Watch Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist

Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist is a live-action martial arts film based on the popular video game series from Capcom. Directed by Joey Ansah and Christian Howard, appearing in the roles of Ryu and Ken respectively, this movie delves into the backstory of the two iconic Street Fighter characters and their training under the legendary master Gouken, played by Togo Igawa.

Set in Japan, the movie follows young Ryu and Ken, both orphaned and taken in by Gouken after losing their parents in separate events. As they train in the mountains under Gouken's tutelage, the focus is on the spiritual and physical teachings of Ansatsuken, the art of assassination that Gouken has sworn to never use for evil purposes. Ryu and Ken are portrayed as two distinct characters with their own motivations and personalities - Ryu is introspective and serious, while Ken is more impulsive and carefree.

The film's narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks and present-day stories. It traces the backstory of the characters from their training sessions with Gouken to their journey to the notorious criminal underworld in the present. The flashbacks serve as a means of character development and offer insight into their individual personalities and skills. Meanwhile, the present-day storyline shows how the past has caught up with the characters and how they must rise to defeat an old enemy from their past.

One of the best things about Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist is the production values. The film is beautifully shot in Japan, and the cinematography paints a vivid picture of the landscape and the fight scenes. The filmmakers have also done well in creating the Spirit World, a place that only those of pure hearts can enter, and which is key to the plot of the movie. The fight choreography is superb, and the characters' martial arts skills are showcased in spectacular fashion.

Another strong point of Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist is the well-written script. The narrative is engaging and enjoyable, and the characters are given sufficient depth and motivation to make them relatable. The performances are decent, with Togo Igawa's portrayal of Gouken being a standout. The filmmakers' attention to detail and reverence for the source material are evident in every facet of the movie. Fans of the game will appreciate the nods to the game, from the Hadouken to the Tatsumaki Senpukyaku.

One critique of the film may be its pacing. While the cinematography and fight scenes are well done, the film may be slow for some viewers. The narrative jumps between past and present, and some may find that it detracts from the storyline. But this would be a minor issue for most, as the movie has a good mix of action and exposition.

In conclusion, Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist is an impressive adaptation of the video game series. It's an engaging and visually captivating movie that does justice to the characters and their backstories. Fans of the game will appreciate the attention to detail, and those not familiar with the game will enjoy the well-written script and fight scenes. It's a must-watch for any fan of martial arts movies and action films.

Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist is a 2014 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.