Kitao Sakurai’s Street Fighter brings an infectious, celebratory energy to the screen, channeling the spirit of its source material with a vibrant cast and a penchant for action. However, this adaptation of Capcom's iconic fighting game franchise, set to premiere on October 16, often finds itself disconnected from a coherent narrative, prioritizing broad representation of the games' universe over deeper storytelling.
The film opens with a stylish anime prologue, establishing the estranged relationship between martial artists Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken (Noah Centineo), former best friends and students of Master Gouken (Don Lee). Ryu fades into obscurity while Ken becomes a pop culture sensation, a dynamic set up by Ryu's ability to harness "Hado power," a mystical energy from the spirit realm. This power is crucial to the plot's antagonist, M. Bison (David Dastmalchian), the leader of the Shadaloo crime organization. Bison stages a tournament to siphon enough Hado power to unlock his own special moves, a premise that the film dedicates minimal effort to fully justifying.
Sakurai and co-writer T.J. Fixman seem more interested in showcasing the franchise's diverse roster than in developing a compelling plot. This approach leans heavily on genre tropes for Ryu and Ken, an effort that falls short of the actors' potential. Noah Centineo's Ken is given more room to explore his insecurities stemming from Ryu's superior abilities, his restless energy providing a fun, "little brother" dynamic. However, Ken's motivations for participating in the tournament—whether to prove himself, honor his master, or save the world—remain unclear, diminishing the emotional impact of his later struggles.
Ryu's arc suffers from a poorly maintained throughline about his internal conflict with a latent dark power. His reluctance to engage in the tournament is embodied by Roman Reigns' demonic Akuma, a character whose inclusion feels somewhat shoehorned. While the anime scenes between Ryu and Ken are visually striking, their frequent repetition becomes a distracting crutch for explaining Akuma's significance. Andrew Koji delivers a compelling performance as Ryu, grounding the character's stoicism and providing a welcome contrast to the more cartoonishly emotive supporting cast. Koji and Centineo are at their best when their characters are bickering, particularly in an early hotel room fight that effectively balances performance and action.
Street Fighter rarely lets much time pass without a brawl, blending influences from Hong Kong cinema, anime, and 80s/90s action films. The fights, while often well-choreographed and performed, can feel overwhelming due to a scattershot approach that packs too many gags into action sequences. While the stunt team and actors like Koji handle complex choreography admirably, the film increasingly relies on VFX embellishments that do little to enhance the visceral impact.
The movie's expansive scope allows for a strong showing from the games' numerous fighters, whose unique personalities are a definite highlight. Characters like Chun-Li (Callina Liang), Guile (Cody Rhodes), Vega (Orville Peck), Dhalsim (Vidyut Jammwal), and Cammy (Mel Jarnson) are introduced early on, though their personal reasons for joining the tournament quickly become irrelevant. Freed from plot responsibilities, these fighters are allowed to embrace their bizarre and humorous aspects, with several leaving a memorable mark.
Andrew Schulz shines as Dan Hibiki, Ken's replacement best friend, whose initial money-hungry persona evolves into genuine care for his buddy. Schulz's portrayal of Dan's awkwardness around more formidable fighters provides frequent comedic moments. Eric Andre, as the emcee Don Sauvage, leans into his signature chaotic energy with great success. Cody Rhodes' Guile, entering with his iconic theme music, delivers strong charisma and comedic timing, though his screentime is limited. Cameos like Balrog and Zangief add unique energy, while Jason Momoa's CGI-heavy portrayal of Blanka is a source of amused bewilderment.
David Dastmalchian's M. Bison is another highlight, offering an off-kilter take on the imposing dictator, with his gratified descent into power addiction proving surprisingly effective. These characters exemplify the importance of strong casting, with performers compensating for underdeveloped roles. However, the film's handling of historically sexualized characters like Chun-Li and Cammy lacks an intelligent commentary, risking perpetuation rather than subversion. Despite varied character writing, the cast wholeheartedly embraces the film's ridiculous tone, keeping it afloat.
The film's 1990s setting is intended to provide campy energy, but the production design rarely evokes the period effectively, leaving the frequent needle drops to carry the nostalgic weight. Ultimately, Street Fighter is described as dumber than a box of rocks but capable of being fun with the right audience. While Sakurai struggles to focus the cast's energy into a cohesive story, the film's chaotic spirit and its successful action moments make it a worthwhile, if flawed, endeavor.