SPOILERS AHEAD

Retro video game fans rejoice because the new “Street Fighter” movie is surprisingly fantastic. Premiering Friday, Oct. 16, the movie broke the box office record for the franchise.

The movie creates its own unique plot while still staying true to the game’s original storyline. Ryu, played by Andrew Koji and Ken Masters, played by Noah Centineo, are still the main characters of the movie and fight in the the iconic World Warrior Tournament.

For a little background, Ryu and Ken are best friends trained under Master Gouken in the non-lethal martial arts style of Ansatsuken. The danger is that this fighting is tied to Satsui no Hado, a dark, murderous and envious intent that can consume fighters in their search for power.

Master Gouken’s brother, Akuma, was consumed by this intent and turned into a demon who taunts Ryu, who also wrestles with this struggle.

The movie takes place in 1993, six years after Ryu defeats Sagat, his main rival, in the first World Warriors Tournament.

Ryu has disappeared and Ken is a celebrity fighter that no one takes seriously. Ryu and Ken are no longer close after Akuma killed Master Gouken and Ryu did not defeat Akuma because that would mean giving in to the evil side of himself.

M. Bison, played by David Dastmalchain, plans a second World Warriors Tournament to trick Ryu into participating in the tournament so he can steal Ryu’s “Psycho Power” for himself.

And thus, an epic movie is born.

Ryu returns to stop Ken from competing, Ken is determined to prove himself and Chun-Li, an undercover Interpol agent, seeks revenge against M. Bison for killing her father.

“Street Fighter” was exactly what I wanted from a movie based on a video game. It had excellent action, a fast pace and was also hilarious.

My favorite aspect was that the intro and flashbacks of the movie were completely animated. It helped distinguish the scenes and was just a cool addition. I could have watched the entire movie animated.

Each character was expertly written and the character design was incredible. Guile, played by Cody Rhodes, stole the show with clever quips and funny interactions with other characters.

The casting of this movie was great as well. Noah Centineo as Ken Masters was a unique choice and it could have gone terribly wrong, but Centineo played into Ken’s silliness and desire to prove himself perfectly. Even if his bleached blonde hair looked a little funky.

Callina Liang was great as Chun-Li and made the character into the powerhouse she truly is. Fans complained at the casting, claiming Liang’s thighs “weren’t thick enough” to look the part, which is an outrageous claim to make, in my opinion. But I think she did a great job.

“Street Fighter” also had several celebrities play characters, including 50 Cent as Balrog, Roman Reigns as Akuma and Jason Momoa as Blanka. Watching Momoa CGI’d into a giant green beast and scratching his armpit, smelling his hand and saying, “Smells like hotdogs,” was not on my bingo card but it was certainly a welcome laugh.

Perhaps the highest praise this movie can receive is that it made my dad laugh so hard he almost cried when Ryu fought E. Honda, a sumo wrestler and fighter in the tournament, in a sauna and literally whipped his butt with a rolled up towel.

The movie is a perfect example of the fact that movies don’t always have to be deep and meaningful to be good. “Street Fighter” was moving and had reminders of brotherhood and fighting for what’s right, but it was also simply ridiculous.

And it was awesome.

Sometimes I want to watch a movie that’s just for fun. I want to buy grossly overpriced movie theater candy and lemonade and watch a movie that makes me laugh. I want to walk out of the theater and repeat the funniest lines of the film, like Ken’s manager saying “Let my people go!” to a man fighting Ryu and Ken.

Don’t get me wrong, deep and reflective movies are great, but maybe not all the time. There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun. 

Categories: Arts & Entertainment