Am I the only one left?

[DBZ MAN]

I don't mine minor changes like them myself. I'm still a huge Spidey fan but I just shrug those changes off.

They aren't minor. Spidey 'quits' in movie 2. Why? Ben died, and MJ got captured... once? What a cry baby.

In the original story, Gwen Stacey is Pete's real girlfriend. He loves her and she reciprocates. That's a huge emotional bond. Then the Green Goblin kidnaps her, and she ends up dieing falling off the bridge. Pete has failed. The woman he loved has died, all because he's Spiderman. That's a huge emotional blow. Even after that, he doesn't quit.

In the movie he's late for pseudo-dates with MJ. Big deal, suck it up Spidey.

Well They can't make 533 movies They cannot EXACTLY redo the events, There is too much background They'd have to go through. The only thing I dissagree with in the movie is that Spidey/Peter are not as happy go lucky as his comic book counter part. Though I'm sure realisticaly he has to concentrate while fighting.

[desirecampbell]

I'm just worried that a DBZ movie will do the same thing.

I'm worried they'll try to shove as much recognizablr stuff as possible into the first movie. And then stuff some more. I know Mary Jane is more popular, but that wasn't her story. And because they changed it to MJ they had to let her live. And that means the whole emotional impact of Gwen's death is lost completely. I can't think of what they might do to DBZ, but I'm sure it'll be ham-fisted and ugly.

I'm also worried they'll hire bad actors to try and bring life to already lively characters. Spiderman's wooden acting pissed the hell out of me (with the noteablr exception of Willem Dafoe). I'd hate to see a really serious or dull Goku.

I'm really worried about the over use of CGI. Especcially the fight scenes. The Matrix Revolutions died in the final fight because it looked terrible and there was no emotion. The reason you hire actors is to put emotion into the movie. Any time Spiderman was CGI the mood completely changed. It was dull and static (though still more lively than Tobey Maguire).

All in all, there's very little hope for a good DBZ movie.

[DBZ MAN]

I can see your point but it's hard to emote through a mask but I think someone cherpier could have done the Parker scenes like Jack Gyllenhaal. And I think it would have to be CGI for the most part of the fights but if you break it up in parts it can be done reasonably well. I also think that no director who is not interessted or heard of the series would not dare touch the franchise as there is way too much background that DBZ has. It would also have to be cut down a lot but still be a long movie (and I mean Peter Jackson long) to fully get the most out of each saga. Maybe they could hire non-famous but experianced actors to play the roles. What kind of traits do you think the actor will have to pull to make a good Goku?

[desirecampbell]

The actor who plays Goku would have to be an actor. Toby Maguire sucks, Jake Gyllenhaal isn't terrible, but still wouldn't be my first choice.

I'd find an unknown teenage actor who was willing to go through massive training to become Spiderman. If I directed 'Spiderman' there would be no CGI character models. It isn't that hard to rig an actor to a harness and film him against a green screen.

I still can't forgive Rami for filming fight and chase sceens totally in CGI - it's just stupid.

[tarsonis]

I cannot possibly see them condensing all four main DBZ sagas into one movie. What I see them doing is taking some of the same characters, changing their backgrounds a little, and making a completely new story.

I agree about the use of CGI. It's unecessary to use it when the same things could be accomplished using real actors, stunts, and pyrotechnics. CGI, even though it's improved immensely in the past few years, still doesn't have what it takes to reproduce the real thing.

[DBZ MAN]

I have to dissagree with the actors using harness behind a green screen to replace the CGI shots. It would just look silly. Thats why they have to use CGI in the first place. They would have thought of using the actor first (because of cost) but would then resort to using CGI. People don't give as much credit as they deserve. It's just comes down to a question of taste really.

[TripleRach]

I think the technology definitely exists to make a visually-faithful and impressive film. But I don't think there's enough interest in the series left to earn back the kind of production costs it would take.

Plus, I'm also in the group that doubts there will be much faithfulness to the story. At best, I figure it would end up like one of Toei's animated movies. At worst, Gokuu would end up as some guy whose little brother was killed, and now his entire life is based around a thirst for blood and vengeance.

[ShadowAssailantX]

I'm curious; would you guys rather see a live-action movie made of Dragonball or Dragonball Z?

Personally, I'd rather a new attempt be made at Dragonball. It would be much more "realistic" seeing as they wouldn't need to use a monumental amount of special effects. Plus the character designs for everyone in DBZ, heroes and villains alike, would look ridiculous in a real world setting; after Dragonball all the enemies are either aliens or someone's creations, and if cosplay is any indication, this doesn't work to well. The downside is that a Dragonball movie wouldn't have the energy that a Z movie would produce. But it's a mixed bag, because if the directors failed to portray the action right, it wouldn't have any energy anyway.

And on the subject of changes to the story, it's necessary for a franchise making its way to the big screen to alter the original events or take liberties with the original story to create a "better", more movie-like experience. This is the reason why most people are so skeptical on the idea of a live-action movie in the first place. However, Dragonball isn't exactly an unknown property. People know the original story, and it wouldn't hurt to change it, if done the right way of course. And while it is doubtful, it still remains possible, and shouldn't be immediately dismissed. Sure Spiderman's story was changed for the movie, but it's not like all the kids who grew up on the comic immediately forgot the original events after watching it. And even for those of you that say the movie failed in telling the Amazing story like it was written, it succeeded in getting the general public interested in Spiderman again. Hopefully the same will hold true for a live action Dragonball movie.

[wannywan]

Frankly I'd rather not see a live action DBZ movie. Sure, one as good as the X-Men and Spider-Man movie would be great, but if it's anything like say the Daredevil and/or Fantastic Four movie it could really badly damage DBZ's image and frankly I'd rather have no movie than the latter.

Actually, it's movies like X-Men and Spider-Man that make me dread a live action DBZ.

Mary Jane lives next door? Webs come out his wrists? Where's Gwen Stacey? Mary Jane's going out with JJ's son?

Wolverine and Sabertooth don't know each other? Magneto's a frail old man? Mistique doesn't recognise Nightcrawler?


I just can't take it.


edit -

I keep picturing a DBZ movie with Gohan meeting a 5 year-old Videl.... sigh.

I totally agree, a live action movie (or series) would definitely have to take some liberties.

I can imagine myself in the cinema, after dragging along a couple of friends who aren't into DBZ. I start fuming halfway through as I realise they will probably never get into the original story, whether they liked the movie or not.

This is because the movie will probably be their only experience of the life of Son Goku and friends.

Can you imagine if the movie was treated like the Lord of the Rings Trilogy? At the end, Goku defeats Buu and thus follows 20 mins of emotional, slo-mo gush about the world returning to peace and Uub and the World Tournament don't even happen?

[Chaos Saiyajin]

I'm curious; would you guys rather see a live-action movie made of Dragonball or Dragonball Z?

Definatley Dragonball, the series that seems to get the shaft in video games and everything else. And besides, it'd probably be the easiest of the series to make without making it too corny looking.

[Mr. Announcer]

I agree, they wouldn't have to go incredibly out of their way with special effects and would be more like an old kung fu movie. Everyone likes those right? I think a movie would work better if the characters were introduced within instead of just thrown in already expecting people to know who they are. Maybe a rather condensed story with Gokuh meeting the gang for the first time with Piccolo as the main villain. Well that's just a matter of personal preference. Doubtless it would be far more successful as a DBZ movie in terms of the actual fanbase. For people that aren't even into it though, I have no idea.

[Kaboom]

I think a movie would work better if the characters were introduced within instead of just thrown in already expecting people to know who they are. Maybe a rather condensed story with Gokuh meeting the gang for the first time with Piccolo as the main villain.

Right. Precisely. I think that's what the first movie, if made would be about. Establish all the characters first, then the sequel(s) will expand the story and have more action.

[DBZ MAN]

I would have Dragonball as the prequal animation movie to the live action Z movies.

[gohan2k]

Actually, it's movies like X-Men and Spider-Man that make me dread a live action DBZ.

Mary Jane lives next door? Webs come out his wrists? Where's Gwen Stacey? Mary Jane's going out with JJ's son?......

Yeah but the webs coming out of his wrists I hear was done as a realism thing. They didn't think it would be plausible for Peter to actually build a web device, which I think makes perfect sense.

In the same way some elements of Dragonball Z may have to be changed in the same way. I think ultimately all the animal-human characters like Oolong and Puar will be cut out for this reason and Oolong and Puar don't have much of a role in DBZ anyway.

I'm concerned though about the rating the movie would get. In order to maintain the level of fighting seen in the show the movie may get an R rating which in the movie studios concern would eliminate a lot of the target audience....

But I would like to see one anyway with one covering Piccolo and then perhaps three or four sequels covering the Saiyan, Frieza, Cell and Buu sagas.

[desirecampbell]

Yeah but the webs coming out of his wrists I hear was done as a realism thing. They didn't think it would be plausible for Peter to actually build a web device, which I think makes perfect sense.

Sam Rami, who is one of my favourite directors, changed the story because he didn't understand it. That kind of thing is what scares me away from a live-action DBZ movie. If the director doesn't "get it" then it gets changed.
If they wanted to make t 'real' he should've shot web out of his ass.

In the same way some elements of Dragonball Z may have to be changed in the same way. I think ultimately all the animal-human characters like Oolong and Puar will be cut out for this reason and Oolong and Puar don't have much of a role in DBZ anyway.

I'm actually pro-'get rid of the animals'. If they started with the Saiyan Saga it'd be best to just cut Oolong, Turtle, Puar and every human-animal out of the mix. They don't play an important part after DragonBall, so don't confuse the audience.

That said, without the necessary explanation that there are many human-animal people, the Saiyan tails would seem strange, Piccolo would seem completely out of place. Everyone would assume Piccolo is an alien, instead of it being a big surprise. The human-animals are necessary to the story - but whoever directs a live action DBZ movie almost certainly will not realize that.

I have no hope.

[MyVisionity]

Yeah but the webs coming out of his wrists I hear was done as a realism thing. They didn't think it would be plausible for Peter to actually build a web device, which I think makes perfect sense.

Sam Rami, who is one of my favourite directors, changed the story because he didn't understand it. That kind of thing is what scares me away from a live-action DBZ movie. If the director doesn't "get it" then it gets changed.
If they wanted to make t 'real' he should've shot web out of his ass.

Sam Raimi is a life-long fan of Spider-Man. I doubt he had any trouble understanding the story. In fact, I believe he got it just right by injecting so much of the comic's spirit into his adaption. The webbing from the wrist made sense, because the idea of an 18-year old creating some device from scratch is too far-fetched for audiences, even if he was supposedly a genius in the books.

As far as Dragon Ball's assorted creatures like Oolong and Puar, I think those elements are essential to a big-screen adaption, mainly because unlike Marvel comics, DB is fantasy, set in a fantasy world, which I think is neccessary for a successful transition to film.

[desirecampbell]

Sam Raimi is a life-long fan of Spider-Man. I doubt he had any trouble understanding the story. In fact, I believe he got it just right by injecting so much of the comic's spirit into his adaption. The webbing from the wrist made sense, because the idea of an 18-year old creating some device from scratch is too far-fetched for audiences, even if he was supposedly a genius in the books.

As far as Dragon Ball's assorted creatures like Oolong and Puar, I think those elements are essential to a big-screen adaption, mainly because unlike Marvel comics, DB is fantasy, set in a fantasy world, which I think is neccessary for a successful transition to film.

Raimi said "the only thing I could not relate to with Peter was him being a genius" - but he made a point of having a scene with Peter and Norman Osborne talking about science, showing that Peter was indeed quite smart - I think Harry also says something about Peter being top of the class or something. There's no reason an audience couldn't have believed that - hell, if they even half believed that a genetically modified spider bite could cause mutation (how'd they explain that again?) they could believe Pete could make silly string. It was simply a bad desicion.
Regardless, the same kind of thing could happen on a DBZ movie. If the director believes that the audience won't buy ' the dead comming back to life, even though they weren't really "dead" ' thing, then there goes King Yemma and King Kai, maybe Kami, and maybe even Goku's death.

And I'd like to think that they wouldn't take out Kami because it would completely destroy the reason to go to Namek, but then I remember 'X-Men'. Wolverine and Sabertooth don't know each other? Okay, they're just not going to go into the 'Weapon X' storyline. Oh, that's 'X-Men 2'? Huh? How? Oh, just call it 'Weapon X' and not actually be 'Weapon X'.

[DBZ MAN]

Wolverine and Sabertooth don't know each other? Okay, they're just not going to go into the 'Weapon X' storyline. Oh, that's 'X-Men 2'? Huh? How? Oh, just call it 'Weapon X' and not actually be 'Weapon X'.

Actualy there was a comic tie-in that Marvel published between X-Men and X-Men 2 where it is shown that Sabortooth and Wolverine do have a relationship between each other it's just that Wolverine cannot remember it. And also Lady Death Strike from X-men 2 was Logan's wife once upon a time (If I rememberd correctly )

[desirecampbell]

Wolverine and Sabertooth don't know each other? Okay, they're just not going to go into the 'Weapon X' storyline. Oh, that's 'X-Men 2'? Huh? How? Oh, just call it 'Weapon X' and not actually be 'Weapon X'.

Actualy there was a comic tie-in that Marvel published between X-Men and X-Men 2 where it is shown that Sabortooth and Wolverine do have a relationship between each other it's just that Wolverine cannot remember it. And also Lady Death Strike from X-men 2 was Logan's wife once upon a time (If I rememberd correctly )

That another thing I forgot... the original story will usually bend to the will of the movie :O
Superman, while not my favoutite comic, was still one I considered well done. They had changed the story (oh, the golden age) many times and, just for consistency, needed to revamp the whole thing - that's what "Crisis on Infinite Earths" was for. After that Supes wasweaker, more 'human' in many respects (power-wise, as well as emotionally) and a lot of the key characters and relationships were changed, for example, Luthor was now a businessman (not a scientist) who had never been to or heard of Smallville or it's residents before meeting Clark Kent in Metropolous. The 'Smallville' TV series changed most of the reationships (in just the way I've been saying is wrong) so everyone knows everyone in Smallville (and 20 year olds are bald now ) - and if that wasn't bad enoug, the new "Birthright" 'Superman' arc changes the story to include everything in 'Smallville'.

I'm just worried they'll be a new release called 'DragonBall Z: the movie: the comic" where Goku avenges his little brother or some bullshit.



ps - and in the 'X-Men' movie, both Wolverine and Sabertooth fail to recognise each other - and verbally state they don't know each other. It would be acceptable for Wolverine to not remember his Weapon-X buddies as he's had memory "problems", but Sabertooth never suffered from such - Sabertooth always knew Wolverine. I haven't read the comic in years (not since just before the movie) but I'm saddened, but not surprised, to think the same thing that DC's doing to 'Superman' is hapening to 'X-Men' too.

[LauraNeatO]

If there were a DBZ movie, I'd imagine it to be in 3D.. not with real actors. There's just way too many special effects they'd have to do, and it would be tons more cost efficient if they made everything rendered in 3D than work their ways around blue screens.