Street Fighter (1994) - Movie Review - Kim Justice

#movies #review #streetfighter #documentary
Happy New Year! And welcome to the dawning of a new era...to celebrate, here's something that hasn't happened in a while: A MOVIE review! And what a movie it is...it's Street Fighter - my personal favourite video game movie! Often reviled, certainly rather calamitous but frequently freaking awesome...it's special - and as is common, this video will go behind the scenes into the genesis, the casting, and all that other shit that went on behind the scenes. What more could you want? For you, the day this video appeared in your Subscriptions feed was the most important day of your life...but for me, it was Tuesday. Enjoy!
STREET FIGHTER (1994) is the property of Capcom and Universal. The movie was directed and written by Steven E. de Souza and stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, Raul Julia, Kylie Minogue, Ming-Na Wen, Byron Mann, Damian Chapa and Simon Callow.
FURTHER READING: There are two sources of great note that very much helped with the creation of this video. The first is the article "Street Fighter The Movie - What Went Wrong" by Chris Plante @ Polygon: www.polygon.com/features/2014/... - a definitive feature article on the creation of the movie.
The second is "Street Fighter The Movie Broke My Heart", a series of Shoryuken forum posts by Alan Noon, who worked on the Street Fighter: The Movie Game - forums.shoryuken.com/discussio... - while the game is not covered in this video, this has invaluable info on the digitising process, and some insight into the actors involved.
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[@Kim_Justice]

If you liked this then think about having a gander through my social media, and get yourself on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/KimbleJustice

[@SomeOrangeCat]

Raul Julia made the movie watchable in my opinion. His Bison dollars bit kills me, every time!

[@skyMcWeeds]

absolutely while other people see Raul Julia's Bison a smudge in his acting career to me it was a blessing since for such a bad movie his Bison was the only redeeming part of it. And also Julia did it out of love for his kids that are SF fans. Rest in Peace Raul Julia.

[@KoxisVerserken]

@@skyMcWeeds pretty much nailed it...

[@vaporwave2345]

Awesome vid Kimble! Never expected to see a review of this! Cheers Bro!

[@allenpearson]

The first and best street fighter movie was bloodsport in sure it was the original inspiration for the game

[@fightingmedialounge519]

I bet they were kicking themselves for bot doing a tournament after the mk movie .

[@RetroGamerBB]

Quick change the channel! I'd like to see the rated R cut

[@Feenix102]

Some Hindus shave their heads in mourning - I'm wondering if that's something to do with Dhalsim's baldness near the end of the film.

[@Jayfive276]

You can only describe Van Damme's delivery of dialogue as "Wiseau-esque"

[@burgerwolfbrown735]

He just needed a wakka call

[@burgerwolfbrown735]

I want to see Tommy Wiseau in an SF movie "I did not hit her its not true thats bullsh*t I did not. Oh hi Guile" "You're taring me apart,Chun Li!"

[@MadGaz85]

A sequel with Van Damme almost happened in the early noughties, with some of the old cast also returning and some replaced with others (Holly Valance was a name that popped up, presumably taking Kylie's role). Alas, it got scrapped and reworked as Legend of Chun-Li, where the writers seemed to confuse Bison with Geese Howard! It'll be interesting to see how the Assassins Fist guys tackle their sequel. Whoever plays Bison will be instantly compared to Raul Julia so they'll have to cast well!

[@KentaroMiyamoto21]

Yeah, now *that* was a garbage movie.

[@joserobertoferreira5155]

Great video, Kim! Lots of love for Raul Julia....

[@Spudcore]

So sad about Raul Julia! Still, so awesome that he was such a pro to play Bison with such gusto so close to the end. Amazing actor!

[@mikerotch4875]

I love how informative your videos are. Keep up the good work. Raul Julia played Dictator better than Dictator ever could. I know it was forever ago, but I'm glad you decided to come back. I never really knew about the Amiga and I was surprised just how popular the Master System was in Europe. Completely surreal.

[@heidirichter]

That was, quite simply, epic. Not just up to the usual quality I have come to expect, but a step above, which I didn't think was possible. Thank you! I have not seen the movie in many years, but now find myself wanting to watch it again, and I have a feeling it will be the first movie I see in 2016. Top work!

[@Traillblazer]

I'm one of the rare few that enjoyed this movie so much I saw it twice in the cinema, bought the movie novel, the manga comic book version and the trading cards. I still enjoy it to this day to the point where I didn't want the boring region 2 DVD that has no special features, I had to get the region 1 "Extreme Edition". I know Raul Julia was gravely ill but does anyone else think he looked and sounded like Christopher Lloyd in this role or is that just me?!

[@B33FY2011]

I also really enjoyed it and didn't think it think it deserves the crap it gets and think if Raul Julia was still with us today there for sure would of been a direct sequel to this movie.

[@ivorbiggen5615]

they could of at least got an American to play Guile and a Brit to play Cammy! this movie is so corny

[@eazye088]

I did too when I was 7.

[@Cookie_85]

I have the feeling Raul would have been an excellent Dr.Doom if he would have lived.

[@craigfuller5067]

wasn't expecting to tear up watching a review of the street fighter movie! well done, thank you

[@MDthornton83]

Excellent review once again. And good points on the film's troubled production history. Plus, RIP Raul Julia.

[@HrvojeGrahovac]

Finally! A good review of Street Fighter with no bashing. Also, De Souza did say in the interview with Bristol Bad Film Club that the first cut was PG-13 but for some reason the MPAA gave it a R-rating

[@TheInfiniteMiseryJumper]

Another brilliant, thought provoking review. Thank you for making such great videos.

[@Rosenthal147]

I just love your videos!! Thank you, keep up the good work!

[@Cephlin]

Great video Kim! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[@PictureProductStudio]

A very heartwarming and nice review of a movie that deserves it's cult following. I should say that both Richard Newman and Neal McDonough also were great versions of the character, also Raul Julia was simply a fantastic actor that is hard to be outmatched even by such huge personalities like Tim Curry (who portrayed Gomez Addams after him and was good, but not as great).

[@therealdeejaydosmuchoz1561]

The soundtrack was slept on, good job for scoring this video with it!

[@sinjeet1]

Brilliant review, best one yet. I'd stand up and applause if you could see it!

[@diecarro79]

Great video as always! This film has so many things going on, good and bad, that makes it a way more interesting film than it appears at a first glance. One thing that you didn't mention in the video is that many (all?) of the characters don't change into their signature costumes until the middle or the end of the film; something that the filmmakers put some thought into.

[@LionPelt]

Just found your channel. You do great work

[@SegaCDUniverse]

I always loved the American flag tattoo on someone from Brussels. ha

[@triplestar100]

nice in-depth mini-documental vid as usual, Kim! speaking of Capcom & fighting, any chance I can convince you to talk about their lesser-known-yet-not-forgotten fight franchises like The Rumble Fish, Rival Schools/Project Justice, Warzard/Red Earth, Power Stone and (my personal fave) Vampire/DarkStalkers... pretty please? cheers from The Bronx!

[@ShowRyuKen]

Kim, I've got to say I LOVE your approach to your subject matter. I was a bit skeptical about watching this vid at first in fear of a typical Guy with the Glasses-style thing, so your immediate refusal to do the old Nostalgia Critic bit and instead take an in-depth look at the backstory is JUST what I was really hoping this vid would be. Cheers for making your videos!

[@matthewporter5048]

Great video as usual, glad you didn't just blindly hate on it like a lot of other reviewers.

[@vvstreetfightervv]

I remember seeing this the weekend it opened. I'm fine with the film for what it was, but man I'd really like to see that r-rated cut...

[@mohacs1000]

Good stuff! Hope you do Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat and Silent Hill.

[@GameGameHeaven]

Really good review! I was a big Street Fighter fan and went right to the cinema back in the day, together with my friends and my dad. We saw the movie and he said "That was the worst shitty movie I ever saw.". But it didn't bother me, I liked the movie. In fact I like it even today somehow and I love Raul Julia. It's so sad that he died right after this.

[@Larry]

You a fan of Oliver Harper Elm?

[@Kim_Justice]

+Larry Bundy Jr I know the name (and he's commented on vids before) but haven't really watched anything (sorry if you're reading!)

[@Larry]

Kim Justice Aah, you might like him if you're into retrospectives on old movies.

[@franklinclinton3476]

+Kim Justice can you review Pokemon the 1st movie

[@Phoenix2312]

+Larry Bundy Jr Will look him up! I love Retrospectives on Old Movies... :)

[@Larry]

Warren Marris Sweet, yeah he's really good. Also none of that forced mugging the camera nonsense.

[@AndreEichstedt]

Kim, I love this Movie still today. I think the Story and the cast is great ;-) Thanks Andre ;-)

[@Shady00018]

Mortal Kombat movie review?

[@mourasantos]

+Shady00018 Fittingly, Mortal Kombat film > Street Fighter film Mortal Kombat game > Streetfighter game At least for me.

[@mikerotch4875]

+Shady00018 I have only 2 words ....... MORTAL KOMBAAAAAAT!

[@franklinclinton3476]

+Situations103 or Pokemon the 1st Movie

[@stacyross4064]

Shady00018 I

[@gundanout11]

In 2003, Jean-Claude Van Damme was actually working on a sequel, "Street Fighter II", for Universal, which had released the original. Several cast members had been hired to join him in the sequel, including his Universal Soldier (1992) co-star Dolph Lundgren in an unrevealed role, Australian actress Holly Valance would have replaced Kylie Minogue as Cammy White and Damian Chapa would have reprised his role as Ken Masters. Byron Mann was also reportedly in talks to return as Ryu Hoshi. However, after a few years of trying to get the sequel off the ground, the project never materialized and any plans for a sequel were scrapped in favor of a reboot, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009), when the Street Fighter film rights reverted from Universal Pictures to 20th Century Fox.

[@gamesessions]

I enjoyed this movie as a kid, but I do remember being a little disappointed by Ryu and Ken's roles and the lack of special moves. Of course I knew why it was done - but kids like special effects :) As for your review, I very much enjoyed it, as I do most of your work. It's a shame you didn't reference the animated movie as an example of how things could have been done better/differently. But then I can understand wanting to keep things live action. Finally, do you think Tim Currie could have played Bison? :p

[@coffinmatt]

While I'm sure this has already been posted down below, I just thought I'd point out that people might recognise Andrew Bryniarski (Zangief) from his role in Batman Returns. He plays Chip Shreck in the movie and does a pretty serviceable Christopher Walken impression in the process.

[@coffincrusher]

Hell yeah, movie reviews good call man! FIRST COMMENT FUCK YEA

[@Cazz8203]

great review...I never really hated this movie like everyone else but I was disappointed.... but it didn't matter cause I had a copy of the much better street fighter 2 the animated movie...I'm surprised you didn't mention it

[@Champion2D]

I remember coming out of the cinema being so disappointed by this film. I think over time I grew to appreciate the film for what it was as quite a funny, so bad it's good kind of way. This was further compounded when Street Fighter the legend of Chun Li come out. I honestly thought it couldn't get much worse than the 94 effort but I was very wrong lol Street Fighter II the animated movie was THE movie for the fans at the time. I still love it to this day. Hopefully you'll cover sometime in the future.

[@Wabin22]

Yeah Mr Julia, we did bow to you in humble gratitude!

[@LucatheDingo88]

here's my experience with (Street Fighter: The Movie) I didn't even know this film existed when it first came out in 1994, I first saw it when it was aired on TV in the mid 2000's and at the time I thought it looked really dumb. But here's the thing the first Street Fighter movie I saw as a kid was not the live action film but an anime film that was released in the english speaking world as (Street Fighter II: The Animated movie) as the time I really enjoyed it and even watching it years later it still holds up much better than the live action film, you mention how trying to copy the tournament plot of the game would not translate well into film and they would have to make some changes, and the anime film also recognised this and created an original plot for it's universe rather then having it be a fighting tournament. I still sort of view the live action film as very cringy and hard to sit through as I'm constantly reminded of the vastly supperior anime film and am thinking I would rather be watching that instead. it's also IMO more true to the spirit of Street Fighter then the live action film is. I think this also made me develop a belief that you can't really do a video game movie justice with a live action adaptation as what works in a video game doesn't always work in real life, and Street Fighter's universe is no exception IMO. Also worth noting that in the anime film they managed to get a 16 characters from the current updates of the game at the time, even if alot of them only had minor cameos they still managed to pull it off better than the live action film could.

[@russmorgan315]

Hey Kim, ever thought of doing a review of the Manga Street Fighter II movie?

[@Phoenix2312]

Very good video... I have to admit that Street Fighter - The Movie is a Guilty Pleasure to me... And mainly for two Reasons - Zangief who is just HILARIOUS!!! But the main one, Raul Julia - Always an actor who gave everything his all... The man was a master of his craft and there are few in Hollywood that can match him. He was one of those people who looked upon his chosen career as just that - His Job, and he would do all he could to perform his best at his job regardless of how bad a role may be or how Cheesy a script was... To me he stands among many greats such as Sir Alec Guiness and even though I only got to know his acting through The Adams Family (Having watched many older works since...) he made such an impact on me... He was truly inspiring - So when he passed I was almost as Heartbroken as when I heard of the death of Comedy Legend Norman Wisdom (Whom I grew up with!)... ...No! I lie... I was MORE heartbroken! I would so love to have seen more from Julia, I do feel he was taken far too soon.

[@anggisetiadi8655]

Great review.

[@bedder470]

Ha! Scott Steiner... He'd be great in Street Fighter, because he's got a 141 and two thirds percent chance of winning any fight, making him basically invulnerable.

[@doug8798]

Great Review, I love this film despite the flaws it was a great Action/Adventure Fantasy Film. The only things I disagreed with was when you said they couldn't adapt Street Fighter 2 into a movie. BloodFist 1 and 2, Shootfighter, Mortal Kombat 1995, Superfights 1995,and even Tekken and King of Fighters Movies were technically Street Fighter done right.

[@rabidrabbitshuggers]

“It must absolutely not be a ‘Tournament Movie’.” THE WHOLE FUCKING GAME IS A TOURNAMENT.

[@blinkshadown]

oooohhhh god, im never dissapointent with your videos but is there some good in this movie?

[@chriscraven9335]

Oh and Bryniarsky played American football linemen in the flicks THE PROGRAM and ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. Beyond those and the ones Kim mentioned...I dunno

[@burgerwolfbrown735]

Kim Justice remember the Street Fighter code. Justice. Discipline. Commitment

[@striderreborn1467]

Apparently, Andrew also was in a number of other films too. (He was also "Butterfinger" in Hudson Hawk but was quite unrecognizable. lol en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Bryniarski

[@GamingMill]

Never seen this film, even though I'm of a 'certain vintage'. I might seek out my Corrupt Uncle to give a go. Thanks, once again, Kim Justice!

[@Lorfarius]

Its nowhere near in the same league as the anime they did but this still holds up as a good romp. JCVD is funny in almost every film he does.

[@battroman8965]

Awesome thank you

[@Texy88]

You owe it to yourself to see _Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie_ and _Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist_; after seeing either or both of those it would be a miracle if you ever wanted to willingly watch _Street Fighter_ (1994) again!

[@fightingmedialounge519]

I think he just might.

[@SegaCDUniverse]

I love this movie, and the game the movie the game. Such cheese, such awesome awesome cheese.

[@PhoenixNL72-DEGA-]

I have always liked the street fighter movie more then the mortal combat one. I find it to be more memorable for some reason.

[@aceius4502]

There may not of been a sequal but the animated movie that came out about same time really showed how this film could of been done and no need for any plot lifts from here

[@joxidearmageddonator882]

i love this film and have done since i first saw it on channel 4 circa 2002 when i was a kid

[@ChrisDoesTV]

Kim have you done any tenchu reviews?

[@chrisbomber101]

btw still waiting on my spectrum Dizzy games reviews (2 years waiting now) +Kim Justice

[@Kim_Justice]

+chrisbomber101 Patience, grasshopper. Not much longer!

[@chrisbomber101]

thank you :-)

[@bruceacosta356]

+Kim Justice Mr Justice do you like Joey Ansah's live action Street Fighter;: Assassin's Fist?

[@RobGMun]

It was a terrible movie but i always felt that Chun-Li and Cammy were very well cast for the time. kylie minogue had the right build (and ass) for Cammy and i'm yet to see a better live action Chun-Li, even when taking Cosplayers into account

[@gundanout11]

The Legend of Chun-li was the worse that it made the 1994 look like a masterpeace.

[@avalond1193]

I love this movie, great video

[@jacobson084]

I enjoyed it quite a lot when it came out in 1994 that's the only year when this movie was relevant. It was made for kids playing Street Fighter 2, it didn't aim for adults.

[@michaelparker2449]

I wouldn't exactly say that Ryu and Ken are the main characters of the game, but they were the main characters that people played.

[@hyliangirl7214]

I remember this movie causing a lot of confusion for me. I was probably too young when I watched it but it was very jarring trying to place the personalities from the movie back into the game. Especially Dhalsim (and I've probably butchered the spelling of his name there sorry) I could never quite see that ancient grey man with stretchy arms moonlighting as a scientist!

[@themanwiththeplan1401]

Kim Justice can you do street fighter 2 Arcade and ports please.

[@themanwiththeplan1401]

with all the editions of street fighter 2. It would be so epic, and cover so many system just up your alley.

[@Gxpblog]

What did you think of the Street Fighter 2 animated movie?

[@burgerwolfbrown735]

Yes i saw that movie i thought it was good and it focused on less characters just having Guile, Chun Li, Ryu and Ken with Bison as the main villain and when other characters did appear they only had short roles. I think when Bison is the villain of the story they shouldn't bring Ryu and Ken since Bison has nothing to do with them and the same with Ryu and ken they have nothing to do with Bison i think Akuma is a villain for Ryu and Ken so when Bison is a villain the story should focus on Guile, Cammy and Chun Li Did you see the other animated movies?

[@whatamalike]

The guy playing as dhalsim also played as Beria in the movie about the comrade 'Stalin'...inspired choice i reckon

[@Texy88]

+madcapoperator ...and he famously played Chattar Lal in _Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom_.

[@whatamalike]

+Texy88 Oh shit yeah!

[@Kim_Justice]

+madcapoperator Also Nehru in Gandhi! Roshan Seth's done a lot of stuff.

[@HossTheSlop]

I had completely forgot that Milkweed was in this movie. (Only Blood In Blood Out fans will get that.)

[@SegaCDUniverse]

Next Double Dragon and MK! X D

[@djhabibi04]

Bravo again Mr Justice!

[@burgerwolfbrown735]

If you were making this movie which character would you have used instead of all of them?

[@burgerwolfbrown735]

Now that i know SF the movie could've been rated R a part of me wonders what a rated R street Fighter movie would be like

[@theflyingninja1]

According to Sonic the Comic, Ben Kingsley was supposed to play Dhalsim.

[@IAmTakeo]

Watch him in the movie "The Program" has a great role of a football player abusing steroids. Has a little more character in the movie.

[@eazye088]

I always thought Dolph Lundgren would've made a better Guile.

[@IAmTakeo]

This along with Mortal Kombat, and SMB. I think it was a pretty good videogame movie. It's a different time now, but when most watch movies from a different time period they forget their watching with different eyes. Back then we cared a little more when making material obviously aimed at children. No chance of a rated R Street Fighter movie. Now today they remove the small nudity an the word fuck, for decapitations and gutting in PG-13 movies.

[@Harp00nX]

I'd take the SF2 scene from City Hunter over this every day it's so much more entertaining. Capcom really chose the wrong path for this movie they should have used the game's plot, at least the anime version was much better.

[@Valentine82]

Kim tell me you've seen the awesome Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist? Probably the best video game movie of all time!

[@Ninjistic]

16:00 why is there a john wayne gacy painting in the background

[@Ponaru]

Holy shit there totally is! I've never caught that before. lol How random and out of place.

[@abelvelasco6267]

I own the bluray and I love it, the bes movie to drink beer with friends

[@Khamug]

my friends would not look at me a second time if I proposed that as a pastime

[@dgambo1985]

do double dragon please.

[@MrVidification]

The animated manga movie was much better, I still have that on vhs and dvd-although I wish it wasn't dubbed

[@theshakter]

MK Movie had a tournament and it had a lot more meaning.

[@dennisbridgewater6293]

Did you do jackie Chan fist of fire arcade video game and the untouchables arcade video game

[@ricardolima9411]

That movie was awesome to be honest.

[@SegaCDUniverse]

Please tell me you'e seen Street Fighter: The Later Years LOL

[@WaffleAfterHours]

I forgot about Kickassia

[@Lone432345]

Raul Julia R.I.P.

[@iestynthomas2065]

Love your vids kim but oh lordy do i hate this film. It's a bit of a sad epitaph for a classy actor like Raul Julia IMO, but it's all about tastes and if you get pleasure from the film props to you.

[@redsoxfan8105]

I take the movie for what it is a classic b movie! it's so bad it's great!

[@andymcewan5505]

that was beautiful

[@HellhammerSS]

Guile vs Bison was like Trump vs Hilary (Hilary being Bison)

[@afc-razor-8489]

Dalsim became a skinhead in the end.

[@TheBlockerNator]

I think the anime movie from the same year was the much better Street Fighter movie.

[@nriab23]

I didn't know he died