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Dragonball Evolution

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Movie based on anime series has lots of martial arts action.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Like other epic fantasy films, the movie's messages are generally positive: Have faith in yourself, you can do anything, willpower can triumph over anger, and so on. But whether kids will absorb that amid all the high kicks and karate chops is another matter. One character is a thief, but he's presented, briefly, as more of a lovable brigand a la Han Solo. There are several strong female characters.
 

What to watch out for

  • 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 an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Dragonball Evolution

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why kids want to see the movie -- is it because of the specific story or because it's part of the Dragonball franchise? 
  • Why do you think the filmmakers chose to make a live-action movie instead of an animated one? 
  • Does any of the violence seem more serious because the characters are real people? Why or why not?
Tools and tips that can help

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    LadyFlameSinger
    Lives in Idaho
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 3.0

    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.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    migyeah
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    ^.^V

    this movie is good for the whole family, as long as parental guidance is advice...

    This review...

    Helped me decide (1) | Had useful details (2) | Read my mind (1)
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Adult Reviewer
    kra
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    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.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind (1)
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Adult Reviewer
    Budman4
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    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!!!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Mr. Review
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    Flag as inappropriate

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