Early reviews for the new Street Fighter movie indicate that while the film delivers some exciting action, it struggles with pacing, narrative coherence, and tonal consistency. Critics generally agree that the movie is not a complete failure but falls short of being a strong adaptation of the beloved fighting game franchise.
Many reviewers pointed to the film's chaotic energy and numerous characters as a detriment to the storytelling. IGN, awarding the film a 6/10, noted that the story is "too thin to support its bloated roster," but praised its ability to "land as many punches as it can before the round timer hits zero," even if there are "plenty of misses."
The film's tonal shifts were frequently mentioned, with The Guardian describing it as "a garish and incoherent mess that amuses in fits and starts." The publication's 2/5 review suggested that the movie's self-aware acknowledgment of its own silliness would be more effective if the film itself transcended the tropes it mocks. ScreenRant, however, offered a more positive 7/10, crediting director Kitao Sakurai for "consistently entertaining fight scenes that are flush with personality and style," despite acknowledging "fundamentally flawed" storytelling.
ScreenCrush gave the film a 5/10, likening it to "a '90s mall arcade" that is enjoyable "for about 30 minutes." The review highlighted the "sheer absurdity and fevered intensity of the pacing" and "very athletic fight choreography" in the first act, but noted that the film eventually exhausts its initial energy.
The Associated Press awarded the film 1/4, calling it "a very enthusiastic, weirdly convoluted and jumbled mess." The review criticized the chaotic conception and messy plotting, suggesting that even the video game itself offers a more coherent experience. The Film Verdict echoed these sentiments, stating that Street Fighter "is a little bit of everything that amounts to a lot of not-much," failing to establish a functional formula despite incorporating successful elements from other game adaptations.
Conversely, Inverse found the film to be "the closest any filmmaker has come to bringing the franchise’s signature verve and bombast to the big screen." While acknowledging it might not be a film that lingers, their review described it as "a shot of adrenaline to the arm, the kind that you might get from hearing the coveted 'You Win' announcement after the end of a hard-fought match."
Variety noted that "something goes terribly awry in its back half," hinting at production issues or a flawed concept from the outset. The review described the film as "at war with itself," with disparate action and comedy elements undermining a central narrative. Gizmodo found the editing, transitions, and plot "frequently baffling," but conceded that the movie "can throw a punch when it wants to."
The Hollywood Reporter suggested that the film's attempt to balance fan service with accessibility would likely satisfy neither audience. The publication stated that the movie's tonal whiplash, swinging between serious and parody, makes it a forgettable adaptation for anyone but superfans.
Overall, the critical consensus paints a picture of a film that excels in specific action sequences but falters in its overarching narrative and tonal direction, leaving audiences with a decidedly mixed experience.