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Street Fighter
Extreme Edition – Blu-ray![](https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=geeksofdoom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001L2ZSJE)
Written and Directed by Steven De Souza
Starring Jean Claude Van Damme, Raul Julia, Ming Na Wen
Universal Home Entertainment
Release date: February 10, 2009
As a young child, I was deprived of a lot of things. I never got a puppy like I always wanted. I have never had a sleepover with friends, eating junk food and play video games into the wee hours of the night, and above all else, I was never given the chance see the original Street Fighter movie.
Starring then superstar Jean Claude Van Damme , Street Fighter was Universal’s first and only attempt to try to cash in on the popular video game franchise. Though profitable in the box office, the movie was reviled by many of the fans of the game, which could have been the reason why I steered clear from the picture for so long. Well, since I had the chance to review the latest incarnation, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-L, I think it is only fitting that I also review its predecessor.
When evil dictator M. Bison (Raul Julia) holds a group of government relief workers, a group of heroes, led by Colonel William Guile(Van Damme) are brought together by fate to stop him. Infiltrating Bison’s stronghold in Shadaloo city, Guile and his gang of Street Fighters plan to end Bison’s reign of terror once and for all in an all-out slugfest.
After watching this film, I think I am actually glad I did not watch it when I was young. Had I done so, I would have torn it to pieces from the get-go, but watching it now I think I might actually like this film. The movie is far from perfect though. This is by no means anyone’s fond memories of Street Fighter brought to life on the big screen.
Sure, the costumes and the overall look of the film are true to the look of the game as it could be but therein lays the problem. The outfits just don’t translate well to the big screen. Bison looks ridiculous in his leather outfit with metal shoulder pads. Sure it looks cool in the game but in there, Bison huge and rippling with muscles. Here, Raul Julia is but a normal man and in that get-up, even the biggest man wouldn’t look imposing. And do not get me started on Blanka. The fake red hair and green body paint just does not cut it. I mean, come on, even TV’s Hulk looked more realistic.
It also seems that in an effort to please all the fans, nearly every Street Fighter character is included in the movie. This is yet another example of how too much of a good thing is bad. With such a long list of characters, you would assume some of the character’s origins would have to be altered to fit the story. As a result, Balrog the boxer is out and Balrog the cameraman is as Chun-Li (Ming Na Wen) is in. Plenty of others get a makeover as well, from Chun-Li the TV reporter, Ryu and Ken the gunrunners, and E. Honda the other camera guy. Add Dee-Jay and Zangeif as Bison’s henchmen and you have yourself a recipe for disaster.
The movie’s plot and dialogue is no better. The dialogue is cheesy and filled with corny one-liners.
Example: Bison: For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life. For me, it was Tuesday.
Another example: Government Official: Colonel, have you lost your mind? Guile: No, you have lost your balls.
It is just an endless parade of terrible dialogue.
Van Damme does what he can with what he is given but with his limited acting ability, this boat sinks right from the start. It is a shame that this is the last movie that Raul Julia starred in before he passed away but he looked like he was having a good time doing it.
So, with all these bad things to say about the film, why did I find this movie so fun to watch? Well, there is a point where a movie reaches the point of being so bad that it actually becomes good. It is just so over the top and goofy that you can’t help but chuckle at the mess this movie became. From the final seconds of the film where everyone poses for the camera to Zangief and E Honda fighting like two monsters from a Godzilla movie, the filmmakers do everything they possibly can to make the movie as unwatchable as possible and it is for that reason alone that I like this film. It dares to be totally cheesy and at times, even dumb, something most filmmakers do not do anymore.
Basically taking everything from the DVD version, Street Fighter remains the same as its DVD counterpart with the exception of the better Blu-Ray quality and the additional Street Fighter 4 video game trailers.
I do not recommend you see this movie expecting it to be a great film. From the acting right down to the special effects, this movie is a total mess. But, if you are interested in watching a goof, poorly conceived, poorly executed fighting movie or have a soft spot for Van Damme (a fact even yours truly is guilty of), then Street Fighter is just the movie for you.
I remember my family renting this film when it came out on VHS (I didn’t get to see it in the theatres… this and MK needed some home viewing, in my parents eyes)
I seem to remember enjoying it for what it was, without training my film discerning eye on it (my father is a theatre and film Prof)
I haven’t seen it in many many years though, and I think I’m going to use that Tuesday line on someone
Comment by Schutzenegger — March 17, 2009 @ 6:06 pm