If you find the title a bit on the nose, then you’re already halfway to understanding the issues with Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li. This 2009 film aimed to reboot the franchise, this time centering on the origin story of Chun Li, a character beloved by fans of the games. Moving away from the campy 1994 Van Damme version, this film attempts a more serious and gritty take, but unfortunately stumbles in execution.
The plot revolves around Chun Li, portrayed as a gifted pianist and martial artist, whose life is shattered when her father is abducted by the criminal organization led by M. Bison. Bison, aiming to control Bangkok, becomes Chun Li’s target as she grows up and trains under a mystic to confront him. While a Chun Li focused origin story held promise, the narrative quickly descends into a mix of clichés and convoluted, almost sci-fi level absurdities. Ideas such as being “rid of your goodness” are presented as serious plot devices, which is indicative of the script’s overall weakness.
The screenplay is burdened with dialogue that often feels unnatural and characters that lack depth. This issue is compounded by performances that struggle to elevate the material. Chris Klein, in particular, delivers a performance that misses the mark, failing to embody the intended tough and intimidating persona. The acting choices and character portrayals contribute to the film’s overall lack of impact.
Even the action sequences, which should be a highlight in a Street Fighter movie, are underwhelming. The fight choreography appears overly staged and lacks a sense of realism or visceral impact. While the film includes some signature moves from the video games, these moments, instead of being exciting fan service, come across as awkward and out of place within the film’s intended tone. Had the action been approached with a more lighthearted, cartoonish style, similar to the 1994 Street Fighter, it might have been more fitting and entertaining, but in this context, it simply feels misguided.
Ultimately, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li fails to capture the essence of the source material. Where the Van Damme film, despite its flaws, possessed a self-aware humor and provided some level of entertainment, this iteration aims for a darker, more serious tone that it cannot sustain, resulting in a film that is neither engaging nor a worthy addition to the Street Fighter legacy.
