'DOA' not quite dead, hardly alive
Ashton Do, staff writer
June 20, 2007

Kick. Punch. Knockout. And lots of bounce.

Director Corey Yuen’s movie, “DOA: Dead or Alive,” shares a lot in common with its video game predecessors. The film adaptation is brainless, fun and surprisingly entertaining.

Here’s how the story breaks down. Three unsuspecting and unrelated women with fighting talent are invited to participate in the Dead or Alive fighting tournament. They arrive to find themselves center stage in a juvenile paradise of scantily clad costumes, fighting matches and a beautiful island resort swarming with other combatants.

“DOA” stays faithful to the game franchise, mostly by incorporating multiple characters from the game into a coherent, though admittedly dumb storyline.

While the film doesn’t take itself too seriously, Yuen doesn’t skimp on the action sequences. Fights are beautifully choreographed and enhanced by computer effects. Yuen implements slow motion to reveal flying skirts and jiggles in the air.

Christie Allen, played by Holly Valance, prepares for a game of volleyball in "DOA: Dead or Alive."

In one scene, ninja princess Kasumi (Devon Aoki) and her assailant Ayane (Natasha Malthe) trade blows in a bamboo forest, showing off some fancy wirework and movement. This fight in particular was reminiscent of Zhang Ziyi’s work in “House of Flying Daggers,” minus the booty.

Well-directed action scenes aren’t a surprise in “DOA,” given that Yuen also directed the 2002 hit, “The Transporter.” He is also the action choreographer for Jet Li in an upcoming movie called “War.”

Violence is cartoonlike in “DOA” – there is no blood, no injuries and no foreseeable consequences from combat. It’s hard to connect with characters onscreen who don’t have physical or emotional vulnerabilities. Ninja extraordinaire Hayabusa (Kane Kosugi) is an attempt to bring a dramatic edge to the film, but his performance is too serious in light of his cheeky surroundings.

Men play a diminished role in “DOA,” leaving the heroic spotlight open for the women. Two of the men, who are both pansies in the context of the film, play love interests. They are also white. On the other hand, the Asian men in “DOA” are portrayed as nonsexual ninja heroes who don’t seem to care about love. For a movie that’s so predictable, shouldn’t the hero get the girl?

Truthfully, “DOA” is a forgettable knockoff of the Charlie’s Angels franchise, but fans of the game will appreciate it. So will anyone else looking to watch fleshy women duke it out.

Ashton gives "DOA: Dead or Alive":

Ashton Do is a staff writer for AsiaXpress.com. Ashton can be contacted via e-mail at Ashton.Do@asiaxpress.com.