing this is a good adaptation, this movie is an insult to any DB fan. On the contrary with another reviewer, this movie's okay for newbies but fans will hate it. They got only 5-10% of it right. Everything else was so inaccurate it's incredible. But as a movie alone, it's still rather average. Some of the action scenes look good, I'll give it that, but otherwise, the plot's pretty weak, it suffers from a NUMBER of cliches and, well, aside from a couple of cool action sequences it doesn't offer much. Now, normally, I don't get at adaptations for inaccuracies. I usually try to look past them and just enjoy the movie. Sadly, there were WAY too many inaccuracies in this and even as a stand-alone title, it wasn't that good. Die-hard will find themselves ticked off and yelling at almost every scene in the movie while newbies will get a minor thrill from it, but that's just how I see it.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Budman4
adult
adult
this is such a scary movie. i cryed and jumped through the whole movie. i am still having nightmairs. this movie is also racest. i am black and in the movie a black guy gets made into a slave. wut the hell man!!!!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
themoviefan101
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
DIS MOOVIE SUCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a friend who is a big fan of the show and he ALSO said that this movie sucks.
This movie was so terrible that i did not even watch this in theaters, I watched it on COMCAST ONDEMAND!!!! $2.99 DOWN DA DRAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I cannot believe that I'm giving this movie 1 star on CSM. I'M ONLY GIVING 1 STAR IN CSM, BUT IN REAL LIFE I GIVE THIS A 0/5.
This movie sucked, end of story.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
The Writer
adult
adult
Cliche Plot Loses Interest, But an Okay Movie.
I have flagged this film as violent. However, as it is an action film, I think that much is to be expected. The storyline is somewhat interesting, and the characters were well-written, but it was all so extremely cliche that mid-film, I grabbed a nearby puzzle and started fiddling with it for entertainment. This being said, my little brother liked it, and while I don't think I will ever recommend it (and will certainly never watch it again), I think you could do worse than watch this film. Ultimately, the messages are good. You'll really have to know your kid as far as the violence is concerned, but I would think kids 8+ would be able to handle it very well.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
AWESOMEDJ
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Just A Stupid Movie...
WTH Man?! You give the series an Iffy and you give this piece of crap a On?! Are you serious. This movie does not base anything off the freaking anime! It sucked! You are stupid little people you know! Bulma can't fight! And where's Krillin?! 2+ This anime If for teens and the movie Is for kids? Stupid director!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
An independent voice for families
Advice on the big issues
Already seen it? What do you think?
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
