To be fair Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a godsend theme for me now. Why? Because for one, it’s a rather good game. But most importantly, it offers me another chance to write about the Dragon Ball franchise. One of my favorites, and a franchise I will forever look forward to write about. Similarly to The Star Wars franchise and even the Star Trek franchise. And yes. Probably one of the greatest anime characters ever, Vegeta was already on my agenda. You should check that particular post again. Here it is. But now it’s time for another project from the Dragon Ball franchise. Well, two in fact. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and DragonBall Evolution.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot VS Dragonball Evolution
The first being a rather new project from Bandai Namco, while the second one is an older project from Hollywood. A project that Hollywood doesn’t want to reminisce about. But I’ll get to that in a second. I believe a mention of the game itself before the movie adaptation is much needed here. Just to give you some context about this particular post.
What’s Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot All About?
Developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a fun, action-fighting RPG game. With probably some of the most intriguing characters of all time too. Indeed the game follows the main protagonist Goku and the rest of the Z-Fighters. But you get to do much than the usual fighting here. Other activities like fishing, collect Z orbs, eating is also allowed. And you can drive around with the hover Car, training and putting characters in soul emblems can be fun too. Furthermore, the game is broken up into four story-lines, but There are currently seven playable characters in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. Starting with Goku, and of course Vegeta. Then you have Gohan, Piccolo, Future Trunks, Gotenks, and Vegito in the end.
And yes. As you can probably tell we currently have Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot on sale right now. However, that sale is not going to last that much longer. So, hurry up and get it while it’s hot, and get your Holliday shopping done in a matter of clicks. You’re welcome.
I mean look what some of the Steam users are saying about the game:
Excellent Retrotrip for Dragon Ball Fans – must buy. Not a Dragon Ball Fan? Don’t think this will be your cup of tea. – said Pudd about the game.
If you like DBZ then you will like the game. If you don’t then why are you even here? – added IgniteTheSky.
But that’s all fine and dandy I know. How about the movie adaptation? Yes, I’m talking about the 2009 movie adaptation that’s well… A totally different story. In every possible way. And yes, because of you, I had to watch it all over again. It was a difficult task, but I muscled trough. Let’ get down to business then.
Dragonball Evolution Is A Wasted Opportunity?
I think so yeah. Given the fact that it’s based on an iconic and well-beloved franchise. Not to mention both the director and screenwriter haven’t directed/written a feature-length movie since this one. But let’s start from the very beginning.
Goku (Justin Chatwin) is a high-school senior who must unite all seven Dragon Balls of which he has one. But at the same time, he must stop the villain Lord Piccolo (James Marsters) from getting the Dragon Balls himself. And thus taking over the world. Luckily, Goku will get some help along the way. Thanks to the training from Master Roshi (Chow Yun Fat) and the spunky Bulma (Emmy Rossum) of course. Goku must mystical Dragon Balls before the Lord of evil does, and therefore save the world as we know it. However, that won’t be an easy task.
It’s Bad, But It Could Have Been At Least Decent
I know I’ll get some wrath about this, but the biggest culprit (of all the culprits in this movie) is the script. I know, I know… The direction, the CGI, the action and of course the acting are not too stellar either. But with a slight improvement of the script, this movie could have been at least decent. It’s the movie’s biggest downfall and it’s the sad truth. There’s barely any plot in the entire movie, and when there is, it’s either so removed from the OG material. Or it’s so dumbed down that it doesn’t make any sense. The movie as it is looks like it was made by people who haven’t even seen an episode of Dragon Ball Z. Which in all fairness is a regular occurrence in the modern-day adaptations. Regardless if it’s comic book adaptations, video game adaptations, or anime adaptations.
Rushed And Miss-Understood
I believe that’s the keyword in DragonBall Evolution. Or cheap, and even compressed. Whatever ever-way you feel the most fitting, some of these adjectives will probably work for this half-baked mess. The script seems rushed, and underdeveloped and especially the characters in that script. I feel for Chow Yun Fat and especially James Masters about what has been done to their characters because they’re not even remotely similar to the characters from the anime. But hey, they at least dressed Master Roshi in a Hawaiian shirt. And made him slightly raunchy and perverted too. But none of the characters have that much in common with the source material. Bulma, Mai and yes. Piccolo too. Which is a shame, because I’m a huge James Masters fan.
The CGI in the fight scenes is rushed as well, and it clearly shows. In almost every scene. But the plot man. Oh, the plot. Much like the characters’ development, the plot is severely lacking in development too. Cliche, repetitive lines are thrown in among the remnants of a plot, and I suppose they called it a day. It’s cheesy as it gets, but not in a good way.
The Acting Isn’t Glorious As Well
Honestly, that’s an understatement here. Chow Yun Fat is probably the only one giving a damn about his character, and the only one trying to make the most of what he’s given. And probably along with Masters the only ones who did some acting here. This is what I can’t say about the much younger part of the cast. Jimmy and Fiona (sorry Goku and Bulma) and paired horribly and Chi Chi is barely in 4-5 scenes to make any difference.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot And Dragonball Evolution
Dragonball Evolution is not a good movie. In fact, it’s as bad as it gets, with very few redeeming qualities. if any, but that’s debatable. It certainly doesn’t measure the quality of the anime, but to be honest it certainly doesn’t measure to any other anime adaptation. Perhaps 3-year-old children can enjoy it, but fans of the anime… Not so much. This is a hard pass.
