I was a huge Dragonball (Z) fan when I was younger. I’m not one of those dudes that hang around the internet bashing this movie for Goku being too old, Roshi being beardless and having hair, etc. The original cartoon was poorly planned and quickly left its “Journey to the West” roots. I get that this is an adaptation inspired by the series. If I wanted to see the same characters the same way, I would just watch the cartoon again.
That being said, I didn’t think this movie was very good. Of course I saw it when it came out, my inner child begged me. HisNameIsFrank is absolutely right. This played out a lot like Power Rangers: The Movie. Actually I had fond memories of that movie when I was 8. I felt this was way too rushed. An hour and a half wasn’t enough. The fight scene at the end was too short. What I got from it was: The most badass dude that almost destroyed the Earth 2000 years ago was beaten by a teen’s move that he just learned like the day before.
I’m not knocking it because it was simply too short, but I felt it left a lot to be desired. I also thought the actor playing Yamcha was horrible. When we first hear him from above the hole, it’s like someone doing a bad cowboy accent. Don’t buy the Asian cowboy bit.
It did have some moments that were quite cool, though. The fight at the party around the car was pretty excellent. Other than that, I’d say this was on par with the Dead or Alive movie.
