The Street Fighter franchise, a cornerstone of the fighting videogame world, attempted to reignite its cinematic presence 15 years after the widely panned 1994 film. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li aimed to deliver a fresh take, focusing on the origin story of Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk), a pianist from a wealthy Bangkok family. However, instead of a triumphant return, the movie unfortunately lands as a soulless and uninspired reboot that fails to capture the essence of the beloved game.
The narrative kicks off with a childhood trauma: Chun-Li witnessing the abduction of her powerful businessman father by the villainous M. Bison (Neal McDonough) and his imposing henchman, Balrog (Michael Clarke Duncan). Years later, driven by vengeance, Chun-Li embarks on a journey to confront Bison and his criminal empire, Shadaloo. Under the tutelage of kung fu master Gen (Robin Shou), she hones her fighting skills, preparing to face Bison head-on. Along the way, she encounters allies in law enforcement agents Charlie Nash (Chris Klein) and Maya Sunee (Moon Bloodgood), and adversaries like the masked, clawed fighter Vega (Taboo).
However, any nostalgic anticipation for a thrilling Street Fighter movie quickly dissipates. Many viewers might find themselves surprisingly preferring the campy 1994 Street Fighter movie, despite its flaws. While that original film was undeniably over-the-top and cheesy, it possessed a certain bizarre charm and entertainment value that is completely absent in this dour reboot. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li is ultimately a joyless experience, plagued by poor performances, clunky dialogue, and remarkably underwhelming fight choreography.
Street Fighter The Legend of Chun-Li movie review video thumbnail from IGN, highlighting criticism of the film.
Kristin Kreuk delivers a performance that is merely adequate, standing out only because the rest of the cast struggles even more. While she handles the fight sequences with some competence, in a movie titled Street Fighter, one expects dynamic and exciting fights to be a central element. Instead, the film presents tired, wire-assisted sequences that feel dated. The fights lack any sense of real danger or impactful combat, failing to showcase the characters’ strength or fighting prowess. Even animated brawls in shows like Family Guy offer more compelling and entertaining action. The movie meanders from one poorly executed action scene to another, culminating in a weak and anticlimactic finale.
The supporting cast further contributes to the film’s shortcomings. Neal McDonough’s portrayal of M. Bison is particularly jarring, marred by an inexplicable and distracting Irish accent. This choice becomes even more absurd given the backstory presented: Bison is depicted as an orphan raised in Bangkok after being born to Irish missionaries. Despite spending his entire life in Thailand, his accent inexplicably resembles that of an Irish rock star, defying logic and immersion. This Bison is far removed from the iconic, dictator-like figure from the games, instead resembling a mundane crime boss focused on Bangkok real estate acquisition. The stakes are disappointingly low and uninspired.
Michael Clarke Duncan, a respected actor, is unfortunately reduced to a glorified messenger for Bison. Balrog’s role is minimal, mostly limited to delivering messages and serving as a background presence. Fans hoping for Vega to be a memorable villain will be disappointed. His screen time is surprisingly brief, and his single significant fight scene is underwhelming, failing to establish him as a credible threat. Moon Bloodgood’s character, Maya Sunee, adds little to the narrative, seemingly included only as a potential romantic interest for Nash and offering minimal impact on the plot.
Chris Klein’s performance as Charlie Nash is a highlight for all the wrong reasons, delivering one of the most unintentionally comical portrayals in recent memory. His Nash comes across as an arrogant and incompetent law enforcement agent, constantly squinting and posing, issuing orders without clear authority, and contributing little to the actual investigation. His character even falls asleep during surveillance, making his supposed pursuit of Bison seem utterly farcical. Furthermore, Nash, a character from a fighting game, resorts to using a handgun instead of engaging in any hand-to-hand combat, rendering his inclusion in a Street Fighter movie pointless.
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li may have aimed for a more grounded and realistic approach, but it swung too far in that direction, sacrificing the fun and excitement that define the source material. While it avoids the over-the-top campiness of its predecessor, it becomes significantly more tedious and forgettable. This videogame adaptation tragically misses the point of what made Street Fighter popular in the first place: its inherent fun and engaging action.
1.5 out of 5 Stars, 3/10 Score
