Xin qi long zhu (1991)

Directors:

Joe Chan
Leung Chung

Writer:

Akira Toriyama (character)

Release Date:

1991 (Taiwan)

Genre:

Fantasy | Action

Plot:

This live-action version of the popular Japanese animated series Dragon Ball. A villainous king known...

Plot Keywords:

Manga | Remake | Based On Comic

Cast

Charles Chen Zi-Qiang	...	Son Goku (Monkey Boy)
Jeannie Tse	...	Bulma (Y-Tou)
Tung-Chuen Cheng	...	Yamcha
San Pan	...	Oolong
Zhong Yu Huang	...	Turtle Hermit Muten Roshi
Kam Tao	...	Son Gohan
Yi-Juan Li	...	Pansy (Jen Jen)
Ruan-Feng Su	...	Gourmeth (Horn King)
Long-Sheng Jiang	...	Vongo (Zebrata)
Eveline Oranje	...	Pasta (Maria)

Also Known As:

Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins (International: English title)
Dragon Ball: Ultimate Edition (International: English title) (DVD title)
Dragonball: Ultimate Edition (International: English title) (DVD title)
New Dragon Ball: The Legend of Shenlong (Taiwan) (informal English alternative title)

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

Taiwan

Language:

Mandarin

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) (VHS/DVD rating) | Australia:PG

Company:

Filmswell International Ltd.

Trivia:

Chronologically speaking, this is the very first live-action adaptation of Akira Toriyama's "Dragon Ball" manga (although an unlicensed and therefore unofficial adaptation).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During one of the final shots, Lord Horn loses his power over the huge group of people. Everyone is supposed to fall, but there is a whole group of people still standing, looking quite confused.

Quotes:

Westboot: You're stupid.
Son Goku: Oh, you know, do you?
Westboot: That's his magic cloud!

Movie Connections:

Remake of "Dragon Ball: Doragon bôru" (1986)

Really bad. Though picking on it with drunk friends might help

Live action version of Dragonball via Taiwan.

Evil lord comes to earth to get the seven magic dragon balls...er pearls which when brought together will cause a dragon to appear and grant your wish. Lots of action and bad comedy ensue.

What can I say that "the best way to watch this film is with lots of drunk but witty friends" doesn't? I don't know. This is a really bad but funny in the way that really bad movies can be. Come on this is one of the few martial arts films I've ever seen where you actually see the wires. Its a live action cartoon and not so far removed from what I've seen of the show that it makes me fearful for the big budget American version now filming.

If you have some drunk friends and feel like picking on a movie see this film. If you're going to see it sober (like me) avoid it.