The live-action adaptation of Street Fighter has a history marred by critical and commercial disappointment, a trend that the newest iteration, simply titled Street Fighter, struggles to break. While the film delivers impressive fight choreography and embraces the vibrant aesthetic of its source material, it ultimately suffers from an identity crisis, failing to solidify a consistent tone and do justice to its beloved characters.
The film opens with a beautifully animated sequence highlighting the deep bond between Ryu and Ken, setting a promising tone. These animated segments become a recurring motif, effectively underscoring the history between the two central fighters. Following this, the movie leans into '90s nostalgia, depicting Ken's life in 1993 after the disappearance of his childhood rival and sworn brother, Ryu. Their last shared moment was witnessing the death of their master, Gouken, at the hands of Akuma, an event Ryu feels responsible for due to his own unleashed powers. This setup, while familiar to franchise lore, feels rushed as the film accelerates towards its primary objective: assembling iconic characters for the World Warrior Tournament.
The ensemble cast includes Noah Centineo as Ken Masters, who effectively captures the character's flashy personality and inflated ego while also portraying a more sensitive side as he reflects on his past with Ryu. Andrew Koji delivers a strong performance as Ryu, embodying a serious and noble demeanor even in his new life as a homeless ramen chef. However, the film falters when it attempts to balance the personal journeys of its leads with the broader tournament plot.
Despite the presence of vibrant fight scenes and some initially questionable casting choices that eventually prove effective, such as Centineo's Ken, the movie's dialogue and humor are inconsistent. The film struggles to maintain a clear tone, leading to moments that feel jarring rather than cohesive. This tonal inconsistency extends to the portrayal of some characters. Chun-Li, one of gaming's most iconic female characters, is presented as disappointingly flat. Her canonically tragic backstory of avenging her father is underdeveloped, and actress Callina Liang appears disengaged. The character's writing is criticized for catering to a male gaze, a missed opportunity for a character known for her strength and capability.
Another significant point of contention is the casting of comedian Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki. Schulz's involvement drew backlash, and his performance is described as a significant misstep. Dan's characterization in the film is unclear, oscillating between awkward friend and unconvincing jester, lacking the cocky yet inept fighting style familiar to fans. His prominent role throughout the movie feels unearned, and his interactions with Ken are strained, further marred by an uncomfortable, seemingly homophobic joke.
While the film’s commitment to '90s nostalgia is present in its soundtrack, with songs like Montell Jordan's "This is How We Do It" featured, it is undermined by anachronisms like the inclusion of "Who Let the Dogs Out?" – a song released in 2000. This inconsistency detracts from the otherwise colorful visual presentation.
The undisputed strength of the film lies in its fight choreography. The action sequences embrace the cartoony essence of Street Fighter, incorporating iconic moves like the hurricane kick and Hadoken, as well as Blanka's Electric Thunders and Zangief's spinning piledriver. Despite a PG-13 rating that limits the explicitness of the violence, the choreography team delivers over-the-top stunts and varied fight styles, ranging from comedic skirmishes to John Wick-esque brawls and one-on-one battles that evoke the feel of the games. The film also includes impressive martial arts and campy action sequences that compensate, to some extent, for the lack of individual fights between side characters during the tournament structure.
Ultimately, Street Fighter is a visually colorful and action-packed film with stunning animated sequences that explore the Ryu-Ken dynamic. It offers moments of silly, mindless fun but is hampered by its inconsistent tone and a narrative that fails to fully engage. While it may be the best live-action Street Fighter adaptation to date, that is a low bar to clear.