Live Action Movie Discussion Thread

Adamant · Post by **Adamant** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:20 pm

Dragon Ball Daisuki wrote: Neither Norman Osborn or Otto Octavius are "good men gone bad".

Actually, Octavius was a rather good-natured, if somewhat eccentric, scientist who got severe brain damage after getting caught in an atomic explosion, and Osborn, while he was always a self-centered asshole, wasn't criminal until he too got brain damage from the goblin serum. Their movie origins weren't that far off their comic book origins.

Dragon Ball Daisuki · Post by **Dragon Ball Daisuki** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:33 pm

Haha. I'll take "dreamer" over "cynicist" any day. Thanks for the compliment. I'll explain some of my opinions a little better.

1.

Who would these "multiple characters" be? Bulma and Yamcha are both in their 20s. There's only Chi-chi, as far as I can tell.

This is just an open-ended plot device. It applies to Chi-chi, obviously, but it can be extended to any other character(s) the creators want to throw in at the beginning of the movie. Really, this is more wishful thinking for Movie Kuririn.

2.

"Goku is considered uncool and unpopular at school, but he is in fact an extremely talented martial arts fighter"
If that school was about martial arts, why would he be considered "uncool and unpopular"?

For roughly the same reason that many academically-minded students of normal schools are ostracized by their peers. They feel alienated by the gap in their ability. Ultimately, Goku's the kind of guy everyone else would like to see mess up. The fact remains that the bulk of the student body would have almost nothing in common with him.

3.

Yes, the characters are familiar archetypes, there's no getting around that. But I hate to break it to you, those archetypes were around for hundreds of years before Star Wars. They are the basic character types that people best relate to. You'll find a variation of them in almost every story. Does this alienate the Dragon Ball fanbase? A little. But ultimately, it doesn't spell doom, either.

4.

Mai was a minor character in the anime/manga, so I can understand why you might assume she's just there for sex appeal, but it's even more likely that the filmmakers wanted to avoid the money/creativity involved in creating prosthetics or special effects for a winged demon. I think this is understandable. The line that read "[Mai] later saves Piccolo from Master Roshi's curse; once she is revealed she ends up in the fight of her life" lead me to believe we're talking about the Mafuba.

5.

Regarding Kame-sennin... remember, this is a CASTING CALL. How many older, veteran actors do you think are really going to take a role seriously that's being described as "a lecherous old man who loves to cop a feel!" Come on. I think the character description nailed Kame-sennin perfectly. I hope seriously I'm not alone in that belief.

6.

Perception is reality. If you want to believe the director/writers/actors haven't read Dragon Ball/don't care about Dragon Ball/are just out to fill seats and make gobs and gobs of cash MWUAHAHA ... then you're going to read into everything through that prism. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. None of us have seen enough to determine the degree to which the creators care about the franchise, so personally, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt. I think this is a good philosophy for life in general. Give people the benefit of the doubt if you don't know for sure.

In conclusion, I guess I'm just sort of appalled by the extent to which a lot of people generalize things about Hollywood and sexual innuendo. Every good comic book movie was produced by a big-name studio, not an independent filmmaker, and they all managed to tell a bigger story. And regarding the innuendo...

It still baffles me to no end how so many people are equating "Mai shapeshifts into Chi-Chi to confuse the good guys" to "Mai seduces Goku". Seriously. Where does it say that? I think we're all just projecting our negative energy on to this thing.

I'm not saying the plot is perfect, or even how I would have done it, but the fact of the matter is that it's FINE. So what if it's not the fantasy epic we all had in mind? It can still be a damn good movie. That was my message.

Shenron · Post by **Shenron** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:47 pm

actual Humans who, for their own reasons, joined them and call themselves Namek-jin just as Piccolo called himself a Demon simply because he was evil.

Ahem, Piccolo Daimao is the evil part of a Namek, so he is pure evil. As a matter of fact, he is a demon.

Since this is the 1st fact in the last seven pages of speculations, I thought it was important to be accurate

DaemonCorps · Post by **DaemonCorps** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:49 pm

Awesome post in the movie's defense, Dragon Ball Daisuki. When this movie news comes up, most people (myself included) always seem to forget how preliminary all the stuff we're being given is.

Now with that idea finally wrapped around my head, I think I'm actually getting pretty excited about this movie, in the sense that I can now sincerely believe that it has the potential to be pretty awesome, regardless of how "out there" it'll be in comparison to the manga.

Also, I completely missed the whole hinting at Roshi's Mafuba before. Do you think they'd still stick with the whole idea of a rice cooker serving as his prison, or do you think they'll just make it something like the bottle that the later Piccolo uses in the last Budoukai in DB? Goku also seems to be replacing Tenshinhan's role in the King Piccolo Saga.

And I agree that Goku's birthday with just Chi-chi would be a bit too strange, unless they do something like give Goku an entire family, but I think that'd be going a bit too far.

... and yeah, I think that was a "my bad" on my behalf for the whole Piccolo humanoid thing

.

Olivier Hague · Post by **Olivier Hague** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:04 pm

Dragon Ball Daisuki wrote:Yes, the characters are familiar archetypes, there's no getting around that. But I hate to break it to you, those archetypes were around for hundreds of years before Star Wars.

Yeah, thanks, I know about Joseph Campbell...
But this goes well beyond mere "similarities", here. These guys are making Star Wars. With kung-fu and a love interest for the main character for added appeal.

Mai was a minor character in the anime/manga, so I can understand why you might assume she's just there for sex appeal, but it's even more likely that the filmmakers wanted to avoid the money/creativity involved in creating prosthetics or special effects for a winged demon.

Well, I guess we simply have different opinions about what's "more likely"... ^^;

I think this is understandable. The line that read "[Mai] later saves Piccolo from Master Roshi's curse; once she is revealed she ends up in the fight of her life" lead me to believe we're talking about the Mafuba.

Yeah, if they decide to keep that. I wouldn't bet the farm on it, really.

Regarding Kame-sennin... remember, this is a CASTING CALL. How many older, veteran actors do you think are really going to take a role seriously that's being described as "a lecherous old man who loves to cop a feel!" Come on.

I... I don't think anybody would take this movie "seriously" based on the casting sides as they are right now. ^^;

I think the character description nailed Kame-sennin perfectly.

Well, I don't.

Perception is reality. If you want to believe the director/writers/actors haven't read Dragon Ball/don't care about Dragon Ball/are just out to fill seats and make gobs and gobs of cash MWUAHAHA ...

See above... That's what I think is "more likely".
Heck, I would be extremely surprised, otherwise...

None of us have seen enough to determine the degree to which the creators care about the franchise

The way the original series has been handled in the states... The limbos the project has been in for years... The choice of the director... The casting sides... Hell, the mere fact they decided to turn Dragon Ball into a live action movie (how Hollywood of them!)...
On the plus side though... Wait, I don't see anything on the plus side.
Soooo... that's enough for me.

personally, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt. I think this is a good philosophy for life in general. Give people the benefit of the doubt if you don't know for sure.

I've got a bridge I'd like to sell you. :þ

I'm not saying the plot is perfect, or even how I would have done it, but the fact of the matter is that it's FINE.

"The fact of the matter"?
That's just your opinion, and mine differs greatly.

Tanooki Kuribo · Post by **Tanooki Kuribo** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:16 pm

I hope that character list is not complete. There is no Krillin, Tien, Puar, Oolong, Launch (Lunch), Kami, Mr.Popo...

Xyex · Post by **Xyex** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:33 pm

Shenron wrote:
actual Humans who, for their own reasons, joined them and call themselves Namek-jin just as Piccolo called himself a Demon simply because he was evil.
Ahem, Piccolo Daimao is the evil part of a Namek, so he is pure evil. As a matter of fact, he is a demon.

Since this is the 1st fact in the last seven pages of speculations, I thought it was important to be accurate

Piccolo is the 'evil' of a Namek given Namekian form. He never truly was a demon. Demonic, yes. Demon, no. That's like saying that Oozaru Goku is a demon or Majin Vegeta a demon.

I hope that character list is not complete. There is no Krillin, Tenshinhan, Puar, Oolong, Launch (Lunch), Kami, Mr.Popo...

Krillin might get added later but I have doubts Tien will be in. Puar and Oolong are definately going to be written out. Hell, even I wrote them out of my in-the-works movie script I've been doing for fun. I doubt Popo will be in, but Kami could likely get a cameo appearance if nothing else.

Also, I completely missed the whole hinting at Roshi's Mafuba before. Do you think they'd still stick with the whole idea of a rice cooker serving as his prison, or do you think they'll just make it something like the bottle that the later Piccolo uses in the last Budoukai in DB?

I'm not really expecting either. I've got a feeling it'll create it's own 'prison' instead of trapping the person inside of something pre-existing. I'm thinking this might be what the Dragonballs are for, to break the original prison. Could be entirely off though and only coming up with that idea cause I've already got it down as how it happens in a set of Fanfics I recently started. >.>

Rocketman · Post by **Rocketman** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:36 pm

Tanooki Kuribo wrote:I hope that character list is not complete. There is no Krillin, Tenshinhan, Puar, Oolong, Launch (Lunch), Kami, Mr.Popo...

Two. Hour. Movie.

Xyex · Post by **Xyex** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:38 pm

Rocketman wrote:
Tanooki Kuribo wrote:I hope that character list is not complete. There is no Krillin, Tenshinhan, Puar, Oolong, Launch (Lunch), Kami, Mr.Popo...
Two. Hour. Movie.

Just admit it, you were staisfied as soon as you saw Chi-Chi would be in it.

MyVisionity · Post by **MyVisionity** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 6:06 pm

Xyex wrote:
Shenron wrote:
actual Humans who, for their own reasons, joined them and call themselves Namek-jin just as Piccolo called himself a Demon simply because he was evil.
Ahem, Piccolo Daimao is the evil part of a Namek, so he is pure evil. As a matter of fact, he is a demon.

Since this is the 1st fact in the last seven pages of speculations, I thought it was important to be accurate
Piccolo is the 'evil' of a Namek given Namekian form. He never truly was a demon. Demonic, yes. Demon, no. That's like saying that Oozaru Goku is a demon or Majin Vegeta a demon.

Majin Vegeta and Oozaru Goku were both different versions of one character. Piccolo isn't simply an evil version of another character, but an entirely new creature born out of the evil of another. He's a Namekian because the original was, and a demon because he is the embodiment of pure evil.

BlueSky · Post by **Kaboom** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 6:30 pm

Hey, Daisuki, thanks for trying to knock some sense into this discussion. It's all the same "adaptation = okay" point that I've been trying to make, but you're apparently a LOT better at picking it apart than I am. >_<

Xyex · Post by **Xyex** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:44 am

MyVisionity wrote:Majin Vegeta and Oozaru Goku were both different versions of one character. Piccolo isn't simply an evil version of another character, but an entirely new creature born out of the evil of another. He's a Namekian because the original was, and a demon because he is the embodiment of pure evil.

He has no demon blood, just Namekian. He's the darker thoughts and desires of a Namek who just happens to be god of Earth which is nothing more than a job in Dragonworld. Granted, Oozaru Goku's not a great example, but Majin Vegeta is. Majin Vegeta is all of Vegeta's evil brought out of him and in control. No, he didn't split like Kami did but it's the same idea, only the personality changes instead of spliting into two.

Chuquita · Post by **Chuquita** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:18 am

I'm dying to know what Mike, Meri, and Julian have to say on all this. I've been craving feedback from them about this "live action" movie ever since the thread exploded earlier this week.

I'm hoping the reason none of them have posted is because its being saved for the podcast.

ReiMehari · Post by **ReiMehari** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:27 am

Chuquita wrote:I'm dying to know what Mike, Meri, and Julian have to say on all this. I've been craving feedback from them about this "live action" movie ever since the thread exploded earlier this week.

I'm hoping the reason none of them have posted is because its being saved for the podcast.

I'm hoping for a rant. It'll be sweet.

Rocketman · Post by **Rocketman** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:01 am

Xyex wrote:Just admit it, you were staisfied as soon as you saw Chi-Chi would be in it.

<_< >_>

You can't prove anything!

Xyex · Post by **Xyex** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:30 am

Rocketman wrote:
Xyex wrote:Just admit it, you were staisfied as soon as you saw Chi-Chi would be in it.
<_< >_>

You can't prove anything!

Ha! I knew it!

Hmmm, wonder if they'd consider casting that Chi-Chi cosplayer everyone liked for the role... nah, probably a bad idea, about a quarter of the board would die from bloodloss. >.>

Gaiash · Post by **Gaiash** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 3:56 am

Rocketman wrote:
Xyex wrote:Just admit it, you were staisfied as soon as you saw Chi-Chi would be in it.
<_< >_>

You can't prove anything!

Just you wait, they'll ruin your beloved Chichi too.

The S · Post by **The S** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 5:00 am

Xyex wrote:
SaiyamanMS wrote:
Tragically, Gohan is struck down by the high ninjas of the Namek-Jins, and as he dies he sends his grandson out to do face his destiny and do battle against them...
<image snipped>

Any and all blame for this should go to Conan for convincing me to do this. >_>

(Also, it'd look better it it wasn't a half assed job at 1:30 AM. XD)
It's the Teenage Mutant Ninja Nameks!

Fuck yeah!

Seriously though... if any of this information is true, I'm officially scared. What I do hope for, though, is decent action figures and maybe a video game.

tarrin4ever · Post by **tarrin4ever** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 5:59 am

I wonder if they'll keep in Goku's tail...

Xyex · Post by **Xyex** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 6:17 am

tarrin4ever wrote:I wonder if they'll keep in Goku's tail...

There's no indication they have. And besides, Goku didn't have it anymore when he was 18 anyway.

Kanzenshuu

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