Dragonball Z Movie

[mr. peasant]

There may have been a fair amount of people that had watched DBE in Japan, but I know they weren't pleased with the end result.

True, but that has more to do with the overall quality than any one single element. The fact that they showed up in the first place means that they didn't completely mind the stuff that they knew about at the time (e.g. Goku is being played by Chatwin, Piccolo having no antennae).

 

[DorkyFresh]

Also, it should be pointed out that DB:E, despite its shortcomings did fairly well in Japan. This shows that there are evidently a fair number of fans there who were willing to overlook the race change.

of course there are fans that are willing to overlook Goku's race (me being one of them) however, just because they don't mind seeing a white man play the role (even though he was TOTALLY miscast) doesn't necessarily mean that seeing a white man play Goku is their preference.

What I'm getting at is that for a good number, it's probably a non-issue; especially since it's American-made and in English. If people wanted it as close a translation as possible, shouldn't they expect it to be in Japanese as well?

well...there is dubbing to remedy the language barrier. as for DBE's performance, i don't see how you can draw any conclusions about fans' opinions on Goku's race based on DBE's performance. yes, it did FAIRLY well in Japan but it should've been a smash hit. the fact that it dropped down in the box office soon afterward not only discredits any argument that fans would accept a white Goku, imo it actually gives credit that fans would rather see a non-white actor play Goku.

when all is said and done, you simply cannot base the fans' preference of actor on the box office performance of a movie.

Also, with regards to Dragon Ball's cultural significance, it is true that it is big and well recognised. However, it should be pointed out that there have been many anime and manga out in Japan before DB came about. The reason it has such a significant role in the West is because it was one of the first anime to be widely available State-side. However, in Japan, there are other franchises that have held a bigger impact over there despite lower levels of popularity overseas. Take for instance, the character Doraemon, who is officially recognised as a cultural ambassador for Japan. And then, there's Gundam...

Doraemon and Gundam aren't seen as superheros the way Superman and Thor are. however, Goku fits perfectly into the 'superhero' category. yes, Japan has a lot of other very popular characters but Goku is one of the few INTERNATIONALLY known superheros that Asia has created. so, again, i think it's very understandable for many fans to want to see him played by an Asian actor.

True, but that has more to do with the overall quality than any one single element. The fact that they showed up in the first place means that they didn't completely mind the stuff that they knew about at the time (e.g. Goku is being played by Chatwin, Piccolo having no antennae).

i'd argue that the fact that they showed up in the first place means that they had low standards/expectations for how a DB movie should be made and/or are fans that will love ANYTHING that has the name "Dragon Ball" attached to it. there are rabid fans for every successful franchise, but that doesn't mean all of those fans are logical.

 

[Alchemyst]

Also, I remember prior to the film's release, they had a japanese trailer and they weren't too fond of it then but they were still willing to see it. Point blank, they just need a director who has really good knowledge of DBZ and the source material, a cast that can deliver, and a fair amount of CGI that can bring that universe to life.

 

[mr. peasant]

of course there are fans that are willing to overlook Goku's race (me being one of them) however, just because they don't mind seeing a white man play the role (even though he was TOTALLY miscast) doesn't necessarily mean that seeing a white man play Goku is their preference.

Not saying that. Just that the issue of race is evidently not enough of a deal maker one way or another. Ultimately, what I'm trying to get at is that for a good number of people, I reckon they don't hold the race issue as pivotal to their liking the movie. Rather, they likely realise that there are a great number of larger, more important factors to consider (i.e. the movie could still be good despite the main character's race not being to their preference). If you ask me, the production team and executives played a much, much bigger role in the movie's lack of success.

 

[DorkyFresh]

the ethnicity of the actor who plays Goku is, of course, not the biggest issue regarding filiming a DB movie...and no one ever said it is. i totally agree with you when you say that there are more important aspects to worry about and i don't know what makes you think differently. however...the issue of ethnicity was brought up and is being discussed. just because it's not the most important aspect of the movie doesn't mean it shouldn't be discussed.

 

[Rob Lobo]

Takeshi Kaneshiro as Piccolo

 

[GoblinWhirlwind]

Luke Goss' Prince Nuada is a great base for Piccolo.

 

[wattabrownsound]

Would it be unwise to do an opening where baby Goku escapes the destruction of his home planet just because the Superman movie has something very similar?

 

[wattabrownsound]

I only watched DBZ but am watching DB right now. I'm two episodes in. Gotta say I like the dynamic between Goku and Bulma, would have like to see that captured in the movie. But I guess that only would have worked if Goku was a kid and Bulma was...Bulma.

 

[wattabrownsound]

If Star Wars had all those weird creatures and aliens and people embraced it I guess why not fill a dragon ball movie with all their weird creatures too?

They wouldn't be out of place with Goku sporting a tail and Korin and aliens like Piccolo.

If Star Wars did it why not a Dragon Ball movie?

 

[GoblinWhirlwind]

To a point... I don't want those goofball dinosaurs. As long as they make them realistic, that would kick-ass.

 

[wattabrownsound]

I agree with avoiding the dinosaurs.

As I'm watching DB, I keep picturing a certain actor- who is not chinese- to play a live action Master Roshi. Ben Kingsley.

 

[GoblinWhirlwind]

For me it's John Hurt... he looked alot like him in Hellboy.

 

[Doctor Jones]

So if they made a DBZ film what saga would they use for a first film? Vegeta coming to earth and fighting Goku and that progressing?

The second film with Freeza and the third with Cell perhaps?

 

[wattabrownsound]

But if they start with the Saiyan Saga wouldn't that make Goku's life look unimportant when he grew up. Wouldn't that raise alot of questions?

 

[Alchemyst]

But if they start with the Saiyan Saga wouldn't that make Goku's life look unimportant when he grew up. Wouldn't that raise alot of questions?

His childhood could be displayed from a montage, showing highlights of his battles, his training and what not, then flash forward to him being an adult and Vejita arriving. I see DBZ as being 4, 5, and 6. DB could serve as a prequel being 1,2, and 3.

 

[wattabrownsound]

I see a DBZ trilogy being the same thing Alchemyst, like Star Wars.

If you've watched the last episode of DBGT they have a montage of Goku's life. So if they ever get that far in the movies and do a montage again- and they've done a montage of his early years say in the opening credits of the first movie- they'd be having parts of one montage in another one.

Yes, I know its stupid to think that far ahead when they haven't even made one good DB movie yet. But I'm just saying.

I guess the question is, does Goku's origin story deserve a whole movie or should it be shown in the opening credits like the Hulk's in The Incredible Hulk movie? I say Goku deserves a whole movie for his origin story.

 

[Alchemyst]

I see a DBZ trilogy being the same thing Alchemyst, like Star Wars.

If you've watched the last episode of DBGT they have a montage of Goku's life. So if they ever get that far in the movies and do a montage again- and they've done a montage of his early years say in the opening credits of the first movie- they'd be having parts of one montage in another one.

Yes, I know its stupid to think that far ahead when they haven't even made one good DB movie yet. But I'm just saying.

I guess the question is, does Goku's origin story deserve a whole movie or should it be shown in the opening credits like the Hulk's in The Incredible Hulk movie? I say Goku deserves a whole movie for his origin story.

I wouldn't mind him having an origin film, but at the same time, they should start from what people have fond memories of...DBZ, for the DBZ films, the intro's can be a montage like Spider-Man 2, once they've given a rundown continue on with the 3 DBZ films, and then go back and do 3 DB films with the first being an origin. I see the first DBZ film would have to do with Vejita and Nappa arriving, 2 would start off with a flashback of the planet Vejita being destroyed at the hands of Freezer and then go into his battle with Goku, the 3rd film can start with Dr. Gero creating the Androids and ultimately creating Cell, introduce the time travel that would explain Trunks being present as well as Cell. End with Goku dying and Gohan defeating Cell.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Sounds good to me. I like the idea of the first film. Goku trying to recognize his true identity. He first lives a good life with his wife and son, but then Vegeta and Nappa come and now Goku not only has to fight them, but also has go on a journey of reconizing where his true place is. Goku has always stood by his place on earth and his family and people before even his homeworld if I remember correctly.

I don't want a whole film with his life growing up. Dragonball seemed horrible enough. And besides, DBZ has always been the most popular. Dragonball as a show was pretty good, but my God, it's nothing like DBZ was.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

You are right. DB was nothing like DBZ, it was far superior. DB FTW!

 

[mr. peasant]

Sounds good to me. I like the idea of the first film. Goku trying to recognize his true identity. He first lives a good life with his wife and son, but then Vegeta and Nappa come and now Goku not only has to fight them, but also has go on a journey of reconizing where his true place is. Goku has always stood by his place on earth and his family and people before even his homeworld if I remember correctly.

I don't want a whole film with his life growing up. Dragonball seemed horrible enough. And besides, DBZ has always been the most popular. Dragonball as a show was pretty good, but my God, it's nothing like DBZ was.

But then... how do you explain Piccolo?

 

[Legion]

But then... how do you explain Piccolo?

Yea...and how about, you know.. the DRAGON BALLS!?

I love how everyone wants to skip to the Saiyans so they can see Vegeta and all the space action. Just forget about the story, developing the characters, and the strong friendships that were formed.

I remember when DBZ first came on tv and it aired on Sunday mornings at 8am. Even watching from the first episode you wouldn't really know what was going on with the characters. The slow pacing and censorship didn't help either. The show didn't really pick up until it started airing on toonami.

I mean how can you really enjoy a show or movie where the main character is killed right at the start. Why are we supposed to have faith this guys is gonna pull through? Who is this green guy? Why does everyone act weird around him? Why does he die for this kid? Why is his death significant?

And I don't want anyone to tell me Dragon Ball: Evolution was poorly received because it was about Dragon Ball and not DBZ. It did poorly because it was a terrible movie.

 

[GoblinWhirlwind]

Yea...and how about, you know.. the DRAGON BALLS!?

I love how everyone wants to skip to the Saiyans so they can see Vegeta and all the space action. Just forget about the story, developing the characters, and the strong friendships that were formed.

I remember when DBZ first came on tv and it aired on Sunday mornings at 8am. Even watching from the first episode you wouldn't really know what was going on with the characters. The slow pacing and censorship didn't help either. The show didn't really pick up until it started airing on toonami.

I mean how can you really enjoy a show or movie where the main character is killed right at the start. Why are we supposed to have faith this guys is gonna pull through? Who is this green guy? Why does everyone act weird around him? Why does he die for this kid? Why is his death significant?

And I don't want anyone to tell me Dragon Ball: Evolution was poorly received because it was about Dragon Ball and not DBZ. It did poorly because it was a terrible movie.

What? How hard was it to understand? I think the clue that Goku wasn't gonna just be written off was the fact that he was in every episode after the fight with Raditz... and the fact that it was agreed he was gonna be revived. You're acting like Piccolo dies for Gohan during the first episode... there was plenty of time for their bond to develop as they trained.

 

[Sentinel X]

You are right. DB was nothing like DBZ, it was far superior. DB FTW!

Dragonball is TERRIBLE. DBZ is waaayyy better...its not even funny.

I think they should just make the first 15 minutes or so about Goku's origin and the Sayin planet being destroyed. Then they should cut to his adult life and jump right into the Sayin/ Frieza saga (which would cover at least two films if it were up to me).

DBZ shouldn't be viewed as a trilogy. Its a franchise with many different sagas.
Sayin/Frieza saga - 2- 3 films
Android/ Cell saga - 3 films

Also bring on the strange creatures. Thats one of the few things that makes the DBZ universe so unique. THey should probably avoid talking dinosaurs.

 

[mr. peasant]

What? How hard was it to understand? I think the clue that Goku wasn't gonna just be written off was the fact that he was in every episode after the fight with Raditz... and the fact that it was agreed he was gonna be revived. You're acting like Piccolo dies for Gohan during the first episode... there was plenty of time for their bond to develop as they trained.

What would need some explaining is why there's this superpowered green guy who's on the 'Earthling' team and why a person who strong enough to beat said green guy be surprised when he finds out that he too is an alien.

Dragonball is TERRIBLE. DBZ is waaayyy better...its not even funny.

I never understood this sentiment. DB had a decent story that developed along with the adventures. DBZ, on the other hand, devolved into the formula as follows:

Villain shows up and kills some people.Heroes then try to fight him off only to get beaten up. Heroes train to level up beyond the previously supposed 'limit'. Heroes and villain go for round 2. This time, heroes win. If villain is still alive, becomes their ally. All those previously killed are then revived by the Dragon Balls. Fast forward a period of time (months/years/decades) and a new villain shows up and kills some people. The cycle repeats.

That's basically the story for all the different sagas for all DBZ. The motivations may change but as the series progress, the villains become less and less complex and more and more one-dimensional. That said, it's nonetheless entertaining as it's easy to digest since we know exactly what's going to happen next.