Street Fighter
Directed by Steven E. de Souza
- action
- fantasy
The story
Colonel Guile and various other martial arts heroes fight against the tyranny of dictator M. Bison and his cohorts.
What it’s like
Loud, saturated and cartoonish, with bright neon-lit Bangkok streets, bombastic explosions, and a glossy mid-90s studio finish that leans into camp rather than grit. The score is brassy and synth-driven, and the fight choreography arrives in big, punchy bursts between long stretches of goofy dialogue and over-the-top villainy. The vibe is sarcastic, big-hearted pulp: a rowdy Saturday-afternoon spectacle to put on when you want something silly and loud. Pacing is brisk, with the mood tipping from wisecracks to slapstick to sudden action setpieces, and the emotional register stays light, with heroes who are more swagger than depth and a villain played for flamboyant menace. Violence is frequent and cartoonish, with punches, kicks, gunfire and explosions, and some peril involving hostages, but little gore and no sexual content. It suits fans of the video game, lovers of 90s action camp, and anyone wanting a rowdy, undemanding popcorn film.
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