Review: THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER

The Narnia films have served as child-friendly option to Lord of the Rings; that is what they are and they are honest about it. The first two books (or second and fourth depending the order you prefer) had a very straight forward formula: there is trouble in a magical kingdom, human kids are magically transported there, they face great odds followed by an epic battle, and Aslan appears at the very last minute to save the day; Voyage of the Dawn Treader, however, is quite different. The third (or fifth) book is more of a travelogue across a sea of wonders than the battle for the kingdom, like its predecessors were. And I can understand why adapting this installment would be a greater challenge than the first two. Sadly, the filmmakers did not live up to the challenge. By collapsing the story to serve formula, and not taking the time to appreciate the world of Narnia like its predecessors Voyage of the Dawn Treader turns out to be a very unimaginative film. This is very disappointing because the book is possibly the most imaginative and surreal of the whole series.

Film Review: DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION

You must understand how painful it is to publish this review; in doing so, I am confessing that I have actually spent money and time in watching this piece of feces. Why would I even go and watch such a lowly film, you ask? Well… to be honest I am not sure maybe some nostalgic sentiment won me over… maybe I had nothing better else to do. This however it is not an excuse. Staring blankly at a wall for an hour and a half is much better use of anyone’s time than going to see Dragonball Evolution.

Dragonball live-action movie continues to look awful

Following in the tradition of live-action cartoon adaptations, the new Dragonball movie (now with the not so subtle subtitle Dragonball: Evolutions) looks more akin to to a throwaway D-rate kung fu movie than it does a proper homage to the anime and manga series of the same name. Between numerous reshoots and rumors of cancellation long ago this trailer doesn't do much to tide away my already very low expectations for it. Understandably, Dragonball and its spin-off Dragonball Z are by no means high art this is looking about on par with your average video game movie. However, the film is being produced by Stephen Chow who directed and starred in the awesome Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle among others. Though I doubt he'll be able to save the film, much like how the Wachowski brothers failed to create a compelling Speed Racer film.

See the trailer after the jump...

Dragonball: What The Fans Have Been Waiting For?

All right, as of five minutes ago I have been the dubbed the official Opinion Editor, so you guys and galleons are going to be hearing my opinion more often. I would like to shed some light on and, duh, give my opinion on the upcoming “Dragonball” movie.

So here is the skinny on the film, they changed Goku’s age to a young adult so it wouldn’t seem cruel to have an alien beat the crap out of him. They cast James Marsters, known as Spike on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”, as the villain Lord Piccolo. Fans know Piccolo as a green alien from the planet Namek. As seen in the first screenshot, the studios have taken it in a different direction. Bulma, the American character, is lacking her blue hair. One of the biggest changes with the script is the abandoning of the anthropomorphic characters Oolong, Puar and Turtle. I guess this choice was made to make the movie seem more realistic. Yeah that’s a bunch of crap, they didn’t want to waste money on any sort of digital effect or costume.

First Released Picture of Lord Piccolo

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not that everything has to be perfect. No movie adapted from any source can get it perfect; there will always be gripes. With Dragonball, they are trying to make certain things too animated. For instance, Goku’s hair was attempted. Below is a side-to-side comparison of the animated character and the movie adaptation.

Are Either of Their Hairdos Real?

There is definitely going to be more action than Superman Returns, ahem I believe that was a burn, and the studios hope to not disappoint. The studios in Hollywood have found success in superhero movies, but now Dragonball is going to try its hand at anime adaptations. This turnout of this movie will have one of two effects. It will either do well and start different studios’ buying of anime properties to adapt and this will be the new fad or the movie won’t do well and in a few years they will try to reboot the series in order to have the first effect.

The writers of different anime know how to write fantasy stories to a constant degree of excellence, except maybe Naruto, that American writers don’t have. I’m afraid of the proverbial “Ghostrider” or “Batman and Robin” that is bound to happen to any of the other anime series that I am glad to call a fan.

I thought I was going to rip this movie a new one, but I guess my biggest worry is that it may spark a big crock of crap that Hollywood doesn’t need right now. This is definitely going to be a fan service movie, but that is about it. There hasn’t been too much promotion for this film, and with an April 2009 release, a teaser would give everyone an idea of how this movie will play out for the masses. With saga after saga of happenings in the Dragonball, Dragonball Z and Dragonball Z GT, at least 9 movies could be made in terms of different stories that can be told. I will definitely be going to see this film, who’s with me? No one? Thought so.