Comparison: James Wong Films
Final Destination (1)
Runtime: 98 minutes
Rated: R
Budget: $23,000,000
U.S. Gross: $53,302,314
Worldwide Gross: $112,802,314
Opening Weekend Gross: $10,015,822
About: An R-rated horror film in which dumb kids get killed one by one.
Final Destination 3
Runtime: 115 minutes
Rated: R
Budget: About $25,000,000
U.S. Gross: $54,098,051
Worldwide Gross: $112,798,051
Opening Weekend Gross: $19,173,094
About: James Wong returns (he did not direct the second), for more of the same.
The One
Runtime: 87 minutes
Rated: PG-13
Budget: About $54 million
Box Office: $43,905,746
Opening Weekend Gross: $19,112,404
Worldwide Gross: $72,689,126
About: A simple, futuristic movie starring Jet Li. Doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is good because the story is lacking.
Dragonball
Runtime: Estimated 100 minutes
Rated: Most likely PG-13
Budget: $100,000,000 +
About: Based on the manga “Dragonball.” Story revolves around Goku, his friends, Piccolo and his henchman.
He wrote all of the above. He has also produced “Black Christmas,” “Willard,” and wrote and produced many episodes of “The X-Files” and “Millenium.” As you can see, his movies are pretty unusual.
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February 29th, 2008 at 3:42 am
Im a fan of DB and DBZ (GT was crap), but I have the feeling this movie will suck ass big time. Sorry.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Well, I respect your opinion.
(Any reason why though?)
February 29th, 2008 at 4:36 am
1) No Krillin. (Important character, as he is Goku´s best friend, the “Krillin was dead on this saga” is no excuse, since this is an adaptation and not exactly 1 saga)
2) No Tenshinhan. (Important character, especially in the King Piccolo Saga)
3) No trailers nor any posters yet.
4) No Kami? Why? Just because the Christian community in the USA would feel offended because the God/Guardian of the Earth is a green alien guy?.
5) It seems as if they were rushing this movie.
There are many more reasons I cant think of at this moment, but as soon as I remember them ill post them here.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:39 am
1) Krillin may make a cameo, or Teto could be a code-name for Krillin.
2) Tenshinhan wasn’t vital, but he would be a nice addition.
3) That’s no reason not to like a movie.
4) Kami will most likely be in this movie. Ernie Hudson has recently been cast as an “altar boy” that reminds me of Kami, or Mr. popo.
5) “300″ was filmed in 2 months. Dragonball has over 3 1/2 months, I think. They have a lot of time for post production.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Looking at Wong’s track record, I must admit, I don’t think this movie will necessarily be “good.” I wasn’t a fan of any of the silly “Final Destination” movies and I have not heard the best things about “The One.”
On the other hand he was a driving force behind “The X-Files” and much of that show owes him for his many unique and groundbreaking story ideas.
But if it’s not that good, it should at least be a lot of fun. After all, what matters the most with “Dragonball?” The entertainment. It’s “Dragonball,” not “No Country For Old Men.” So I hope Wong is at least able to give us something that’s visually impressive and fun to watch.
February 29th, 2008 at 6:04 am
You make a good point GMAN, but you have to remember the material was lacking in “Final Destination” and “The One.” They were never supposed to be thought provoking or brilliantly written.
On the other hand, Dragonball is an already established series with many stories to work with. I believe if a director has the determination and the material, no matter how bad their track record, they can make something good IF they want to.
100 million is enough to work with, and the cast is decent. But yeah, I just hope it’s visually impressive as well.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
I agree with Adam, I can’t wait to see Dragonball in theaters August!!!!! Im very excited to see Chatwin as Goku. I can’t wait to see him fly and do the Kamahamaha. Most of all I can’t wait to see him turn to Ozuru (the giant ape)…. Man this movie is gonna freakin’ rock! I think Chatwin will make a cool as Goku. I saw the Invincible 3 times already and I was saying in my head “That’s defiantly Goku”. No other movie has got me hyped about two characters fighting each other (Piccolo vs Goku)…. When I first heard they were spending $100,000,000 I was soooo exciting dude. I’ve been hyped every since! Plus when I heard Stephan Chow say he feels excited and confident about Dragonball I felt relieved, even though he is just producing. I feel confident Dragonball will have a very good story and plenty of action.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I agree, but the chances of that seem to be slim. “Dragonball” doesn’t strike me as thought provoking or brilliantly written either, so what are we left with? It just doesn’t seem very plausible at this point, decent budget and cast or not.
I’m still looking forward to it, but my expectations are rather low.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:01 am
Goku wont turn into an Ozaru (Giant Ape). If you are really expecting that you will feel dissapointed. I do think its a good idea that they dont turn saiyajins into Ozarus in this real live action movie. It looked good in the anime, but it wouldnt in a real live action movie.
Still I have low expectations for this movie.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:06 am
I have to add, Krillin is not Teto, and wont make a cameo. Teto is just a high school nerd who has a small appearance in this movie.
Kami will not be in this movie, Ernie Hudson will probably play Mr Popo or someone similar, but not Kami.
Tenshinhan was VERY IMPORTANT in the last sagas of Dragon Ball, I have no idea why are you saying otherwise.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:21 am
I’d actually be surprised if Kami wasn’t in the movie. You can’t say he won’t be in the movie unless you’ve read the script, sir.
What purpose does Mr. popo have if there is no Kami?
March 1st, 2008 at 12:32 am
Im not saying Ernie Hudson will be Mr Popo, but will probably play a similar character or something like that. Kami wont be in this movie, its already confirmed, same with Krillin and Tenshinhan. Trust me.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:33 am
I know this is an adaptation and not everything should be exactly like in the anime, but at least they should have had Krillin in it. But they dont.
March 1st, 2008 at 1:24 am
You know, it might not be so bad after all now that Hollywood’s hired such a not as good directer like Wong to make this movie. After all, Dragonball is such a difficult series to make into live action and Hollywood doesn’t have anyone who understands the series like the Japanese.
Now that it is certain the movie will suck big, we can all boycott the movie without any hesitation or dilemma, since the director is just some second or third class dude instead of some well renowned guy.
March 1st, 2008 at 1:31 am
Lol, okay.
March 1st, 2008 at 6:49 am
Hmm, it seems many people aren’t happy with the way the movie is going. Who knows what would end up. I would rather first see the movie/trailer and then comment.
March 1st, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Chatwin better transform into Ozaru in Dragonball!!!! I don’t care if he turns into Ozaru when he is baby Goku. He just better turn into Ozaru!! Ozaru would be soooo exciting to see in the theater. I would be very disapointed if I don’t see that giant ape tearing things on screen. I don’t care if it’s for 30 seconds. Ozaru is such a big part of the story! So Goku better transform into Ozaru. It’s not that hard for them to make Chatwin transform!! They have that 100,000,000 budget. All they have to do is take lessons from the Hulk movie! Ozaruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu in Dragonball please
March 2nd, 2008 at 8:00 am
Umm… JoseMP, with all do respect, your an idiot! You say “trust me”, and how do you suppose we do that without knowing you? I’m ALMOST sure that Adam would agree. Notice how I said almost. Now, you may very well be right, and you get that. But, you should never give a definitive on something you simply don’t know about. Unless, of course your a member of the cast or crew, then that would be great, you could give us more inside info. I’m just saying that Hitler was absolutley sure that he’d win.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
listen I watched dragonball for seven years I know everything about it. when I heard the live movie was finally come out I was happy. but what their doing to this movie is a slap to the face to Akira Toriyama and all of us fans who love this great anime. I know the movie can’t be like the show. But at least so us respect and but the right charcters in it. Teto? who the heck whats some made up guy name teto? We want krillin, kami,Tenshinhan, and the other who made dragonball what it is. I want very dragonball z fan to help boycott this movie with me.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Wait a minute!!!! Hey Adam
Why does it say “Dragonball” estimate time is only 100 minutes???? Please tell me that’s not true…. 100 minutes is ok, but not for Dragonball. Dragonball is supposed to be 2 hours or more.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:24 pm
It’ll be around 100 minutes… sorry.
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Yeah, that fight scene from the One looked pretty bad. I’ve seen Wong’s other movie Final Destination 3. It was awful and heard the first wasn’t so great. This guy’s a no-talent hack to be blunt and this movie is doomed with at the helm. I just hope that if they make a sequel it will be CGI with a different, talented director maybe Rober Zimekis, who directed Beowulf.
I know Chatwin couldn’t get buff for the Saiyan saga, he’s just naturally small no matter what. He’s a bad actor as well. Robert, I’ll be boycotting this movie as well.
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Now hold on J,
James Wong may have directed some duds, but he’s also an Emmy-award winning director. You need to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I don’t know any director that hasn’t made a few bad ones before making a good one.
We’ll see! So far, 3 or 4 members of the film have said they have faith in James Wong’s vision.
April 19th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
[...] little over a month ago, I compared each James Wong film to give you a better idea of what movie style to expect. Then, I compared the fighting styles of [...]
May 24th, 2008 at 1:59 am
Deamb 100 minutes does not sound good.I rather stay and watch the cartoon series.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Almost all of You people give so much crap about the movie! Why do You want to see the same old story!? This is a movie! Something that could put DB back to life! I`m very glad that the story will differ a little. Besides no matter how awful it will be it still wont be the worst thing that happened to the DB series! Just remember the lame DB GT - that is just awfull! I respect everyones opinion, and please don`t feel ofended! Lets wait and just enjoy the movie as it will be. If we won`t like it, we will call it a disgrace and wait 50 years or so for another better one
But there is much hope that it wont suck!
IMO they should more stick to the legend that AT based on - i mean Journey to the West. BTW I couldn`t be more suprised when i saw few days ago the movie “Forbidden Kingdom” - the main character reminded mne of Goku. And it surely had much in common - the movie also is based on the same story as DB. I recomend every DB fan to watch it!
June 12th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
dont forget about stephen chow.. he made kung fu hustle and that movie was off the hook.. he gonna be helping out too
July 17th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Actually Stephen Chow’s not involved in any way except that Fox put him on the staff list to cheat his fans into the cinemas.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Well the only thing I could say its that all of our critics and other things will be better said when we go out of the theater after watching the dragonball movie, because I think its going to be a really good experience. Plus the only think I care its that this movie accomplish the ratings and viewers they need to do the dragonball z(that will be the part 2 of this movie) in wich will be the saiyan saga. But anyway this movie its going to be fun and our opinions will have a better significance after we all watch the movie. ^^