'Street Fighter' Is Exactly What You Hoped and Feared It Would Be

Key Points:

• Director Kitao Sakurai’s Street Fighter features well-choreographed fight scenes and impressive 2D animation sequences by Titmouse, especially in flashbacks, but suffers from baffling editing and confusing scene transitions.
• The film’s plot centers on Ryu and Ken Masters, with Ken portrayed as a celebrity stunt fighter trying to regain respect through the second World Warrior Tournament, but the storyline becomes convoluted and loses focus after the tournament begins.
• A lengthy 10-minute sequence and many disconnected scenes contribute to a disjointed narrative, with much of the tournament action occurring off-screen and key conflicts left unresolved, making the film feel like half a movie designed to set up a sequel.
• Despite its flaws, the movie maintains a campy tone that pays homage to the source material, includes clever Easter eggs, and shows affection for Capcom’s games, but its storytelling and editing issues detract from the overall experience.
• Street Fighter opens in theaters on October 16, offering stylish action and spectacle but falling short in coherent storytelling and plot development.