Review of Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009) by Brenton A — 31 Mar 2010

With the exception of Raul Julia, this film delivers in every aspect that its 1994 predecessor lacked. Based on the popular video game franchise by Capcom, it marvels viewers with fireballs, flashbacks within flashbacks, and an original hip hop theme song a la TMNT2. Also featured in the film is an impressive cast of forget-me-nots. Chris Klein shines in an unbelievable performance that rivals Nicolas Cage at his best (i.e. "Wicker Man," "Knowing"), and it is encouraging to see that Robin Shou can still get respectable work as a video game icon in an awkwardly low-cut shirt -- to say nothing about his creepy pedophile mustache.

The most compelling aspect of this movie, however, are the dark moments that creep in unexpectedly throughout the entire movie. Director Andrzej Bartkowiak isn't afraid to occasionally push the envelope. One moment you think you're watching just another video game movie, and suddenly you realize this is a film of a different color as Chun-Li straight up kills a dude or (SPOILER) M. Bison rips his unborn daughter from his wife's womb.

But, really, you should see this movie simply for the short-lived reemergence of Chris Klein.