Other aspects continue the film's downhill slide. The attempt to stay true to the game can make some of the actors look ridiculous when in full costume. There are pieces of random action tossed in for no apparent reason, such as forcing the fighters to parachute from a plane in order to secure their spot in the tournament. The latter is so ridiculous and absurd, it destroys any hope of enjoying this in the first 20 minutes.
Behind the action is a story full of... well, nothing. There's a sub-plot involving a safe full of money that ends up going nowhere other than to pad the running time. A rivalry between two fighters (Ayane and Kasumi) isn't fleshed out enough to warrant its inclusion. It exists solely to get an extra fight on screen, much like any other plotline. At its worst, the ending doesn't resolve much of anything, leaving the fate of over half the cast lost to the viewer.
On a brain dead level, DOA can be enjoyed for a few of its elaborate fight sequences. Trying to make sense of how or why these fights are happening isn't worth the effort. Credit is due for staying close to the game's characters. Beyond that, this clunker lands in a pile of video game-based movies that seems to be growing larger by the day.
Article comments
1 - ZOLA PATEL
What a TRUE AUSSIE ANGEL, Gifted by GOD BODY from OZ HOLLY VALANCE, What a BONZER. WE WANT MORE!!! WE WANT MORE!!! Of SUPER SEXY HOLLY VALANCE. DOA was GREAT. HOLLYWOOD Produces MUST sign her up for more movies, she is still young.
2 - ZOLA PATEL
What a TRUE ANGEL, Gifted by GOD BODY from OZ HOLLY VALANCE doing a Zinadine Zidane HEADBUTT and a GREAT SEXY BRA TRICK.
3 - T. Rigney
Were you really expecting something substantial from DOA? Corey Yuen's filmography is littered with similiar titles, most of which are good for a thrill or two, and this one's no exception. Tournament fight films rarely have deep characterization or involving plotlines, and as long as this fact is first and foremost in your mind, DOA isn't actually all that bad.
4 - Foywonder
Corey Yuen's biography is littered with silly movies that are still vastly superior to DOA, which is just pointless, boring, and unimpressive on any level. DEAD OR ALIVE is not even a well made dumb popcorn flick.