Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins
Encyclopedia
Originally released in America as "Dragon's Pearl," is an unofficial live-action remake
of the first Dragon Ball feature film
The Legend of Shenlong (known as Curse of the Blood Rubies in the English
version), made in 1991. The plot revolves around a rag-tag group of heroes, led by Son Goku
("Monkey Boy" in the English dubbed version) trying to stop the antagonist named King Horn from using the wish-granting Dragon Balls to rule the world.
It was produced by Taiwan
and shot in Nantou
forests, with some scenes shot in Thailand
.
Remake
A remake is a piece of media based primarily on an earlier work of the same medium.-Film:The term "remake" is generally used in reference to a movie which uses an earlier movie as the main source material, rather than in reference to a second, later movie based on the same source...
of the first Dragon Ball feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
The Legend of Shenlong (known as Curse of the Blood Rubies in the English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
version), made in 1991. The plot revolves around a rag-tag group of heroes, led by Son Goku
Son Goku (Dragon Ball)
Goku, known as in the English-language manga and original Japanese-language version, is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama. He is loosely based on Sun Wukong, a central character in Journey to the West...
("Monkey Boy" in the English dubbed version) trying to stop the antagonist named King Horn from using the wish-granting Dragon Balls to rule the world.
It was produced by Taiwan
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
and shot in Nantou
Nantou County
Nantou County is the second largest county of Taiwan. It is also the only landlocked county in Taiwan. Its name derives from the Hoanya Taiwanese aboriginal word Ramtau. Nantou County is officially administered as a county of Taiwan....
forests, with some scenes shot in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
.
Plot
In order to conquer mankind and rule the universe, King Horn sets out to find all seven of the Dragon Pearls. With two of the seven already in the evil king's possession, it is now up to the remaining five owners of the pearls — Son Goku (Son Gohan is the Owner, Son Goku is his adopted grandson), Piggy, La Ping, Turtle Man and Seetoe — to destroy King Horn and his two powerful warriors, Zebrata and Maria, before it is too late.Characters
- Monkey Boy (孫悟空 Sūn Wù-Kōng): The main protagonist of the film, a happy go-lucky boy who claims to be the descendant of "the Monkey KingSun WukongSun Wukong , also known as the Monkey King is a main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West . In the novel, he is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices...
." Played by Charles Chen Zi-Jiang (陳子強). Based on the character Son GokuSon Goku (Dragon Ball)Goku, known as in the English-language manga and original Japanese-language version, is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama. He is loosely based on Sun Wukong, a central character in Journey to the West...
of the original DragonBall series. - Seetoe (ㄚ頭 Y-Tóu): A girl who nearly runs over Son Goku, she becomes a companion of him in hopes to acquire the Dragon Balls while on his quest to rescue his grandfather. Based on the character Bulma of the original DragonBall series. Played by Jeannie Tse (謝金燕).
- Sparkle (孫悟飯 Sūn Wù-Fàn): Goku's grandfather who is kidnapped by King Horn. He is based on Grandpa Gohan of the original DragonBall series. Played by Jin Tu (金塗).
- Piggy (小豬 Xiǎo Zhū): An overweight shape-shifting man who accompanies Son Goku and Seetoe on their journey to gather the Dragon Pearls after Son Goku defeats him in a short fight. He is the descendant of Zhu BajieZhu BajieZhu Bajie, also named Zhu Wuneng, is one of the three helpers of Xuanzang in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. He is called "Pigsy" or "Pig" in many English versions of the story....
(The Pig Fairy in English dub) and is later revealed to be the owner of a Dragon Pearl. Based on Oolong of the original DragonBall series. Played by Pang Sam (胖三). - La Ping/Westwood (樂平 Lè Píng): A bandit who tries to loot Son Goku, Seetoe and Piggy, while they travel. While being scared of women, shown when he see Seetoe for the first time, he is the compaion of Miss Knowwhat/Snowhite, a talking cockatoo. He proves to be a valuable rival and allie of Son Goku and the others when he helps to defeat King Horn and is proven to be the owner of a Dragon Balls. Based on Yamcha of the original DragonBall series. Played by Cheng Tung-Chuen (鄭同村).
- Miss Knowwhat/Snowhite: A talking and wise-cracking cockatooCockatooA cockatoo is any of the 21 species belonging to the bird family Cacatuidae. Along with the Psittacidae and the Strigopidae , they make up the parrot order Psittaciformes . Placement of the cockatoos as a separate family is fairly undisputed, although many aspects of the other living lineages of...
, she is the companion of la Ping. Based on Puar of the original DragonBall series. - Turtle Hermit/Turtle Man (龜仙 Guī Xiān): An old man who lives a solitary life on an island, he is said to be one of the greatest fighters in the world. He gives Son Goku a magical cloud for transportation, which he claims he captured centuries ago, and which he summons through a use of comical dance movements. Based on Master Roshi in the original DragonBall series. Played by Wong Chung-Yue (黃仲裕).
- Jen Jen/Jade (珍珍 Zhēn Zhēn): A girl whose village was destroyed by King Horn, she sets out to obtain the Dragon Balls to wish the damage away, and along the way meets Son Goku and the others. Based on Penny of the first Dragon Ball feature filmFeature filmIn the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
The Legend of Shenlong (known as Curse of the Blood Rubies in the EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
version). Played by Lee Yee-Kuen (李宜娟). - King Horn (外星魔王 Wàixīng Mówáng): The main antagonist, his sole mission in the film is to acquire the Dragon Balls for world domination. Based on King Gourmeth of the first Dragon Ball feature filmFeature filmIn the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
The Legend of Shenlong (known as Curse of the Blood Rubies in the EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
version) but resembles Lucifer from the second film. Played by So Yu Fung (蘇阮峰). - Zebrata (斯巴達 Sībādá), the henchman of King Horn who works as one of villains alongside Maria in the quest to collect the Dragon Balls. Based on Major Domo of the first Dragon Ball feature filmFeature filmIn the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
The Legend of Shenlong (known as Curse of the Blood Rubies in the EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
version). Played by Kong Lung Sing (江龍昇). - Maria (瑪琍亞 Mǎlíyà), the henchman of King Horn who works as one of villains alongside Zebrata in the quest to collect the Dragon Balls. Based on Raven of the first Dragon Ball feature filmFeature filmIn the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
The Legend of Shenlong (known as Curse of the Blood Rubies in the EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
version). Played by Eveline Oranje (歐蘭英).