Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins is a live-action adaptation of the popular anime and manga series, Dragon Ball. Released in 1989, this Taiwanese film gained attention for its attempt to bring the beloved characters and story to life on the big screen. However, the film was widely criticized for its low production values, poor special effects, and subpar acting. The actors in Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins faced the challenge of portraying iconic characters from the original series. **Although they gave their best efforts, the performances fell short of capturing the essence of the beloved characters**. The film featured Yuen Wah as Master Roshi, Jang Jeong-woo as Goku, Eddie Chan as Bulma, and Richie Jen as Yamcha.
The film featured Yuen Wah as Master Roshi, Jang Jeong-woo as Goku, Eddie Chan as Bulma, and Richie Jen as Yamcha. While these actors were talented in their own right, their portrayals failed to capture the depth and charisma that fans of the franchise had come to love. One of the main criticisms of Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins was its reliance on cheesy special effects and poor-quality props.
Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins
This is a live-action version of the popular Japanese animated series Dragon Ball.
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Director Director
Executive Producer Exec. Producer
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Original Writer Original Writer
Editor Editor
Cinematography Cinematography
Stunts Stunts
Composer Composer
Costume Design Costume Design
Makeup Makeup
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Alternative Titles
Dragon Ball : The Magic Begins, Dragonball: The Magic Begins, Dragon Pearl, Dragon Ball: La película, Bola de Dragón: La película, Dragon Ball: Ultimate Edition, New Seven Dragon Ball, 新七龍珠, 神龍的傳說-新七龍珠, 加強版新七龍珠, Bola de Drac: Comença la màgia, Kouzlo draka, Dragon Ball: Comienza la magia, Dragon Ball La magia comienza, Dragon Ball, le film : La Légende des sept boules de cristal, דרגון בול: הקסם מתחיל, Dragon Ball - Il film, 新七龙珠：神龙的传说
Genres
Releases by Date
Sort byTheatrical
30 Nov 1991
Physical
28 Nov 1995
- Spain 12
Releases by Country
Sort bySpain
28 Nov 1995
- Physical 12 VHS
Taiwan
30 Nov 1991
- Theatrical
The film struggled to recreate the epic battles and energy-based attacks that were signature elements of the original series. Even though the actors gave their all during fight scenes, the lackluster effects undermined the impact of their performances. Despite its flaws, Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins holds a special place in the hearts of some fans who appreciate it for its unique interpretation and homage to the original series. **The film stands as a testament to the enduring popularity of the Dragon Ball franchise, despite this particular adaptation's shortcomings**. In conclusion, Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins may not have lived up to the high expectations set by the original series, but it is still notable for its attempt to bring the world of Dragon Ball to life. The actors, while talented, struggled to capture the essence of the beloved characters, and the film's low production values severely impacted its overall quality. Nonetheless, the film endures as a reminder of the enduring popularity of the Dragon Ball franchise..
Reviews for "Reflecting on the legacy of Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins actors"
1. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars - The actors in "Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins" were absolutely terrible! They seemed to have no understanding of the characters they were playing, delivering their lines with zero emotion or conviction. It felt like I was watching a group of amateurs trying to cosplay as the beloved characters from the original Dragon Ball series. It completely ruined the experience for me and made it almost unwatchable. I would not recommend this film to any fans of Dragon Ball.
2. John - 2 out of 5 stars - As a huge fan of the original Dragon Ball series, I was extremely disappointed with the acting in "Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins". The actors seemed to lack any sort of chemistry or connection with one another, making the interactions between the characters feel forced and awkward. It was clear that they were struggling to bring the beloved characters to life, resulting in a lackluster performance overall. The poor acting overshadowed any potential enjoyment I could have had with the story and special effects. Unfortunately, this film failed to live up to my expectations.
3. Emily - 1.5 out of 5 stars - The performances in "Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins" were cringe-worthy at best. The actors seemed completely miscast and were unable to embody the essence of the characters they were portraying. The dialogue delivery was stiff and unnatural, making it difficult to invest in the story or feel any emotional connection. It's a shame because the film had the potential to be a fun adaptation of the Dragon Ball universe, but the poor acting choices dragged it down. I would recommend skipping this one and sticking to the original anime instead.
4. Michael - 2.5 out of 5 stars - While "Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins" had its moments of cheesy fun, the acting was undoubtedly the weakest link. It felt like the actors were trying to emulate the style of the original Dragon Ball series, but the execution fell flat. The performances lacked depth and failed to capture the charm and charisma of the original characters. Although the film had its nostalgic moments for fans, the poor acting made it difficult to truly enjoy. If you're a die-hard Dragon Ball fan, you might find some enjoyment in it, but for everyone else, it's better to pass on this adaptation.