Ok first off, I obviously watched the movie on a streaming site and I was able to watch it. I also must point out that after watching this movie, this movie is based on Dragonball and not DBZ or DBGT, so expect it to be corny. This movie seems to be targeted toward an all-around audience. So don't expect it to be all serious and stuff. That's why I have to point out that this is based on Dragonball.
From hearing all of these reviews saying how bad it is and stuff, I thought it wasn't worth a theatre showing. And now that I've seen it, I felt that it at least deserved a matinee. Why? Well, there were a lot of good parts in the film. Some of the comic relief was pretty good. Some of the scenes made me chuckle. And some of the actors made it that much more fun to watch. Some of the effects could've been better because it really looks like they are throwing fire at each other. But they kept the essence of a Dragonball fight (throwing balls of light around, crashing into pillars of rock, etc.). Some of the stunts were pretty cool (like the kids at school trying to fight Goku). Other than that, there isn't too much special stuff in DBE. The storyline is seen in so many other family, action-adventure movies. There really isn't much difference in this one.
Now for the bad parts of it. The movie felt RUSHED. I hate when a movie feels rushed. There's a scene where Yamcha, played by Joon Park, traps Goku, Bulma, and Master Roshi into a pit and they are forced to wait in the pit. Right after this scene, it's nighttime and they're still in the pit and Master Roshi, played by Chow Yun-Fat, sits them all down to talk about the history of the Dragonballs. I was caught off guard when I saw this because I found it very annoying that the scene was rushed and there was no time to develop character (since throughout the movie, there really isn't much character developement, which usually helps find out why characters tick). Immediately afterward, Bulma's Dragonball Finder finds a Dragonball nearby. I thought "Wait, what??? Why couldn't they find it before? They were in the pit ALL DAY!" The movie was just rushed and if they worked on it more, extended the scenes, added much more character developement, then maybe the movie would be worth watching for more than $4.50 (but not anywhere higher than $9). The end fight scene felt too short. There wasn't enough of a fight between Goku and Piccolo. It was cut off many times, showing some boring fight between Mai and Bulma (which wasn't even much of a fight anyway). It just didn't feel like a fight to end evil, like most movies are when it comes to some evil guy who wants to destroy the world and the hero who is the only one who can stop him. Like I said, the fight was too short.
Now there were many times where the actors were good and bad in certain scenes.
Justin Chatwin, who played Goku, was enjoyable. There were times were he seemed boring, kinda like Keanu Reeves and his "Tough man" act (like The Matrix' sequels). But I actually really liked Chatwin as Goku. I am still annoyed that he said the word "Nameks" as "Nemiks". I think Chatwin can be accepted as Goku to a certain extent.
Emmy Rossum played Bulma. She acted a bit tough throughout the movie but still was probably the weakest character in the movie. As hot as she is, I still have to say that she wasn't that good, though I'm not saying she sucked completely.
Lord Piccolo was played by James Marsters. I think I kinda liked him too. His voice was deep and intimidating. But they seemed to attempt to make him look like a Darth Vader figure, imposing, intimidating, monotoned, seriouc voice and so on. But it just didn't work for me. All I remember seeing him doing was taking Dragonballs and crushing a house without touching it. He was another weak character, but only because the studio executives decided that he shouldn't have almost no character development at all.
Master Roshi's character, played by Chow Yun-Fat was a very enjoyable character. Yun-Fat's acting was great. I don't think there could be anyone to play Roshi better. I can even accept that he's missing his beard and sun glasses!
Joon Park was also another great actor in the movie. I never expected him to have a really great western accent, I did not see that coming. Park played Yamcha, who was also another great character in DBE.
This movie should have not been rushed, therefore it would've been way better. If they decide to go through with a sequel, I'd give it a chance, as long as they don't rush things. In my opinion, they did a fair job with this movie (when it comes to adapting). They could've done better with the filming and choreography, as well as the wirework. I say this movie is worth a matinee's price (make sure it's under $6 though). I will give this movie a 2-2.5 out of 5.