See more movie reviews

Street Fighter (PG-13, 1994)

common sense media says

Campy video game-derived action-fest.

parents & educators say
Be the first to review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is based on a well-known martial-arts video game (albeit one not infamous for gruesome violence, as the Mortal Kombat line was), and consequently, there's a lot fighting (believe it or not). Characters are kicked, pummeled, shot at, slashed at, electrocuted, and so on. Almost all of it is bloodless and not taken terribly seriously, though a few seconds of genuine war-atrocity news stock footage are worked into the fantasy. There's no need to be familiar with the game to enjoy the movie, but it helps with character recognition. There's some scattered swearing, smoking, and drinking, and a reference to the drug trade.

Positive messages: Pretty clear-cut good guys and bad guys. Battling solves everything, more or less; some would-be peace negotiators are portrayed negatively. Ethnic representation across the spectrum, and a few empowered female characters (although, stereotypically, it's the Asian one, Chun-Li, who does the heavy-duty martial-arts fighting).
Violence: Very little blood shown (and the blood we do see turns out to be fake, in a hoaxed gundown); still, there is "cartoon violence" combat of all sorts, from martial-arts fisticuffs to shooting, electrocution/death rays, slashing with a sort of claw-weapon, massive explosions, etc. Some fatalities, including necks snapped by the villain. One character whipped (but he ignores the pain). Some stock footage of genuine war scenes and atrocities.
Sex: Some cleavage-baring, skimpy superheroine- or harem-type outfits. A few concubine-style women are offered to male characters at one point (the men decline). A blink-and-you'll-miss-it homosexuality joke.
Language: "Bastard," "SOB," "hell," "ass," and some widely scattered "s--t"s.
Consumerism: Hard to ignore that this movie wouldn't exist without the Capcom video game franchise on which it's based (specifically, Street Fighter II, if you're keeping score). There were also spinoffs in cartoon and comic-book and action-figure form.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some social drinking. A few enemy soldiers light cigarettes. Brief mention of Bison's past as a drug lord.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Street Fighter

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the idea of basing movies on video games. What are some favorites? What game would make a good movie? Is it more fun to watch if you're a player of the video game or not? Would you rather see a movie based on a simple action-combat game, like Street Fighter II, or a more problem-solving and story-dependent game, like Myst, Riven, or the Seventh Guest?

What's the story?

What's the story?

STREET FIGHTER derived from a popular Capcom video game in which players could choose a gallery of martial-arts contestants to go up against each other. Screenplay-wise, this translates as high-tech warlord General Bison (Raul Julia) wreaking havoc in the mythical Asian nation of "Shadaloo" and holding relief-workers hostage for a $20 billion ransom, while forcing a captive scientist turn a prisoner into a Hulk-like monster soldier. His main opponent is Col. Guile (Jean-Claude Van Damme), stalwart leader of international military forces, who tries to find Bison's hidden base. Other two-fisted characters ultimately brawling in Bison's temple of doom include Chun-Li (Ming-na Wen), a TV reporter out for vengeance because Bison killed her father 20 years ago in her border village.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Though it scored low at the box-office, Street Fighter racks decent cinematic junk-food points for rainy days when the game console won't boot up. Except for unnecessary swearing it's mostly PG-level inoffensive, and even a bit of a guilty pleasure compared to later (R-rated) movies derived from fancier and more savagely gory joystick material, such as Doom and Resident Evil. This, while lacking in plot surprises, still has a self-mocking sense of humor about itself throughout, with some sly jokes insinuated amongst the colorful-gaudy production design (note the clown painting in Bison's bedroom).

The cast acts it up with relish, especially Raul Julia's eye-popping caped villain. Julia died suddenly before the film's release; he reportedly took this untypical part mainly because his children were fans of the game, and the movie is dedicated to him. In addition to assorted tie-in anime cartoons, another game-spinoff live-action movie appeared in 2009

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Director: Steven Souza
Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Raul Julia
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: December 23, 1994
DVD release: February 10, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: non-stop martial arts and action violence
This review was written by Charles Cassady Jr.
 
 

Review It

 

Review Street Fighter

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see Street Fighter?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Better fighting films
For kids who love action
Browse more movies
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines