io9: goku

Dragonball Clips Market The Chi-Chi On Chi-Chi Action

Meredith Woerner — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:00:00 PDT

Hey it's the tiny girl from the Real World, fighting herself, in Dragonball. Observe in total horror how the studio decided to translate this cartoon into live-action movie, complete with zany faces and Chow Yun-Fat.

The most interesting thing about these two new scenes is that the makers of Dragonball Evolution took the time to pause for the obligatory anime wince or moan during the fight scenes. It's really strange, but I guess you can't make a Dragonball movie without over-the-top humor, like Roshi yawning and blocking Goku's fists with one hand. But I worry this kind of humor will get real old, real fast.

Dragonball Evolution will be in theaters April 8.

First Action Shot From Dragonball

Charlie Jane Anders — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:20:00 PST

Someone's taken a swing at Goku's head, and he's ducked just in time, in this action shot from the new live-action adaptation of the classic anime Dragonball. I love how the rocks in the background look totally like one of the alien planets on classic Star Trek. I expect someone to start betting quatloos on Goku. Click through to find out who's punching Goku, and to see glamour shots of his pals Chichi and Mai.

It's hard to believe the back of Piccolo's head could look sillier than the front, but there you have it.

[DBTheMovie]

Fox Is Still Polishing Dragonball, As Release Date Changes Again

Charlie Jane Anders — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:00:00 PST

Just how much trouble is Fox's Dragonball movie in? Our first looks at pics and footage haven't inspired much confidence in the saga of an alien warrior's quest for the seven orbs of power. And some newly released promotional photos (see gallery below) aren't likely to change anyone's mind. Meanwhile, news comes that the film is in reshoots, and its release date — originally August 2008 — has changed once again. Click through for details and pics.

IGN (which is owned by Fox parent company News Corp.) insists that Piccolo does turn a bit greener later on in the movie, and both he and his silly outfit evolve. Meanwhile, apparently the ongoing reshoots are helping to tweak the film, and the visual effects are still being perfected as well.

The latest change of release date is only by two days: the film will come out on Wednesday, April 8 instead of Friday, April 10. Supposedly the movie is aimed at avoiding competition from April 10 releases Hannah Montana, a thriller called Case 39, and a Seth Rogen comedy called Observe And Report. But more likely, it's geared towards inflating the opening-weekend gross and getting as many people to see the film as possible before too much bad word-of-mouth gets out.

[DBTheMovie and IGN]

Sweaty Goku Grabs His Dragonball Clip - And Turns in a Good Performance

Meredith Woerner — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:00:00 PDT

Proof that hero Goku's freaky anime hair will always look ridiculous comes in this tiny clip from the upcoming live-action Dragonball movie. This is the scene where Goku (Justin Chatwin) palms his ball and discovers his yellow duds. It all seems a lot more magical thanks to the high tension music. Still, why's Goku all glistening with sweat? Early reviews are pouring in for the live action movie, and surprise surprise it isn't that bad. Plus there's a true surprise about Piccolo's coloring. Spoilers ahead.

According to Ain't It Cool News, a secret source who saw the movie calls it "solid," even though they were weary of Fox getting their hands into this adaptation.

Apparently the Piccolo Goku fight scenes are action packed and have good references (i.e. Piccolo's gigantic sword). The reviewer seemed to love James Marsters as Piccolo and says he kicks plenty of ass and...

Oh and Picollo transforms into a light greenish color Picollo towards the end of the movie.

Well I'm certainly thankful that they're making an attempt to green him up. Also, Oozaru the giant monkey is in the movie. Goku turns into a 8-9 feet tall giant baboon when he looks at the moon. Apparently the transformation was awesome-looking though a bit too CGI.

But there was still a lot to fix:

Dragonball fans will be disapointed with some of the changes they have made with stories and characters etc. Krillin isn't in the movie, Tien isn't in the movie too. High school setting for the first 22-23 minutes was so not needed but ah well typical Hollywood garbage of adding bullshit like that.

The reviewer rips into the performances of Chow Yun Fat as Master Roshi, Jamie Chung as Chi Chi and most importantly wails about the abuse of the dragon Shenron who is hidden by clouds the entire time.

Dragonballwill be out on April 10, 2009.

[AICN]