DOA: Dead or Alive (2006)

Director:

Corey Yuen

Writers (WGA):

J.F. Lawton (screenplay) and
Adam Gross (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

7 September 2006 (Australia)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Tagline:

You're Invited.

Plot:

The movie adaptation of the best selling video game series Dead or Alive.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Tournament | Martial Arts | Parachute | Princess

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jaime Pressly	...	Tina Armstrong
Devon Aoki	...	Kasumi
Holly Valance	...	Christie Allen
Sarah Carter	...	Helena Douglas
Natassia Malthe	...	Ayane
Kane Kosugi	...	Ryu Hayabusa
Matthew Marsden	...	Max
Eric Roberts	...	Donovan
Steve Howey	...	Weatherby
Brian J. White	...	Zack (as Brian White)
Kevin Nash	...	Bass Armstrong
Collin Chou	...	Hayate
Derek Boyer	...	Bayman
Silvio Simac	...	Leon
Fang Liu	...	Gen Fu

Also Known As:

D.O.A. - Dead or Alive (Germany)
DOA (USA) (short title)
Dead or Alive (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for pervasive martial arts and action violence, some sexuality and nudity.

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA | Germany | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Malaysia:U | Singapore:PG | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Portugal:M/12 | Australia:M | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | South Africa:13V | Finland:K-13 | Canada:G (Quebec) | South Korea:12 | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Heng Dian, China

Company:

Constantin Film Produktion

Trivia:

During Weatherby hacking, code quickly flashes. The scrolling code is a Linux source code essential for running Linux on the DEC/Compaq Alpha processor.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the first round elimination, the scoreboard says that Helena defeats Hitomi when she is actually fighting a guy with short black hair and a yellow costume. Hitomi is a Japanese/ German girl with long brown hair in the games.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Ryu Hayabusa: Princess Kasumi, your brother is dead. Your destiny is to lead your people.
Kasumi: I will not believe he is dead, until I see his body.
Ryu Hayabusa: There is no body.
Kasumi: Then he is not dead.

Movie Connections:

References Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball (2003) (VG)

A fun movie, so don't take it seriously

While I agree that this is not terribly original or even an innovative film, it is fun, and that's what it was meant to be. You can't expect mastery from actors who haven't trained their whole lives but having a long history with martial disciplines I felt that these women did a great job. Sarah Carter has shown combative promise for years (remember Black Sash???), and her skill as a dancer is clear watching her move (fighting or not). Graceful and inspired, sleek and sexy, in many ways, she alone is worth seeing this movie for, whether in jeans or that little bikini. Who couldn't love this woman? But then they throw in other talent like Jaime (who is obviously in shape for this film both physically and professionally—great accent she adopted) and Devon, both of whom who could have a strong career in action flicks.

Having said that, this is not a film for the martial arts critic, it is a movie for fans. Many may have to lower their expectations so as to not feel as other reviewers have, and may need to remind themselves that these women are not masters of combat (and that a gorgeous woman in a bikini is not offensive but a vision). Movies don't have to be original to be enjoyable, and I hope viewers don't fall into the trap of criticizing this movie because it isn't. Why bother watching any movie then?