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DOA: Dead or Alive
By Cynthia Fuchs,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Video game adaptation is heavy on bikinis.

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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
DOA: DEAD OR ALIVE follows a grueling competition on a heavily guarded island overseen by the odious Donovan (Eric Roberts). Ninja princess Kasumi (Devon Aoki) overcomes a courtyard full of warriors in order to find out the truth about her martial arts-star brother, who vanished at the last DOA contest. Professional wrestler Tina (Jaime Pressly) knocks out a crew of pirates, then defeats her dad in a DOA matchup. And assassin-thief Christie (Holly Valance) takes out a squad of fighters in suits, then almost gets away with the loot until she's thwarted by her love interest, Max (Matthew Marsden), who also shows up at DOA.
Is It Any Good?
Directed by respected martial arts choreographer Corey Yuen, this action movie is a series of fight scenes strung together by a pretense of a plot. Video game characters don't always make for complex movie characters. While almost all of the key players in DOA: Dead or Alive are strong, powerful women, they're frequently shown in bikinis and underwear, and the camera focuses on their bodies. Their friendships are based on admiring one another's athletic skills, which they all display frequently. The only men competitors to stand out are Ryu Hayabusa (Kane Kosugi) and Zack (Brian J. White), who play second fiddle to the women fighters.
The plot includes some rudimentary familial tensions: Tina fights with her father (also a pro wrestler); Kasumi believes her brother isn't dead, as has been reported; and Helena (Sarah Carter) suspects that her uncle Donovan is up to no good. But, really, this is all about the fighting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about video game-based movies. What's their appeal? What do they tend to have in common?
Why do you think filmmakers want to adapt video games? What sorts of plots or characters do they provide? Does DOA's story work better on the big screen or on a console? Why? What audience do you think it's trying to attract?
What are some ways that the women characters are powerful and independent? Are there times when their bodies are shown in unnecessarily revealing ways?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 15, 2007
- On DVD or streaming: September 11, 2007
- Cast: Devon Aoki , Eric Roberts , Jaime Pressly
- Director: Andrew Adamson
- Studio: MGM/UA
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- Run time: 87 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: pervasive martial arts and action violence, some sexuality and nudity.
- Last updated: September 20, 2023
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