‘Street Fighter’ Review: A 90s-Throwback For The Ages
Kitao Sakurai’s Street Fighter is ripped from the ‘90s, with killer visuals, striking action sequences, and a remarkable ensemble cast. Its over-the-top approach may hold it back at times, but its commitment to absurdity makes it one of this year’s biggest surprises.
From franchise juggernauts like Resident Evil and Mortal Kombat II, to indie gems like Iron Lung, it’s safe to say that multiplexes around the world have been no strangers to video game movies this year. The latest entrant to the arena is Kitao Sakurai’s ‘Street Fighter’, marking yet another film adaptation of the beloved arcade classic. The film boasts a nearly two-hour runtime and, in true Street Fighter fashion, refuses to let go of the joystick and stop mashing buttons. It’s captivating from start to finish, and while a little overstuffed, is surely one of this year’s most surprising releases.
Let’s start with what works best: the cast. Street Fighter's cast features action stars, musicians, and even professional wrestlers, all embodying different characters from the video game series. The initial casting announcement was met with a fair amount of online confusion, and director Kitao Sakurai couldn’t be happier about it. FilmSpeak recently sat down with Sakurai, who explained that his outside-the-box casting approach was intended to match the gonzo-style of the source material. It’s safe to say he succeeded. Noah Centineo brings a lovable arrogance to Ken Masters, playing the rough-around-the-edges charmer with incredible poise. Opposite him is Andrew Koji as the stoic and apprehensive Ryu, bringing plenty of grit to his performance while balancing the absurdity of the world around him. The way Centineo and Koji play off each other feels like a true sibling bond, and their clashing personalities make for some of the film’s most memorable moments. The film’s true standouts, however, can be found in its ensemble cast. WWE star Cody Rhodes shines as Guile, bringing a major comedic edge to his role, while David Dastmalchian operates on a ridiculous level as M. Bison, the series’ iconic main villain. Callina Liang’s performance as Chun-Li is also sure to please fans of the character, as she anchors many of the film’s more serious moments. Some cast members, like 50 Cent, don’t get much to do beyond a few Instagram-worthy clips, while others make the most of their limited screen time (I’m looking at you, Orville Peck). Although sometimes a little much in terms of sheer volume, it’s safe to say that taking a bet on casting paid off, because this is surely among the best ensembles in recent memory.
Director Kitao Sakurai told FilmSpeak that he wanted this film to feel like an “alternate universe artifact” of the ‘90s, which comes down to both visual identity and tone. The film is shot beautifully by cinematographer Ken Seng, who blends different cinematic techniques to give each fight scene a palpable dynamic energy. A mix of frame rates, wide and narrow-angle lenses, beautiful lighting, and unique settings creates a rich visual palette that delights the eyes and gets the adrenaline pumping. The action sequences are some of this year’s most visually-striking, with impressive choreography to match, but what really stands out is their retro-influence. The absurdity of the video games series carries over into those scenes to a major degree. From a narrative standpoint, however, I would have loved to see more. We rarely see any fights from the film’s central tournament, with most sequences taking place outside the confines of the coliseum. Most of the tournament bouts occur off screen, which left me ultimately confused as to why.
Though strong in most aspects, Street Fighter’s story is far and away its weakest attribute. Most of the action films it’s mirroring embrace a “show, don’t tell” approach to over-the-top spectacles, a principle seemingly forgotten here. Several fight scenes are only ever referenced in the aftermath by characters who ultimately feel tacked-on to serve contractual obligations. That general feeling of overcrowding could have easily been resolved by throwing in less ensemble members, despite the impeccable casting. This also extends to the film’s ending, which is beyond abrupt, serving only to platform a sequel we may never see amidst the recent Skydance merger.
Street Fighter hits theaters worldwide on October 16th, and was a true standout in an already stacked fall movie season. From standout performances to outlandish action sequences, the film’s vision and individual identity more than makes up for its narrative shortcomings. Action and comedy fans alike will find a ton to love in this film, which is already projecting a strong opening weekend at the box office.