STREET FIGHTER (1994)

So You Wanna Fight Me!

While in college, I had a course studying activism and its nuances. I read an article whose message changed my way of thinking about activism and subsequently things I love and care about. The idea was that a more successful way to reach people to give aid is to focus on how it helps them to give, and not why the subject needs help. There are many causes that are in constant need. How do you convince people that yours is the priority? It seems cynical, but people can be very selfish even without malicious intent. A lot of people have to be convinced to care by showing them why it's good for them. So, in my life, I've practiced selling people the value of giving, generosity, and the inherent value of loving. It doesn't always feel great to have to convince people to be good, but the upside is that I have cultivated a skill in seeing the best aspects of everything and everyone. And I know how to get you to see it, too.

So listen to me when I say, STREET FIGHTER (1994) directed by Steven E de Souza, and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Raul Julia, and Ming-Na Wen doesn't need us. We need it. You are a better person, and your life is more vibrant, interesting, and joyful because STREET FIGHTER exists.

When it comes to the haters against this movie, I'm ready with my Hadoukens to blast them with the gospel of why it is worth your time and love. I'm also ready with leg sweeps to take out any fellow “fans” who dare say “It's a good bad movie.” I know you're supposed to be on my side, but this movie has a cyborg man with his own face on his money and says evil things like, “for me it was Tuesday;” an immigrant-turned-U.S. Citizen with the gaudiest American flag tattoo gives a speech almost as good as President Bill Pullman's in INDEPENDENCE DAY then becomes a military war hero; and grown men recreate Kaiju battles over model towns complete with the original Godzilla scream. To call this film anything less than one of the most fun and badass movies of all time is a reel crime.

And...it still holds up! Raul Julia's portrayal of Bison still out Madman's megalomaniacs today. (Which in the world of Elon Musks, is pretty hard to do.) It's not over the top, it's accurate. It's not crazy, it's charismatic. It's not corny, it's legitimately funny. Raul Julia dominates in a cast filled with great actors. Just as Bison is larger than life and unhinged, there are moments during the film where I wonder if Raul Julia hasn't himself become lost in the character because it feels so damn real.

The humor is self-aware. They know this is a video game movie, and it needs to be equally loud in its presence. (Though I do wish I could tell Dee Jay that his job with Bison was barely better than staying with Microsoft because they are going to lay off thousands, because they too are run by power-mad maniacs.)

This movie is only as tremendous as it is because Raul Julia's tour de force performance is fiercely matched by Jean-Claude Van Damme's always tough yet vulnerable, serious but funny, and blindingly charismatic portrayal of Colonel Guile. Just like in the game, setting these two men head-to-head makes for hours of entertainment. Audiences also get to revel in the delight of Ming-Na Wen who is timeless and modern as Chun Li. Go watch this movie in honor of her recent star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Miguel A Nuñez, Jr. is funny and easily the most relatable character in all the madness that is STREET FIGHTER. Seeing him in this and in one of my other favorite franchises, FRIDAY THE 13TH, makes him one of my favorite comfort actors.

Another gift this film gives us is its soundtrack. I love it and will listen to it from beginning to end. Featuring artists like Ice Cube, Nas, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, and the Pharcyde. From the Shadaloo musical opening line, “Let's get ready to rumble...So you wanna fight me!” to the sentimental battle lyric “Some things are worth fighting for,” you get every feeling of this movie. It's cheesy but earnest, and obnoxious but wholesome. All things I appreciate in a soundtrack. Be sure not to miss the music video for “Straight To My Feet” by MC Hammer (featuring, yes, the Deion Sanders). JCVD's appearance in the music video is tons of ‘90s fun that isn't to be missed, either.

STREET FIGHTER is so invigorating from beginning to end because it does its job of being an entertaining popcorn movie. And it does it so well. It's for everyone. It doesn't put on airs, even though some of the acting performances deserve it. All the film asks of you is that you come to it ready to have fun and jump into the attempt of making a universe out of Street Fighter. While many complain that it's nothing like the game, my retort is that it stands alone as an action movie. It doesn't have to be the game. It's fun just being what it is. STREET FIGHTER is joy, laughter, and love. All things that we can't get enough of in our lives. All things that are good for us. STREET FIGHTER doesn't need us. We need it.