Dragonball Evolution
Brian Tyler
" These dragonballs do taste the same "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Dragonball Evolution the movie is based on the Japanese Dragon Ball media franchise. It was directed by James Wong (of Final Destination) and featured Justin Chatwin as Goku, Emmy Rossum as Bulma Briefs, James Marsters as Piccolo Daimao, Jamie Chung as Chi-Chi, Chow Yun-fat as Master Roshi, Joon Park as Yamcha and Eriko Tamura as Mai. Sadly this live action film was a critical failure and only secured its box office winnings in Asia.
For the music, busy as ever composer Brian Tyler was given the honors. And needless to say, Tyler responded with his known usual style. Opening Dragonball Evolution is like opening your bathroom door: you know exactly what color the toilet has and which sound it will make when you flush. Not that Dragonball sounds like a toilet, but it was the first thing that came to mind ;-). So, with that said, "The Legend" opens with an ethnic flute, whirling strings and brass right out of Aliens vs Predator, and enough percussion to wake up the neighbors. Followed by "Dragonball Evolution", a cue that sums up Tyler's themes for this film. Completely the same as any theme you've heard by him, but enjoyable nonetheless.
In general, Dragonball Evolution will give the fans everything they want, and the Tyler haters everything to continue their hatred towards him. This kind of music is perfectly written and enormously big and exciting. But it lacks the surprise you're looking for, the originality to grade your scores by and the development if you're looking for something meaningfull. The choir is an extra element that can surely win you over ("Fulums", "Vengeance"), while the hard rocking techno music might disappoint you in "Chasing Dragonballs", "Body Work" and "Grime Vinyl".
And no surprise here, but the moment you pass the 10th track, the album presentation goes downhill in the entertainment section. From track 11 to 19 you'll be experiencing none of the solid entertaining themes and sound. On the contrary, by track 19 you'll be wishing for Tyler's unoriginal style to return. and that happens in "The Final Battle" (even though it's a combination of tracks 1 and 2 put together).
Listening to Dragonball Evolution is basically hearing everything what's wrong and right about Brian Tyler. I will admit that hearing a good old orchestral score in a pop summer blockbuster is making me smile (especially considering the crud we have received this summer). So a thumb's up for Tyler. Another thumb's up is hearing enjoyable themes popping up in numerous tracks. But I can easily throw a couple of dislikes to your face if you realize it's so recognizable, so unoriginal and so repetitive. Plus the middle portion of this album truly delivers average affair. Dragonball Evolution is a lot of fun for a newbie, and an irritating bag of used tricks for the trained ear. It's just how you want to see it. Tyler will not change in this formula, why go through it if you don't expect him to?
Track Listing
1. The Legend (1.13)
2. Dragonball Evolution (3.26)
3. Fulums (5.14)
4. Kaiou Samma (2.34)
5. Goku (3.09)
6. Gohan's Special Gift (0.57)
7. Master Roshi (3.45)
8. The Journey Begins (0.58)
9. Lighting the Torches (2.44)
10. Vengeance (5.55)
11. Chasing Dragonballs (2.41)
12. Lord Piccolo (2.51)
13. Mai vs Chi Chi (3.55)
14. A Higher Calling (2.03)
15. Body Work (1.26)
16. I Dream of Chi Chi (0.54)
17. Grime Vinyl (1.52)
18. Unwelcome Strangers (2.12)
19. Bulma and Yamcha (1.51)
20. Things to Come (1.42)
21. The Final Battle (6.20)
22. End Game (1.32)
23. Dragonball Evolution Main Titles (1.32)
Total Length: 60.46
For the music, busy as ever composer Brian Tyler was given the honors. And needless to say, Tyler responded with his known usual style. Opening Dragonball Evolution is like opening your bathroom door: you know exactly what color the toilet has and which sound it will make when you flush. Not that Dragonball sounds like a toilet, but it was the first thing that came to mind ;-). So, with that said, "The Legend" opens with an ethnic flute, whirling strings and brass right out of Aliens vs Predator, and enough percussion to wake up the neighbors. Followed by "Dragonball Evolution", a cue that sums up Tyler's themes for this film. Completely the same as any theme you've heard by him, but enjoyable nonetheless.
In general, Dragonball Evolution will give the fans everything they want, and the Tyler haters everything to continue their hatred towards him. This kind of music is perfectly written and enormously big and exciting. But it lacks the surprise you're looking for, the originality to grade your scores by and the development if you're looking for something meaningfull. The choir is an extra element that can surely win you over ("Fulums", "Vengeance"), while the hard rocking techno music might disappoint you in "Chasing Dragonballs", "Body Work" and "Grime Vinyl".
And no surprise here, but the moment you pass the 10th track, the album presentation goes downhill in the entertainment section. From track 11 to 19 you'll be experiencing none of the solid entertaining themes and sound. On the contrary, by track 19 you'll be wishing for Tyler's unoriginal style to return. and that happens in "The Final Battle" (even though it's a combination of tracks 1 and 2 put together).
Listening to Dragonball Evolution is basically hearing everything what's wrong and right about Brian Tyler. I will admit that hearing a good old orchestral score in a pop summer blockbuster is making me smile (especially considering the crud we have received this summer). So a thumb's up for Tyler. Another thumb's up is hearing enjoyable themes popping up in numerous tracks. But I can easily throw a couple of dislikes to your face if you realize it's so recognizable, so unoriginal and so repetitive. Plus the middle portion of this album truly delivers average affair. Dragonball Evolution is a lot of fun for a newbie, and an irritating bag of used tricks for the trained ear. It's just how you want to see it. Tyler will not change in this formula, why go through it if you don't expect him to?
Track Listing
1. The Legend (1.13)
2. Dragonball Evolution (3.26)
3. Fulums (5.14)
4. Kaiou Samma (2.34)
5. Goku (3.09)
6. Gohan's Special Gift (0.57)
7. Master Roshi (3.45)
8. The Journey Begins (0.58)
9. Lighting the Torches (2.44)
10. Vengeance (5.55)
11. Chasing Dragonballs (2.41)
12. Lord Piccolo (2.51)
13. Mai vs Chi Chi (3.55)
14. A Higher Calling (2.03)
15. Body Work (1.26)
16. I Dream of Chi Chi (0.54)
17. Grime Vinyl (1.52)
18. Unwelcome Strangers (2.12)
19. Bulma and Yamcha (1.51)
20. Things to Come (1.42)
21. The Final Battle (6.20)
22. End Game (1.32)
23. Dragonball Evolution Main Titles (1.32)
Total Length: 60.46