"Dragonball Evolution" is one of those stories we use to scare young kids when they refuse to finish their homework or go to bed. This live-action adaptation of Akira Toriyama's universe did things so badly that even its name didn't escape the horror. Many of those responsible have avoided fans for years, but recently something very unusual happened in Hollywood: its screenwriter, Ben Ramsey, apologized to them.
I stayed away from the movie during its theatrical run, and when it appeared on TV one Saturday afternoon, my resistance lasted about twenty minutes. I admit things would have been very different with a few adjustments. If we momentarily imagine Dragonball Evolution with its references to Dragon Ball removed, the character names changed, and a more coherent antagonist, it could have gone on its way as a sort of "B-movie" that manages to stand up and appear (very) occasionally on Netflix's catalog. But the movie is Dragonball Evolution, and it's based on the Dragon Ball universe... or at least, that's what the damn 20th Century Fox told us when it let it out of its cage. Seven years have passed, and the trauma is not forgotten. We grew up with Dragon Ball. We breathe Dragon Ball. We suffered with every battle, every death, and the "five longest minutes in the universe" that every fan automatically remembers. Is there anything left to add? According to Ben Ramsey, the answer is yes.
Who is Ben Ramsey? Well, I can't blame anyone for not recognizing him... but he is the screenwriter of Dragonball Evolution. Derek Padula, screenwriter and one of the creators of the fan film Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope, decided to get in touch with Ramsey to request an interview. In return, he received much more than he expected: a public apology. According to Ramsey himself, Dragonball Evolution marked a "very painful" creative point in his life, and it was devastating for him to receive messages from all over the world criticizing his work, as well as seeing his name on such a despised project. The moment of sincerity comes when Ramsey acknowledges that he did it for the money, not as a fan of the franchise, but as a businessman with a task ahead, and he considers himself "the only one responsible". His final note: "To all Dragon Ball fans out there: My most sincere apologies."
We as fans and consumers are obliged to recognize that Ramsey was not "the only one responsible" for Dragonball Evolution. James Wong was its director, and he hasn't directed anything for the big screen since then. The film had three producers, and Akira Toriyama's name appears on the list whether we like it or not. The casting directors really had a bad day, and we all know well that Fox tends to turn into an evil entity that leaves misery in its wake. Personally... apologies accepted, Mr. Ramsey. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge, and although it's hard to believe, there are worse works than Dragonball Evolution. If M. Night Shyamalan had 10 percent of the courage that Ramsey showed, he would go around the world on his knees begging forgiveness for what he did with The Last Airbender...
