Dragonball: Evolution

Dragonball: Evolution 2009
Director: James Wong
Writer: Ben Ramsey
Starring Justin Chatwin, Chow Yun Fat, Emmy Rossum, Jamie Chung, James Marsters and Ernie Hudson

Let me say something right up front before I review this film. I never got into the popular anime series that this film is based on, I have seen a few episodes and the series just never grabbed me. So, my review of this will be of a novice and not a fan of the series. I will be judging the film on its own merit and not the connection to the anime. That being said, I really enjoyed this, it was a light and fun action packed kung fu film with a great hammy performance by Chow Yun Fat. The choreography in the film is very good, though it could have used more fight scenes and less comedy and set up. It really helped that they picked a great actor to play the head villain, James Marsters, anything he does he brings a higher level of style and class with it than most actors can ever muster.
The plot basics are this, we meet Goku (Chatwin) who is being trained in martial arts by his grandfather. He has issues at school though, cause his grandfather will not allow him to fight back. This all changes when his grandfather is attacked by some people who are looking for something called the Dragonballs. Before his grandfather dies Goku promises him to find the great Master Roshi (Fat) and to find and protect all 7 of the Dragonballs for the evil lord Piccolo (Marsters) who wants to use them to destroy the world. He finds Roshi and teams up with other like minded fighters to put an end too the tyranny of Piccolo, but he does not know the full story and will he be able to man up enough in the end to beat him or is he doomed to failure.
This is a fun and enjoyable film. Wong's direction is light and frothy , which is a perfect match for the subject material. He never lets it get too bogged own in seriousness for its own good. The script is pretty simplistic and that works in its favor. You get enough characterization to feel for the characters but never too much that it slows the plot down. Because first and foremost this is a plot driven film. The cast is very good, with a great performance by Fat, he is very funny and as always charismatic. Marsters as the main bad guy Piccolo is great too and he chews his scenes with relish. Chatwin is a decent protagonist but he is overshadowed by these 2 actors. The action sequence and the SFX are done very well. The fight scenes are fast and furious but you never get the sense that the characters are ever in any real danger. That is good for the kids that this film is aimed at, but it may leave more adult viewers wanting more. This is a fun family friendly kung fu film, but if you are expecting anything more, you will be sorely disappointed.
This one gets 3 out of 5