Is DBZ the anime equivlent of a Michael Bay movie?

[AgitoZ]

No.

Even if you actually believe that the elements that make up a Michael Bay film are similar to what makes up Dragon Ball, you still shouldn't see them as equivalents. Nothing in the comic or TV series has any sense of cynicism, over inflation, or self indulgence. All those elements that get under my skin in a Micheal Bay work (besides the other sub-par elements of his films) are nowhere to be found in DB.

[thatdbzguy]

In any case, the show isn't about the explosions, it's more about the fighting, so the plot isn't an excuse for it

Not really much different. Both are things that are meant to appeal to young boys. Regardless, DBZ was made to be an action series, so yes, the plot is an excuse for the fighting to happen.

it's very upfront about what it's about.

That doesn't automatically make it okay.

Do you read a lot of 3rd grader fan fiction?

Some. I've also read fanfics that completely obliterate DBZ in terms of writing, character depth, and plot.

Toriyama's humor is still leaps and bounds above Bay's.

Pardon me if I don't see how poop on a stick is "leaps and bounds above Bay's" style of humor.

His action scenes are also far more coherent than Bay's.

Ki blast, punching/kicking, ki blast, punching/kicking, ki blast, etc. That's not really that impressive.

[ABED]

In any case, the show isn't about the explosions, it's more about the fighting, so the plot isn't an excuse for it

Not really much different. Both are things that are meant to appeal to young boys. Regardless, DBZ was made to be an action series, so yes, the plot is an excuse for the fighting to happen.

it's very upfront about what it's about.

That doesn't automatically make it okay.

Do you read a lot of 3rd grader fan fiction?

Some. I've also read fanfics that completely obliterate DBZ in terms of writing, character depth, and plot.

Toriyama's humor is still leaps and bounds above Bay's.

Pardon me if I don't see how poop on a stick is "leaps and bounds above Bay's" style of humor.

His action scenes are also far more coherent than Bay's.

Ki blast, punching/kicking, ki blast, punching/kicking, ki blast, etc. That's not really that impressive.

No the plot wasn't an excuse for anything. Fighting is part of the plot. No duh the action is a big part of it. That's not a negative. It is what it is. You are watching an action adventure show, and complaining about getting action adventure?

Toriyama has clever puns, and it's not all poop on a stick. There's stuff like the driving episode, or Goku's entire fight with Ninja Murasaki.

And I don't believe for a second you've read better third grade fanfiction. I could just as easily tell you I got to third base with Jennifer Lawrence.

You could boil Nascar down to driving in a circle, but any fan of it will tell you there's more to it than that. Any UFC fight could be boiled down to punch, kick, wrestle, etc. But there's more to it than that.

[garnetjester]

Poop on a stick is hilarious, and should've been featured more prominently in DB, like it was in Dr Slump.

[Hellspawn28]

Agree. I even find the crude humor to be funny then what Happy Madison puts in the last several years.

[thatdbzguy]

I didn't say the third grader fanfiction was better than DBZ (they're about equal), I said I had read fanfiction better than DBZ.

[garnetjester]

^That depends on personal taste though. I like Dragon Ball more than I like Don Quixote, but that doesn't automatically make it better. Different strokes for different folks and all.

[thatdbzguy]

^That depends on personal taste though. I like Dragon Ball more than I like Don Quixote, but that doesn't automatically make it better. Different strokes for different folks and all.

But the fanfictions I'm talking about are better than DBZ. Better writing, much more character depth, and intricate, mature plotlines.

[garnetjester]

Yeah, but for example, I don't like convoluted plotlines, dark brooding angsty characters or anything like that. So I would always prefer Dragon Ball over something like Evangelion.

[ABED]

My point was that I don't buy that you've read 3rd grade fanfiction that's better. It sounds more like hyperbole to knock a series. I don't buy that. You are likely lying for the purpose of knocking the show.

Why are you spending so much time discussing a show you hate? I don't get what your aim is here. I want to know, what are you getting from this forum? Is it anything positive?

[thatdbzguy]

My point was that I don't buy that you've read 3rd grade fanfiction that's better.

Once again, I didn't say that. I said DBZ was on par with third grade fanfiction, and that I've read general fanficiton that destroys it.

[ABED]

My point was that I don't buy that you've read 3rd grade fanfiction that's better.

Once again, I didn't say that. I said DBZ was on par with third grade fanfiction, and that I've read general fanficiton that destroys it.

Regardless, I don't believe you.

[thatdbzguy]

My point was that I don't buy that you've read 3rd grade fanfiction that's better.

Once again, I didn't say that. I said DBZ was on par with third grade fanfiction, and that I've read general fanficiton that destroys it.

Regardless, I don't believe you.

Why not? Do you seriously refuse to believe that there could be fanfiction better than DBZ?

[ABED]

1 - No, I don't think 3rd grade fanfiction . I'm sure there might be some good fanfiction writers out there, but is it as fun or imaginative as Toriyama? Doubtful
2 - You don't like the show, yet you're on a forum for it, which makes your posts and motivations suspect.
3 - You've claimed My Little Pony fanfiction is often better. If you like that show, go on that forum.
4 - Given how well you've supported your positions, your claim is suspicious. It sounds like hyperbole used to knock the show.

[thatdbzguy]

I never said I don't like the show, I said that I think it's terrible.

It's perfectly possible to like terrible things. Why do you think people like things like The Room and Birdemic?

[Kid Buu]

It's perfectly possible to like terrible things.

Agreed. I eat McDonalds all the time, but that doesn't mean I don't acknowledge that it's terrible food. I also love Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, but I can see why people think it's awful.

Anyway, so I asked one of the Michael Bay fanboys in my Film Studies degree class to do a write-up on why he likes Bay so I can add it to the discussion:

My take on Bay... He makes directing seem COOL. sorta like when Tarantino burst on the scene. But in some ways, amplified. He's out there living the Rockstar life banging Victoria secret models... And making movies. I think most "Internet nerds" vehemently dislike Bay even though I would argue personally that Bay shows more of a love for movies than directors like Cameron does at this point. Cameron comes off as a narcissist that had no interest in directing simple movies anymore unless they serve some higher technological purpose. A new James Cameron movie has to further the technology of cinema. It can't simply exist to tell a good story. Bay at least just wants to make movies. His talents are limited but what little he does he does very well. That's my take, as a bay defender. Take that back to your forum.

So is that how people here feel about Toriyama's series? Is there a correlation?

[Kamiccolo9]

It's perfectly possible to like terrible things.

Agreed. I eat McDonalds all the time, but that doesn't mean I don't acknowledge that it's terrible food. I also love Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, but I can see why people think it's awful.

Anyway, so I asked one of the Michael Bay fanboys in my Film Studies degree class to do a write-up on why he likes Bay so I can add it to the discussion:

My take on Bay... He makes directing seem COOL. sorta like when Tarantino burst on the scene. But in some ways, amplified. He's out there living the Rockstar life banging Victoria secret models... And making movies. I think most "Internet nerds" vehemently dislike Bay even though I would argue personally that Bay shows more of a love for movies than directors like Cameron does at this point. Cameron comes off as a narcissist that had no interest in directing simple movies anymore unless they serve some higher technological purpose. A new James Cameron movie has to further the technology of cinema. It can't simply exist to tell a good story. Bay at least just wants to make movies. His talents are limited but what little he does he does very well. That's my take, as a bay defender. Take that back to your forum.

So is that how people here feel about Toriyama's series? Is there a correlation?

That explanation works for me. Some people don't want to make or read grand, epic adventures. They just want to have fun. I see nothing wrong with that.

[ABED]

I never said I don't like the show, I said that I think it's terrible.

It's perfectly possible to like terrible things. Why do you think people like things like The Room and Birdemic?

But you don't even like it. I've never once seen you write something even remotely positive about it.

To use MMPR as an example, I agree that it's not a well written or acted show, but I can name a number of things I enjoy about it. I like the fights, giant robots, some of the music, and there are a number of well done moments.

DB, while not Breaking Bad or Rocky, is still excellent at what it does well - humor, good action, and fun and enjoyable characters.

A new James Cameron movie has to further the technology of cinema.

Anyone find it ironic that he makes a movie with the latest technology that is anti-technology? I agree about Cameron, he is an excellent writer and director, but I think his politics and message has overwhelmed his storytelling. The guy is so delusional that he believes the reason Avatar was successful because people like the characters and the story. Maybe there are some, but I don't recall anyone talking about either positively. It's all sizzle and no steak. That said, the action was still far more coherent than Bay's action. A big no no in action movies for me is when I lose a sense of what's going on, and the action doesn't come from character. Toriyama doesn't fall into that trap.

[Makaioshin]

Anyway, so I asked one of the Michael Bay fanboys in my Film Studies degree class to do a write-up on why he likes Bay so I can add it to the discussion:

My take on Bay... He makes directing seem COOL. sorta like when Tarantino burst on the scene. But in some ways, amplified. He's out there living the Rockstar life banging Victoria secret models... And making movies. I think most "Internet nerds" vehemently dislike Bay even though I would argue personally that Bay shows more of a love for movies than directors like Cameron does at this point. Cameron comes off as a narcissist that had no interest in directing simple movies anymore unless they serve some higher technological purpose. A new James Cameron movie has to further the technology of cinema. It can't simply exist to tell a good story. Bay at least just wants to make movies. His talents are limited but what little he does he does very well. That's my take, as a bay defender. Take that back to your forum.

So is that how people here feel about Toriyama's series? Is there a correlation?

It seems like Toriyama wants to live the complete opposite of the rock star life and doubt he is banging models. So...no?
Your friend doesn't really say why he likes Bay's movies. He just says why he thinks Bay is better than James Cameron.

I still don't think simply having both action and comedy is enough to call them equivalents.

[Kid Buu]

It's more of a case that in his opinion Bay is carefree and is more about having fun with his work, as opposed to making something deep and compelling.