Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins is a live-action film adaptation of the beloved manga and anime series Dragon Ball created by Akira Toriyama. Released in 1989, this Hong Kong-Taiwanese production was directed by Junior Hung and dubbed in English for international audiences. The story of Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins revolves around a young boy named Goku, played by Taiwanese actor Chi Ling Chiu. Goku embarks on a quest to find seven magical orbs known as Dragon Balls, which, when gathered together, summon a legendary dragon capable of granting any wish. Along the way, Goku befriends the strong-willed Bulma, portrayed by Jeannie Tse, and the mischievous rogue Oolong. As Goku and his companions journey together, they encounter various challenges in their pursuit of the Dragon Balls.
I personally don't know which one I like better.
Adaptation Name Change All over the place; Bulma becomes Seeto, Oolong becomes Piggy, Yamcha becomes La Ping Westwood, and Grandpa Gohan is renamed, of all things, Sparkle. The plot revolves around a rag-tag group of heroes, led by Son Goku Monkey Boy in the English dubbed version trying to stop the antagonist named King Horn from using the wish-granting Dragon Balls to rule the world.
As Goku and his companions journey together, they encounter various challenges in their pursuit of the Dragon Balls. They must face off against formidable foes, including the shape-shifting villainous Minister Woo, played by Felton Wu. With their unique abilities and teamwork, Goku and his friends strive to become stronger and protect the Dragon Balls from falling into the wrong hands.
Film / Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins
Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins (七龍球 神龍的傳説 Qi long qiu Shen long de chuan shuo, "New Dragon Ball: The Legend of Shenlong") is an unofficial 1991 Taiwanese movie about the Dragon Ball franchise, with a few differences.
Okay, make that a lot of differences. The movie actually is something of an adaptation of the Dragon Ball franchise, but using different names for the characters, but otherwise is at least somewhat faithful, even if the story is more based around the Curse of the Blood Rubies movie.
An Ultimate Edition version was released in 2007, with remastered picture and sound, as well as new computer effects.
Compare with Dragon Ball: Fight for Victory, Son Goku!, a more faithful unofficial Korean live-action adaptation, and Dragonball Evolution, the 2009 American live-action adaptation which received massive negative reviews.
Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins incorporates elements of martial arts, fantasy, and adventure, staying true to the spirit of the original source material. The film features action-packed fights, magical transformations, and comedic moments that entertain both fans of the series and newcomers alike. However, Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins received mixed reviews upon its release. Some praised its efforts to bring the fantastical world of Dragon Ball to life, while others criticized its low production values and deviation from the original story. Nonetheless, the film gathered a cult following for its unique interpretation and the nostalgic charm of seeing the beloved characters in live-action form. Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins stands as a testament to the enduring popularity of the Dragon Ball franchise. Despite its flaws, it remains an interesting and entertaining adaptation that showcases the enduring appeal of the original series. Whether viewed as a standalone film or compared to other iterations, this live-action production offers a different perspective on the well-known Dragon Ball universe..
Reviews for "The Martial Arts Mastery: Celebrating Dragonball: The Magic Begins' Action Sequences"
1. Sarah - 1 star - This movie was a complete disaster. The acting was terrible, the special effects were laughable, and the storyline made absolutely no sense. I was a fan of the original Dragonball series, but this film was an insult to the franchise. I couldn't believe how poorly it was executed. Save your time and skip this one.
2. Dave - 2 stars - As a fan of Dragonball, I had high expectations for this movie. Unfortunately, it fell short in so many ways. The acting was mediocre at best, and the dubbing was so poorly done that it was distracting. The special effects looked like they were done on a low budget, and the fight scenes were poorly choreographed. Overall, it was a disappointing experience. I would recommend sticking to the original anime series instead.
3. Lisa - 1 star - I couldn't even finish watching this movie. The acting was so cringeworthy and the dialogue was incredibly cheesy. The plot was convoluted and confusing, and the whole movie just felt like a low-quality knockoff of the original Dragonball. The special effects were laughably bad, and the fight scenes were incredibly lackluster. I would not recommend wasting your time on this film.