THE MOVIE PAGES presents in DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION dragonballevolution.htm

The Inside Story "Dragonball Evolution" is the long-awaited, live-action motion picture based on the popular Japanese manga created by Akira Toriyama, whose work spawned best selling graphic novels, videogames and a phenomenally successful television series. The manga, series and games bring to the new film a rich mythology and exciting, complex characters: all of which have captivated millions of fans, of all ages, around the globe. One of the greatest manga franchises ever created, Dragonball has an enormous online fan base and is consistently one of the most frequently searched-for terms on Google and Yahoo! Dragonball has exploded into a global phenomenon that has generated more than four billion dollars in merchandising sales. It is considered the gold standard of anime-based video games, with more than 25 different games and over ten million units sold since May 2002. The series (five hundred episodes strong) posted top ratings in Europe, Asia and the U.S. Turning a beloved global property into a motion picture event is no easy task. It took years after Twentieth Century Fox acquired the rights to the graphic novel series Dragonball to make that happen. A big-screen adaptation finally began to come together when filmmaker James Wong ("The One"), who has worked extensively in the science fiction/fantasy genre, took an interest in the property. "I read the mangas, which really sparked my interest in the property," Wong recalls. "The graphic novels take us to a fantastic world with great characters, and they’re a lot of fun." Inspired by the manga, Wong and screenwriter Ben Ramsey worked to achieve a mix of action, humor and character relationships for the new movie. "We strove to hit the right combination of the fantastic and the relatable," says Wong. Huge action set pieces, state of the art visual effects, and elaborate martial arts sequences would be key elements of "Dragonball Evolution", but there was also much to explore with the characters, their rich histories, and their evolving relationships. "I believe that the appeal of Dragonball, beyond its super-cool action, is the richly creative world that Akira Toriyama invented," says Ramsey. "There is a complexity and humanity to the superhuman characters who inhabit that world, as well as an overwhelming sense of optimism that its lead character (Goku) embellishes." The challenges in adapting Dragonball for the big screen were formidable, starting with creating a story that would satisfy the hardcore fans and introduce the world to non-fans. "So the concept was to start off in a world that felt familiar, then gradually introduce the fantastic elements of Dragonball, so by mid-movie we are in full on Dragonball mode," Ramsey notes. "The biggest challenge in adapting a manga or animated series for a live action movie is the burden of reality. Once characters are brought to life by flesh and blood humans, the rules change, if ever so slightly. Animated characters can get away with a lot more than live action characters. Writing for live action characters has to allow for nuance in dialogue, character dynamics and action." Director James Wong says the film "like the manga, is set in the near future, in a multi-cultural environment. It is a world where “future and past become one, and where race plays no significant role. To that end, the casting process for the film was, as Wong puts it, "“color blind". The production set up casting offices in Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, London, Hong Kong and Japan, "the broadest net we’ve ever thrown over a casting process." Justin Chatwin ("War of the Worlds" & TV'S "Taken") landed the role of high school student Goku, after an exhaustive worldwide search.

Goku's innocence and guilelessness are left behind when he begins his hero’s journey. "The character has a great arc; from high school nerd to the planet’s savior," says Wong. "One minute, Goku is a high school student who doesn’t fit in with his peers; the next thing, he’s on an incredible quest." Chatwin ("Taking Lives") sparked to the idea of the hero’s journey, having long been an admirer of the work of mythologists like Joseph Campbell, whose writings often dealt with the role of the hero figure. "Goku begins his journey as an everyday teen who discovers he’s meant for something more. He becomes a symbol of moral good." One of the first steps in Goku’s journey is to seek out Roshi, an elderly Master: one who's unlike any other Master cinemagoers have seen. Roshi he has an eye for the ladies and favors wearing Hawaiian shirts. According to Wong, the role required nothing less than an iconic actor who could convey the character’s many dimensions and incredible abilities. "We had to really reach high to find our Roshi, and we decided to just go for it and approach Chow Yun-Fat." Two time Golden Horse Award winner Yun-Fat Chow worked hard to capture the character’s spirit. "I’ve never had the kind of challenge I’ve had with the role of Roshi. There is so much to him: humor, action, romance, emotion. He has extraordinary powers, but he’s still funny, recognizable and human." Thrilled to be working with a cinema icon, the cast and crew were equally impressed with Chow’s work ethic off camera. He never retreated to his trailer to relax between scenes, and would often help out the camera crew. "Chow never left the set," marvels director of photography Robert McLachlan A.S.C & C.S.C. "He was like part of the crew." But to Chow, his behind the scenes work was not a big deal. "It’s how we’ve been doing things in Hong Kong since the beginning of my career in television," he pointed out. "The crews were tiny, and we always helped each other out." Jamie Chung (TV'S "Samurai Girl"), one of today’s brightest and most appealing young stars, was cast as Chi Chi. "Chi Chi is the 'It Girl': the most popular girl in high school," says Chung. "She comes from a wealthy family, and everyone expects certain things from her. But she has a second life; a secret life, marked by her passion to fight. She comes off like the girl next door, but when she turns it on, she kicks butt!" Another beautiful young woman joining Goku in his quest is Bulma, a scientist described in the manga as the 'smartest girl in the world'. The film retains the manga character’s confidence, intensity and intelligence and the fact that she knows exactly what she wants. And what Bulma wants is the Dragonball stolen from her father’s company. Wielding a laser-guided, high-tech magnum pistol and a Dragonball-tracker, Bulma will do anything to retrieve the five-starred Dragonball, which she thinks will supply an unlimited source of energy and immense financial rewards. Emmy Rossum ("Mystic River") who was cast as Bulma, appreciated the challenges of playing such a multi-faceted character whose hard-nosed, take no prisoners attitude begins to change after she joins Goku and Roshi on their search for the Dragonballs. "Bulma comes to realize that life is about much more than her personal quest," the 2004 NBR Award winning actress ("The Phantom of the Opera") Rossum. "The character in the manga and now our film is so alive, funny and spunky. She’s anything but ordinary." A bonus for the actress was learning to ride Bulma’s speedster, created from a Harley motorcycle. In their search for the Dragonballs, Goku, Roshi and Bulma face their adversary, Lord Piccolo.

. As depicted in the manga, Piccolo is a complex and intriguing figure whose journey sees him embodying both good and evil. For in the Dragonball mythos, any character can turn from good to evil, and vice versa. James Marsters, beloved to millions of fans around the world for his lengthy stint as the vampire Spike in the hit television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel", portrays Piccolo in the film. His Piccolo is the story’s antagonist. "In the film, Piccolo is a figure of decrepitude, and his goals are centered on revenge," says Marsters ("P.S. I Love You"), "but there are hints that his journey is very much an evolving process." Working with Piccolo is Mai, an exotic beauty tainted by malevolence. Her weapons of choice are throwing knives known as shiruken. Japanese-born actress Eriko, who had a recurring role as Yaeko in TV'S "Heroes", revealed she enjoyed playing a "strong, tough woman on a mission." Wong notes that Eriko gives the role a "special quality and toughness." Joon Park was cast as as Yamcha, a young man looking to get rich quickly, who traps Goku, Roshi and Bulma in the desert. Eventually, he joins them in their journey. Park, a rock star in his native Korea, has performed in front of one hundred thousand screaming fans: an experience that helped him capture the essence of the character. "Joon has all the qualities necessary for Yamcha, including charisma and a sense of mischief," says Wong. "Yamcha is tough on the outside, but inside there’s a soft heart," adds Park ("Speed Racer"). "Something in his past has scarred him, and he likes to skim across the details of life, looking for money." Their filmmakers first order of business was to get the cast in shape, followed by having them undergo an intensive program of action choreography, and finally, making the actors comfortable with the considerable wire work and acrobatics they’d be required to perform. It was an incredibly rigorous programme. 'It all got my adrenalin going," says Chatwin, who gave up sugar, wheat and pasta during his stint on the film. He spent a minimum of five hours training each day, studying karate, kung fu and a Brazilian form known as capoeira." And what kind of training is required for the actor playing one of the most powerful figures in the universe: Lord Piccolo? According to Marsters, it was drills involving punching, kicking, blocking combinations. "I thought my body would break. But the stunt team and trainers knew exactly what my body could take." The first question Wong posed to his team when he began thinking about the action fans would expect from a film based on Dragonball was: "How do we make action sequences look and feel different from what audiences have experienced before?" The answers coming from the acclaimed stunt team, 87Eleven, as well as from director of photography Robert McLachlan and visual effects supervisor Ariel Velasco Shaw, certainly pleased Wong and should delight not only fans of the property, but action movie enthusiasts as well. McLachlan contributed the suggestion of using new high-speed digital Phantom cameras to create super-slow motion for key action sequences. "We did a lot of research and development with the Phantom cameras," says the seven time recipient of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers Award (including three for TV'S "Millennium") McLachlan, who discovered the then experimental photography, on YouTube. Shooting the action scenes was no mean feat. The climactic clash between Goku and Piccolo, set at the elaborate "Dragon Temple", was executed and photographed as an all-out brawl, taking no less than ten day days to complete. Synopsis

Goku’s quest begins innocently enough in the backyard of his grandfather’s home, where Gohan is training the young man in some exotic martial arts moves. It is Goku’s 18th birthday, and Gohan’s gift to his grandson is a Dragonball, a small, round ball whose surface is smooth and pearl-like, but with a milky translucence that gives it depth. Four stars float inside the ball. There are only six others like it in the world, and it is said the seven Dragonballs together will grant the holder one perfect wish. Gohan promises to reveal all to him at the birthday dinner Gohan is preparing for his grandson. But Goku skips out on Gohan’s feast, to attend a party hosted by Chi Chi, a fellow student to whom Goku is drawn. As the two teens get to know one another, a tragedy at home is triggered by the arrival of a dark force: propelling Goku, Roshi, Bulma, Yamcha and Chi Chi into a race to collect all of the seven Dragonballs. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Goku will face the deadliest enemies on Earth, a powerful force called Ki.

The Verdict

"After seeing James Wong's "Dragonball Evolution", I can almost hear the anguished screams coming from fan-boys and fan-girls who will no doubt, be calling for his blood. For them, this live action version of the highly successful manga will be seen as nothing less than a betrayal. But is it? From memory, it's nearly a quarter of a century since the first "Dragonball" TV series hit screens in Japan. It would be extremely difficult to fully emulate what has passed across TV screens in that period of time. There is a spirit of renewal here in this bigscreener. The cast are extremely likeable and appeal to both sexes. There's bags of good action. The comedy fits and sits well. And yes, the storyline is easy to follow. And no, you don't have to be familiar with the small screen version to enjoy this film, the logic of which is simple: One ugly evil guy. A young teenager who holds the worlds fate within himself. Seven Dragonballs. Evil ugly guy wants all seven dragonballs. Why? Combine all seven and they will grant the holders greatest desire. In other words, the fate of the world hangs on that 'age old battle' between good and evil. Does "Dragonball Evolution" hold up? Sure does. Hang about for the closing credits where more is revealed. As for a sequel. Can't wait! Very recommended. 4 STARS." Who Plays Who?

Justin Chatwin
Yun-Fat Chow
Emmy Rossum
Jamie Chung
James Marsters
Joon Park
Eriko Tamura
Randall Duk Kim
Ernie Hudson
Texas Battle
Megumi Seki
Ian Whyte
Richard Blake
Jon Valera
Rafael Valdez
Mike Wilson
Freddy Bouciegues
Shavon Kirksey
Julian Sedgwick
Luis Arrieta
Gabriela de la Garza
Rich E. Cordobes

...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...

Goku
YMaster Roshi
Bulma
Chi Chi
Lord Piccolo
Yamcha
Mai
Grandpa Gohan
Sifu Norris
Carey Fuller
Seki
Oozaru
Agundes
JoMoreno
Butler
Hildenbrand
Palmer
Emi
Mr Kingery
Weaver
Avatar
Referee

The Production Team

Director
Screenplay
Novel series
Producer
Original Music
Cinematography
Film Editors
Casting
Production Designer
Art Direction
Set Decoration
Costume Designer

...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...

James Wong
Ben Ramsey
Akira Toriyama
Stephen Chow
Brian Tyler
Robert McLachlan
Matt Friedman & Chris G Willingham
Carla Hool
Bruton Jones
Bruce Crone/Patricio M Farrell/Marco Niro
Roberto Bonelli
Mayes C Rubeo