Now, before you think to yourself I'm completely mad for liking a video game based film let me just say that I recognise its flaws. Sure, it's no Casablanca, but it’s still a lot of silly fun that decided it was not going to take itself seriously recognising it was based on a video game about a wide ethnic group of fighters duking it out across the world. Therefore the plot is simple. The villain General M. Bison played by Raúl Juliá's has kidnapped a number of humanitarian workers stating that if he doesn't receive a $20 billion dollar ransom in three days then he plans on killing them. Therefore, the military are sent in to save the day. Basically its good guys vs. bad guys, blues vs. reds and the final fire fight takes place in a temple base that even Bond villains would die for. What isn't there to like!?
One thing this movie gets right is the characters as it contains the whole original roster and represents almost every one of them correctly. The movie even manages to include their classic outfits and even some of their signature moves, thus pleasing fans who were brought up in the arcades playing Street Fighter 2 (which the movie is loosely based on) since we can watch the film and say "Yes! It's (insert name here)! That’s awesome!".
Now, I did say that the movie represented ALMOST all the characters well. Sadly signature characters Ryu and Ken are pushed into the wise cracking best friends trying to be heroes roles, whereas Guile the lead role is given to Van Damme whose acting is so poor that it’s fun just watching how bad he is. Now to be honest, I haven't watched any of his films before so I don't know if he is meant to be another Arnold Schwarzenegger, but it’s the accent that I can't take seriously. Speaking of weird accents, nearly all of the military in the movie have broken accents. For example, the actress playing Cammy (or trying to play her) has the most forced British accent I have ever heard and there is even the equivalent of an Asian Christopher Walken... I'm not even kidding, that’s what he sounds like every time you hear him. He's not even a character in the game, but with that accent I wish he was!
Now for a movie based on a fighting game the important question is "Are the fights any good?" to which I reply "Yes, my friend, they are". Fights are done well and you generally get the feel of the game from watching them. I even found myself cheering at times just because I got so absorbed in this fun film and had to have some fun myself.
Overall the movie is the sort you should watch if you are familiar with the video game franchise and/or just fancy watching something that doesn't take itself too seriously. It’s entertaining, quotable and the villain is amusing and played well.
Therefore if anyone were to ask me if they should see this movie I would simply say the following...
Challenge to my readers:
In the movie they actually put in Goofy's scream. I am not
kidding. I had to re-visit the scene twice, but I can say with all honesty that
it's in the film. Therefore my challenge to you is to listen out for it if you
plan to give this movie a try. And just so I'm being fair, here's a hint, it’s
during the final battle outside the temple base. GOOD LUCK! ;)
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