Submitted by: Kristen Barghout(365) Anime Exchange Log in to become a member of Kristen Barghout's Fan Club!
This subject matter has been in the news a lot recently, so I thought that it could do with a bit of discussion.
Dragonball is one of many anime films that is to be made into a Live action movie by Hollywood. Fans of anime will undoubtedly share my apprehension about such movies...for many...many reasons.
See, the problem I have had recently with Hollywood is their lack of new films. It seems these days, that 90% of the movies released are either modernised versions of films, sequels...or remakes of Japanese and Asian cinema. I cant help but feel that my £7 into the cinema should warrant me something more than a film I have already seen, or one that I could possibly own on dvd for cheaper...and with better acting.
There, I said it...outright and brutal to some Americans, but it is one of those sentences that is required to be said, and it the root of all my negative feelings towards the current US craze of live action movies.
In my experience US remakes of Asian theatre are awful, not just bad, but truly terrible, most unwatchable! In fact the only good remake I have seen...and believe me when I say I have seen them ALL, is the Grudge, and even then I believe the success of that movie relied on the original director and actors having a role in the movie.
The news that Dragonball was to be made live action filled me with a feeling of dread and despair, for I love the whole Dragonball/z/gt series, and should Hollywood murder it like I predict they will do, i will be one very unhappy bunny! The main issue I have with the movie is the lack of any asian director...usually this would mean that Hollywood will put some random twist in it that is completely superfluos to the actual story.
Secondly, the role of Goku going to Justin Chatwin. Now im not one of those who complain that he isnt asian like in the anime, mainly because Goku was a Saiyan, not human, and can therefore be any race what-so-ever...however, why they decided to have an all Asian cast, except James Marsters and Justin Chatwin seems a bit iffy. Its almost as though they wanted an all asian cast, but were forced to have US stars in it.
Regrettably, I have also seen some images of the movie....yes...already they have been leaked. If you wish to view them, do so at your own perril on www.animezonecentral.com...you have been warned. Now, Goku no longer appears to be wearing the Gi Kame-sama gave him (for you US viewers, thats Roshi) but is wearing a t-shirt he appears to have bought from Primark...so basically put, it doesnt exactly look promissing, but I guess one can hope.
But my point remains, why is the US so set on remaking old films, or anime's when the Japanese etc are so capable of making their own. Even the Japanese Live Action films are great...Death Note is one, and it was huge over there, adn over here..if you have been lucky enough to get hold of it. It seems, all that the US cinema seems to do today is make poor quality films out of something that has the potential to be great.
So my parting words are, prove me wrong America, prove to me that you are still capable of creating a masterpiece of modern cinema! Please, dont disappoint, because it wont just be me you have to answer to, it will be MILLIONS of angry fans who have waited literally 10 years for the release of this movie...dont disappoint.
Kristen Barghout
Blog: www.animezonecentral.com
Kristen is a professional programmer, with a keen interest in all things related to anime and video games. She doesn't just like certain genre's, she likes all genre's, and will always give an honest opinion.
Kristen can't always find the time to post my articles here, but if you visit her blog, there is lots of news and reviews, so please check it out.
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