Thirty years ago, in December 1994, Street Fighter hit movie theaters. As someone walking in to see a Jean-Claude Van Damme-led action flick based on a video game, expectations were calibrated accordingly – low. Having never deeply engaged with the Street Fighter game lore, the film was approached with a blank slate, free from the burden of franchise fidelity. The initial impression? A forgettable, cheap action movie. Memories of Street Fighter quickly faded, especially after being followed shortly by the cinematic masterpiece Before Sunrise.
However, time and perspective can be transformative. Fast forward to 2024, a retrospective look at the late Raul Julia’s career for a podcast episode led to a revisit of Street Fighter. Julia’s tragic passing shortly before the film’s release added a layer of poignancy to what was his final film role. Re-watching Street Fighter after three decades brought a surprising revelation: it’s genuinely enjoyable. While undeniably a low-budget production and starring a somewhat wooden Van Damme, the movie’s self-awareness became strikingly apparent, eliciting genuine laughs and a newfound appreciation.
Written and directed by Steven E. de Souza, known for action classics like Die Hard and 48 Hrs., Street Fighter establishes its narrative with surprising efficiency and wit. Set in the fictional nation of Shadaloo, the story plunges into a civil war between the tyrannical General Bison (Raul Julia) and the Allied Nations, spearheaded by Colonel William Guile (Jean-Claude Van Damme). The film cleverly incorporates newsreel footage featuring real-life journalist Sander Vanocer to ground the fantastical setting, and even includes a voice cameo from Adrian Cronauer (of Good Morning, Vietnam fame) to set the scene with a cheeky, “Gooooooood morning, Shadaloo!” Within minutes, the film’s playful tone is established, drawing the viewer into its over-the-top world.
One of the most significant aspects that resonated upon re-evaluation was Raul Julia’s portrayal of General Bison. Knowing that Julia was facing serious health issues during filming adds a layer of depth to his performance. Initially, his visibly ill appearance was distracting. However, understanding his motivations – providing for his children and fulfilling their wish to see him in a movie they could enjoy – casts his role in a new light. Julia clearly embraced the opportunity to create a memorable, larger-than-life villain, akin to a General Zod, and he succeeds spectacularly. His Street Fighter Bison is not just a villain; he’s a theatrical force of nature.
Julia’s Bison Street Fighter is a masterclass in scenery-chewing villainy. He dispatches enemies with dramatic flair, revels in his opulent dictator’s lair (complete with bizarre art choices), and delivers quotable lines with relish. When showcasing his vision for “Bisonopolis,” he casually suggests, “We should make the food court a little bigger.” In a particularly memorable scene, after Chun-Li (Ming-Na Wen) recounts Bison’s brutal destruction of her village and her subsequent quest for justice, Bison dismissively retorts, “For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life. But for me, it was Tuesday.” This line perfectly encapsulates Bison’s egocentric and dismissive nature, becoming an instant classic for Street Fighter fans.
Of course, Street Fighter (1994) is not without its flaws. De Souza’s direction is competent given the budgetary constraints and the challenges of working with Van Damme, whose on-set behavior reportedly caused numerous delays and further strained the already tight budget. The special effects, particularly the super-soldier transformation scene, are undeniably dated and cheesy, reminiscent of low-budget 70s TV shows. One can’t help but wonder what a Street Fighter movie with a larger budget and perhaps a different lead could have achieved. Imagine an Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role of Guile, for instance.
Despite its shortcomings, Street Fighter proved to be a significant box office success, exceeding initial expectations. It also performed well in the home video market. Capcom, the owner of the Street Fighter franchise, reportedly still earns millions of yen annually from the film, demonstrating its enduring appeal and profitability. This unexpected financial longevity speaks to the movie’s ability to connect with audiences despite critical panning at the time.
Interestingly, coinciding with the movie’s release was a one-shot comic book adaptation by DC Comics, Street Fighter: The Battle for Shadaloo. This 60-page comic, created by Nick Napalitano, Bob Downs, and Mike McAvennie, embodies the “Extreme!!!” aesthetic of the 90s, prioritizing non-stop action over the film’s humorous undertones. While packed with fighting, it lacks the self-aware wit that makes the movie surprisingly enjoyable. Notably, the comic omits the film’s iconic, cheesy hero team shot, a missed opportunity given its inherent comic book-like quality.
As is typical with film-to-comic adaptations, Street Fighter: The Battle for Shadaloo comic likely drew from the shooting script or an early movie cut. Consequently, it includes the film’s original post-credits scene, where Street Fighter Bison is revealed to have survived, promising a future confrontation in a manner reminiscent of Ming the Merciless. Director Steven de Souza initially removed this scene due to Raul Julia’s passing, deeming it inappropriate, but later reinstated it for home video releases.
Revisiting Street Fighter has been a rewarding exercise in re-evaluation. Films don’t change, but perspectives do. Instead of viewing Street Fighter as a disappointing final role for Raul Julia, it’s now appreciated as a chance for a great actor to indulge in a gloriously over-the-top performance as Street Fighter Bison, creating a villain that his children, and audiences worldwide, could enjoy. This, in itself, is a legacy more valuable than many films achieve. Raul Julia’s Street Fighter Bison remains a memorable and surprisingly entertaining part of cinematic history.
