Street Fighter Review: Anime sequences and Andrew Koji elevate an underwhelming adaptation

Video game adaptations have surged in recent years, but Street Fighter struggles to capitalize on that momentum. Director Kitao Sakurai delivers a tonally inconsistent film that awkwardly balances a serious revenge story with over-the-top comedy. Strong performances from Andrew Koji and Andrew Schulz, along with entertaining action and impressive anime-inspired sequences, provide some much-needed bright spots. Unfortunately, weak storytelling and questionable creative decisions prevent Street Fighter from becoming a worthy adaptation of the beloved video game franchise.

Street Fighter Overview

Set in 1993, six years after a devastating encounter with Akuma (Roman Reigns), Street Fighter follows Ryu (Andrew Koji) as he struggles with his mentor’s death. Haunted by grief, the once-promising fighter has retreated into exile, leaving behind his adoptive brother, Ken Masters (Noah Centineo). Their fractured relationship resurfaces when Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits fighters for a new World Warrior tournament. The mysterious M. Bison (David Dastmalchian) organizes the competition, secretly designed to lure Ryu out of hiding.

Tonally, Sakurai never finds the right balance between emotional drama and absurd comedy. Ryu and Chun-Li pursue stories rooted in grief and vengeance, while the supporting cast seems to inhabit an entirely different movie. These abrupt shifts undermine the emotional stakes. It’s difficult to invest in the drama or simply turn your brain off and enjoy the spectacle.

The performances do little to bridge that divide. Koji brings much-needed gravitas to Ryu, although the material rarely showcases his considerable talents. Far less convincing is Centineo, whose portrayal of Ken lacks the emotional depth the character needs. Dastmalchian feels equally out of place as Bison. Meanwhile, Liang looks the part of Chun-Li but struggles to make an impression in an underdeveloped role.

Much of the entertainment comes from the supporting players. Schulz nearly steals the show as the hilariously obnoxious Dan Hibiki, while Cody Rhodes brings infectious energy to Guile. Perhaps the biggest surprise is Reigns, whose menacing performance makes Akuma genuinely intimidating.

Visually striking anime-inspired sequences provide some of the film’s most memorable moments. The action entertains, even if it falls short of this year’s Mortal Kombat II. Unfortunately, the World Warrior tournament feels like an afterthought, with several matches ending in forfeits rather than actual fights. An abrupt conclusion compounds the frustration, teasing a potentially more interesting sequel without delivering a satisfying ending.

A new tournament

At the heart of Street Fighter is the fractured relationship between Ryu and Ken. Their shared history should provide the film’s emotional foundation, but the supposed brotherhood never feels convincing. Despite repeated references to their past friendship, Koji and Centineo show little chemistry to suggest they once considered each other family.

Much of the problem stems from Centineo’s performance. His exaggerated approach to Ken might have worked in a more consistently comedic film. Instead, it clashes with the emotional weight Koji brings to Ryu. Even their confrontations lack the intensity needed to make years of resentment feel believable.

The screenplay does them few favors, either. Ryu’s grief over his mentor’s death offers a compelling starting point, particularly as his unresolved anger threatens to consume him. Yet the film rarely gives that internal conflict room to develop. Their relationship relies too heavily on exposition rather than meaningful interactions that demonstrate what they’ve lost.

These shortcomings become more frustrating as the World Warrior tournament unfolds. Rather than showcasing the franchise’s colorful roster of fighters, the competition largely serves as a convenient plot device. Several forfeits rob audiences of the battles they came to see.

Perhaps most disappointing is how abruptly the story ends. Much like the first Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter spends considerable time setting up a sequel that sounds more interesting than the movie itself. The larger conflict finally begins to take shape just as the credits approach. Instead of delivering a satisfying payoff, the film leaves audiences waiting for a better adventure.

Shared tragedies, wasted potential

One of Street Fighter’s biggest missed opportunities involves the similarities between Ryu and Chun-Li. Both are haunted by devastating losses, with grief continuing to shape their decisions years later. Their journeys offer a compelling opportunity to explore the destructive nature of vengeance. Each also carries secrets that complicate their relationships with those around them.

Unfortunately, the film barely scratches the surface of that connection. The film gives considerable attention to Ryu’s struggle with his mentor’s death, but Chun-Li’s pursuit of Bison rarely develops beyond a conventional revenge story. Their shared experiences could have helped both characters confront their pain. Instead, the screenplay keeps their emotional journeys largely separate.

Ken’s involvement adds another layer of unrealized potential. His complicated history with Ryu could have created an interesting dynamic alongside Chun-Li’s quest for justice. Together, the three should form the emotional backbone of Street Fighter. Yet they spend surprisingly little time interacting as a group.

The lack of development becomes especially frustrating given the film’s emphasis on its sprawling supporting cast. Comedic detours frequently take priority over the relationships that should drive the story. As a result, the central trio never develops the chemistry needed for their shared journey to resonate.

The ingredients for something more meaningful are already present. Ryu’s internal struggle could have complemented Chun-Li’s desire for justice, with Ken offering a different perspective on their shared experiences. Instead, their stories remain disconnected for much of the runtime. What should have been a compelling ensemble becomes three characters struggling to find their place in the same movie.

Street Fighter Final Thoughts

The best video game adaptations understand what makes their source material special. Street Fighter occasionally captures that appeal, but director Kitao Sakurai struggles to build a compelling movie around it. The result is a film that never fully embraces its own identity.

There’s nothing wrong with approaching Street Fighter as an outrageous action comedy. Some of its strongest moments come when the filmmakers embrace the franchise’s absurdity. Unfortunately, the movie also wants audiences to take its dramatic ambitions seriously without earning that investment.

Ultimately, Street Fighter feels caught between two competing visions. Neither gets the attention it needs to succeed. Somewhere in this uneven adaptation, a genuinely entertaining movie is waiting to emerge. Unfortunately, the finished product offers only glimpses of what could have been.