Film 6 (8/26/2005)

The Street Fighter (1974)

Director: Shigehiro Ozawa

Recommended by: D Soler

Has Fentablar seen this before?: No.

After watching The Street Fighter on Friday night, I feel into a debate with myself which impeded my ability to write a review on the film. How do you rate a film which you really enjoy yet you know it isn't, for the most part, worthy of much cinematic merit? Do you rate it comparatively against cinema as a whole, or do you rate it separately based on your enjoyment level? After much thought on this, I felt that it would be best to rate the film based on what the film is trying to accomplish. I discussed this idea with D_Davis and he was able to put the same idea in a better perspective: rate the film comparatively, but only in comparison to its own genre. That idea makes sense to me.

The Street Fighter is a very enjoyable martial arts film with a slight twist on your typical martial arts hero story. Sonny Chiba plays a genuine anti-hero in this film - truth be told, Terry Tsurugi (Chiba) is a bona fide prick. Yet you find yourself rooting for him instead of against him; every one of his fight sequences keep you enthralled and ready for more.

However silly it may seem, what I enjoyed most about Chiba's performance were his facial expressions during the fight sequences. They were most amusing and effective, and remind me of Bruce Lee's sometimes exaggerated ki.

All in all, The Street Fighter is a very enjoyable film and a definite must-see for martial arts film lovers.

Ratings (scale of 1 to 5):

Plot Effectiveness: 4/5. Sonny Chiba kicks ass. By the end of the film, you are very aware of this fact. Mission accomplished.

Cinematography/Shot Selection: 3/5. Not much money spent in this department, but it did what it had to.

Overall Acting: 3/5. Not much needed here, but it also did what it had to.

Score/Soundtrack: 4/5. I love hearing the old-school 70's funk music during the martial arts flicks from the same era, it sets the perfect mood.

OVERALL RATING: 3.5/5

~Fentablar~