After winning the 1987 Street Fighter tournament, Ryu (Andrew Koji) vanished, while his friend Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) became a celebrated fighter. Now, a new tournament hosted by the villainous Lord M. Bison (David Dastmalchian) threatens the world, pulling Ryu and Ken back into action. Following previous failed adaptations, expectations were low, yet this film surprisingly delivers entertainment.
Director Kitao Sakurai brings affection and a comedic touch to the source material, balancing high-stakes drama with quirky, dysfunctional characters. The story, featuring fan favorites like Chun Li (Callina Liang) as an undercover agent and Balrog (50 Cent) as a boxer, offers opportunities for humor amidst action. Ryu’s backstory is explored through anime-style flashbacks, illustrating his inner demons and self-imposed exile.
Fight scenes are well-executed, short, and engaging, featuring martial arts that feel grounded, avoiding the weightlessness of prior adaptations. However, the plot is overly complicated and laden with sequel-baiting elements, alongside some historical inaccuracies.
Despite these flaws, the film compensates with sharp humor, such as an audience member’s witty asides during matches. While silly and overstuffed, there’s a palpable enjoyment among the cast and crew. Viewers are encouraged to lower their expectations and embrace the laughs—it’s an entertaining ride that effectively merges character-driven storytelling with action-packed sequences.
