Last night, the movie bloggers and I went to watch Dragonball Evolution at The Block. Links to their reviews will be listed at the end of this post.

I actually had fun, believe it or not. And let me express, before anything else, my gratitude to SM Cinemas for treating us to a premier screening of this film. And on the D-Cinema, no less.

Anyway.

Let this be known: Dragonball Evolution is NOT a film adaptation of Dragonball. Not even close. It’s a movie based on Dragonball. Some elements and names were used, but the movie was much too different from the original series to be called an adaptation.

Like most of the people I know, the moment I saw one of the initial posters of Dragonball Evolution, I thought, “Oh, Lord, please, NO!” Sorry, but the poster then spelled “low-quality movie” in big, bold letters. For months, I was fully convinced that I would NOT pay to watch this movie. That’s why I’m so grateful to SM for letting us see it for free.

Was it good? No.
Was it terrible? I wouldn’t say that…
Was it bad? Kinda. But not as bad as I had thought it would be.

Wanna know why? Because most of the comedic parts were really funny. I mean, within the first fifteen minutes, I caught myself laughing heartily at the comedic dialogue and the banter between the characters. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that it was hilarious, but it was enjoyable, nonetheless.

Sadly, though, as the movie progressed, the comedy became a bit more lame (why, Chow Yun-Fat? Whyyyyyyy?) and the serious parts were…well…comedic. No, seriously, I swear. At the serious parts, I was either rolling my eyes or laughing. Most unconvincing.

But I don’t quite understand how this happened. I mean, the actors, although not exactly having phenomenal careers, did okay in their other movies. And the director? I liked his other movies. The One, for example, was an entertaining action movie. Maybe it’s their combination that didn’t work? Maybe the budget? Or maybe it’s the casting, because, come on: even if the actors were good, if you’re not the right actor for a role, then your character will suck.

I think that’s the film’s major mistake. The casting. And the effects. Aiyayay.

I must admit, though, that the Kamehameha wasn’t that bad at all. It was pretty good. (Might be because we were in the D-Cinema?) But the other effects? Argh. Not as ancient as Power Rangers, but very substandard, given what you can do with technology today.

My verdict: 2 stars out of 5. Not a complete waste of time, but can still be enjoyable, somehow. Just…don’t expect to be wowed by anything. It’s actually worth watching, whether or not you’re a fan, just so you can see it first-hand instead of basing your opinion on what other people say.

Dragonball Evolution will open in local cinemas, including the D-Cinema at SM North EDSA, on April 11 2009.

Anyway. Check out me fooling around in front of the huge poster lol. And here are the bloggers with me, and their reviews:
Brian – Dragon Ball Evolution at SM The Block’s D-Cinema
Loraine – Dragonball Evolution
Joy
Edelweiza – Movie Review: Dragonball Evolution, Anime-Inspired Action-Thriller Film by James Wong
Edwin
Jori
Paolo – Dragonball Evolution
Jed – Dragonball Evolution: Movie Review
Vit

Many thanks to Azrael and the Movie Bloggers Club!