DOA: Dead or Alive (2006) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

USA, Germany, UK 2006
Director: Corey Yuen
Cast: Jaime Pressly, Holly Valance, Devon Aoki, Sarah Carter, Eric Roberts, Brian J. White, Natassia Malthe, Kane Kosugi, Collin Chou, Matthew Marsden, Kevin Nash
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: 15 September 2006 (UK)
Running Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

The Movie Review

DOA: Dead or Alive film still 1


DOA: DEAD or ALIVE
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

The tagline says: D.O.A Wanna Play? I sure do. And I have played it. But if the tagline goes D.O.A wanna watch? Then the ticket price (or the video) and your mood have to fit in to be able to say "Of course!". Based on Japanese popular console game back in the mid 90s, Dead or Alive is in essence the Human version of all fighters from the original game.

Before I came to know D.O.A, I used to play very often in an arcade station in my town another game called Virtua Fighter, it's memorable/revolutionary for being the first polygon graphics with really cool fighting moves. And when I could finally get my hands on D.O.A in Dreamcast and later in PlayStation, I'd been busy trying to be the best fighter. Because honestly, another reason of playing it was to see the shockingly bouncing breasts of its female fighters, and I thought "Wow this is New!" It's a fighting game and it has that "naughty idea" employed in it? Did players have fun or what? Frankly I don't remember anymore their characters name as more games rushed in and occupied my thumbs, but thanks to that, I could see the movie version of DOA as something that can be considered new, just as fellow moviegoers out there who have never played the game before.

D.O.A is about a fighting tournament which selects its player based on their martial arts prowess, so most of the fighters have different style on martial arts, except for several characters like Ryu Hayabusa, Hayate, Ayane and Kasumi. Ranging from Ninjutsu, Kung Fu to Wrestling, each form is represented by unique people coming from around the globe, from Britain we got the hot dish Christie Allen (Holly Valance), from Italy the mercenary Leon (Silvio Simac), from America the cowgirl Tina Armstrong (Jaime Pressly) and her father Bass (Kevin Nash), from France Helena (Sarah Carter), from Japan Princess Kasumi (Devon Aoki), Ryu Hayabusa (Kane Kosugi), and the Kunoichi (or female ninja) named Ayane (Natassia Malthe), and from Russia the burly Bayman (Derek Boyer), among others.

Our fighters are gathered around in a secluded Island owned by Donovan (Eric Roberts) where they are really enjoying a great time in that Island, and they even could have a volley beach match where our female fighters wearing skimpy bikini (probably a notion to D.O.A Xtreme Beach Volleyball game). But Kasumi actually has a secret agenda of her own, she is looking for her brother Hayate (played by Collin Chou) that have attended D.O.A tournament before and has gone missing ever since. Donovan claims that Hayate was killed in the final match when fighting Leon. But Kasumi doesn't easily fall for that. Fortunately for her, Kasumi bonds with the easygoing Tina and Christie, and with their help and Ryu's, who is secretly has feeling for her, Kasumi tries to uncover the truth and find his missing brother. Who is Donovan really and what is he up to? And who will be the champion?

Full of characters and full of colours which only be suitable for moviegoers who simply want to have fun without over-thinking what, who and how that we usually expect from a movie that involve a mystery in its plot. Dead or Alive is nowhere near the seriousness of Bloodsport (1988) or other Thai ultra-realistic action films. Aside the fact that the actors could actually fight especially Kane Kosugi and Collin Chou, the movie is quite heavy in CGI department. Abuse and overuse of CGI are what describing the fighting scenes, and while that's a shame, still it doesn't hinder you from enjoying the movie. Because D.O.A is not meant to be enjoyed seriously and feeling the intense of fighting and bloody scars, D.O.A is as fun as playing the game should be.

Most of the actors and actresses seem to be really enjoying acting in this action movie. They are smiling most of the time and look very cheerful, there are a lot of light jokes scattered throughout the running length, even in the fight scenes. And no, the fighting scenes are not lame, they are good, good in a game way. And when the fighting scenes are in, the movie is shoot and directed mimicking a console game, which is a good choice to give the audience full fun atmosphere.

I am not very sure of what to criticize from this martial arts movie, it's here to give us fun. Several flaws exist but I don't wanna be some sort of party-pooper to mention that. If I say the story is clichéd and stupid, well they are stupid but I really consider that an intricate storyline would just tear off all the fun intended to exist. And if I say the acting never kicks above mediocrity, I would also have to blame the lines of dialogue, but I won't do that, because at some parts those actors do say something cheesily fun. However, the Japanese actors are too stern at times with no smile whatsoever, pretty different than 'Kasumi' in the game series. And Eric Roberts' martial arts moves are somewhat stiff. My fave characters would be Tina (Jaime Pressly) and her father. Their relationship is a good addition to the movie, they are believable as the wacky father and daughter with hilarious bond. I'm glad that this Poison Ivy girl has hefty screen minutes in Dead or Alive.

All things considered, D.O.A is a fun movie. Fun not as in funny, but fun as in amusing. Of course that is, if you could overlook factors like storyline, acting and ending. While the ending is anything but easy-to-guess but the road to it is jam-packed with action. And I did really enjoy D.O.A, and this is a movie that will not easily bore us, I've seen it a couple of times. It doesn't distract you with the feeling of ecstasy or depression, D.O.A is simply Fun...