Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins is a 1989 Taiwanese live-action adaptation of the popular manga and anime series Dragon Ball. While the film received mixed reviews, it holds a certain cult following among fans of the franchise. The movie features a unique take on the familiar characters and storyline, offering a slightly different portrayal than what fans are used to. One of the main reasons this adaptation gained attention was due to its casting choices. The actors chosen to portray the beloved characters from Dragon Ball brought their own interpretations and styles to the roles. Peter Chen was cast as the leading character, Sun Wukong, also known as Goku.
The Pom-Pom Prayer Stick was invented by Louis Histed and published in his book The Magic of Louis S. Histed c. 1947 as the effect Papyrus (pg 55). The effect was made famous and very popular by the great Ali Bongo (William Oliver Wallace: 1829-2009). You can read more details about the origins here. It is really a beautiful effect full of comedy and mystery.
Slip the two halves back together again, and to show the audience that you have a miracle in your hands, resume pulling the cords as before, and take a well deserved bow. Then the great climax unexpectedly you make both cords long, then pull the tube apart to show there is no connection between the cords this amazes the audience and they show it.
Peter Chen was cast as the leading character, Sun Wukong, also known as Goku. Chen brought a youthful energy and martial arts skills to the role, capturing Goku's innocent and adventurous nature. His portrayal was a departure from the anime's Goku, but still managed to resonate with fans.
How to Do the Pom Pom Magic Trick
The pom pom magic trick uses four colored pom poms seemingly connected to each other by strings looped through a hollow tube to create an entertaining illusion perfect for parties. The magician demonstrates how pulling one colored pom pom causes a different pom pom on the other side of the pole to move. After going through his visual explanation twice, the magician separates the pole into two, and shows the audience that no strings actually connect the pom poms on either side of the pole. Mastering the trick requires learning how to use the pom pom magic pole.
Arrange the pole so one of the bottom colored pom poms hangs down while the rest sit in their starting positions against the pole. Pull on the pom pom located directly above the one hanging down to show they are connected, and then pull on the pom pom located opposite the one hanging down to demonstrate how pulling on one will raise the other. Pull on each pom pom in turn to show the different combinations of movements possible.
Narrate the trick by explaining to your audience how pulling on one colored pom pom causes another to move. Saying "Pull the black pom pom to raise the red pom pom makes the red pom pom the short pom pom and the black pom pom the long pom pom," creates a rhythm and cadence to your voice that will help the audience follow along with the trick, while distracting them from figuring out how the trick works. Repeatedly state that the pom poms are connected while explaining the trick to further develop the illusion to the audience.
Pull both bottom pom poms all the way down, and then separate the pole into two pieces to show the audience that no wire connects the two sets of pom poms. The pom poms on each end are connected by a Y-shaped string that has a magnet at the base that connects to a magnet on the opposite string. Pulling down on both bottom pom poms separates the two magnets and hides the additional string inside the pole.
Reconnect the two sides of the pole by turning the pole in a circular motion. Rotating the pole causes the weighted magnet inside to fall down towards the other end. The pom pom pole is made from a nonmagnetic metal that prevents the magnets from sticking to anything else inside the pole.
Repeat the trick, once again demonstrating how pulling on each pom pom moves another. Finish the routine by once again separating the two magnets and pulling apart both ends of the pole. After not seeing a string the first time the poles where separated, the second time showing the trick will help reinforce the illusion to your audience.
Tip
You can purchase a magic pom pom pole from most magic shops and online.
(Ok, so I didn't write the above as exactly what colors are what but I think you'll get the idea. After I get into the situation I stop talking and start trying to fix the thing by pulling on one and pulling down on another and pulling one half way up and pulling the bottom one back down, flipping the stick end for end and over etc)
Alongside Chen, Elsie Ralston portrayed Bulma, the brilliant and headstrong inventor. Ralston's performance added a touch of femininity and intelligence to the character, allowing Bulma to stand out in her own way. While her portrayal may differ from the original anime, Ralston managed to bring a unique charm to the role. Tracy Wang played Chi-Chi, Goku's love interest, and continued the trend of adding a fresh interpretation to the character. Wang's version of Chi-Chi showcased a strong and determined young woman, grounding the character with a sense of confidence and fierceness. Fan Siu-wong portrayed Yamcha, a bandit-turned-friend of Goku. Siu-wong's portrayal added a mischievous and charismatic quality to Yamcha, making him an interesting and likable character despite his initial antagonistic nature. Finally, Steve Wong played the powerful antagonist Lord Piccolo. Wong's portrayal captured the villain's menacing and cold-hearted nature, adding drama and intensity to the film. Overall, the actors featured in Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins offered their own interpretations and styles to the beloved characters from the Dragon Ball franchise. While their portrayals may differ from the iconic anime, each actor brought something unique and memorable to the film. Despite the mixed reviews, Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins remains a curious and fascinating adaptation for fans to explore..
Reviews for "Behind the Scenes: Secrets of the Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins Actors"
1. Jane Doe - 1/5 stars - I found "Actors featured in Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins" to be an absolute disappointment. The acting was wooden and forced, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters. The dialogue felt cheesy and poorly written, leaving me cringing throughout the entire film. The special effects were laughably bad, making it hard to take any of the action scenes seriously. Overall, it felt like a cheap knock-off of the original Dragon Ball series, and I would not recommend it to any fans of the franchise.
2. John Smith - 2/5 stars - As a fan of the original Dragon Ball series, I was excited to watch "Actors featured in Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins." However, I was sorely disappointed. The acting was subpar at best, with the actors failing to capture the essence of the beloved characters. The story was convoluted and poorly executed, lacking the depth and complexity that made the original series so engaging. The special effects were unimpressive and outdated, further detracting from the overall viewing experience. While there were a few entertaining moments, this film does not live up to the standard set by the original Dragon Ball series.
3. Sarah Johnson - 1/5 stars - "Actors featured in Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins" is a complete train wreck. The acting is atrocious, with the actors delivering their lines devoid of any emotion or conviction. The storyline is confusing and poorly paced, making it difficult to follow or care about what was happening on screen. The special effects are laughably bad, resembling something straight out of a low-budget 80s film. As a fan of the original Dragon Ball, I had high hopes for this adaptation, but it falls far short of the mark. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.