Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		2.5

Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman March 11, 2019

Note: This film is available as part of Sister Street Fighter Collection.

As if “proof” were needed that female superheroes are a phenomenon to be reckoned with, simply witness the incredible box office returns of 2017’s Wonder Woman and the current (as this review is being published) explosion of Captain Marvel. While it’s arguable as to whether she really fits into the standard mold of a “superhero”, the character who sports the name of Li Koryu in the first three Sister Street Fighter films was literally kicking butt long enough ago that Cathy Lee Crosby had just made her debut in a television movie version of Wonder Woman, one which would soon kinda sorta go on to series with Lynda Carter in the title role, and any lingering memories of Captain Marvel were of a, well, male. As Sonny Chiba gets into in an enjoyable interview included as a supplement with this set, star Etsuko Shihomi was felt by some “experts” not to be “curvy” or “feminine” enough looking to become a star, but Chiba had been immediately struck by Shihomi’s ability to execute virtually any stunt presented to her — instantly. And it is Shihomi’s physicality that helps to energize at least the first three films in this set (Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist is a “sequel” in name only, despite also starring Shihomi. The first two films were released some years ago at the dawn of the Blu- ray age in a double feature that my colleague Ken Brown wasn’t particularly impressed by in the technical department. Arrow is now offering those same two films, to my eyes looking much better than on the BCI disc, along with the two later follow-ups.

It’s maybe a little odd that Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist did one of two things — either that it actually used the Sister Street Fighter branding mechanism (which is at least perhaps understandable, given the box office returns of the first two films in particular), or that in this “not really a sequel” Etsuko Shihomi is no longer Koryu Li, but a similarly “talented” fighter named Kiku Nakagawa. Why keep one thing, but jettison another? In other ways, Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist repeats story elements of its predecessors, including the ever popular smuggling aspect, though in this case events kind of cheekily involve the Japanese filmmaking industry.

While Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist probably intentionally aims for laughs more than the three prior films, the comedic aspects are fitful at best. What’s kind of interesting here, albeit not really “developed” in any meaningful way, is some clash between races. The previous three films kind of hint at the dysfunctions between China (or at least Hong Kong) and Japan, but here a whole new element is added because of a half black character tied to the proceedings. Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist is a pretty marked downward step for the franchise, though Shihomi is still as watchable as ever, even if she’s not given as much “stuff” to strut here in the action vein the first three films mined so effectively.

Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

All four films in the Sister Street Fighter collection are presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with AVC encoded 1080p transfers in 2.35:1. Arrow's insert booklet offers the following brief and pretty generic information on the transfers:

The four films in the Sister Street Fighter series are presented in their original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and with their original mono sound. All four films were remastered in high definition for this release by Toei Company, Ltd.

Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist has to my eyes the most consistent clarity and detail levels of all four films in the Sister Street Fighter set, but it also has surprising (if still small) amounts of age related wear and tear, at least considering the fact that this is the "newest" film in the set. While my hunch is nothing in this presentation is going to be a deal breaker for diehard fans, there are quite a few white flecks, specks, dirt and the like that crop up and will most likely be spotted by the eagle eyed. The palette generally looks good here, but once again reds can stray slightly into orange or brown territory. (Fading toward brown can be spotted throughout the presentation.) Grain can also look rather coarse in any number of interior scenes. Detail levels tend to vary fairly widely depending on light intensity, but close-ups often offer very good fine detail levels. Some black and white flashback material offers really good contrast and nicely deep blacks.

Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist features an LPCM Mono track in the original Japanese. This is another perfectly fine sounding track which nevertheless has an undeniably boxy, shallow sound some of the time, especially with regard to some of the sound effects. Scoring sounds energetic and full bodied, and dialogue is always presented cleanly and clearly. This is the rare Arrow release (in my experience, anyway) that doesn't allow "on the fly" access to audio and/or subtitle options — you need to access them via the Pop Up Menu and make any changes that way.

Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Arrow has packaged this release with the first film on one disc and the other three on a second disc, and so there will probably be some more "generalist" supplements on the first disc in particular which contain content linked to some of the films on the second disc. Therefore, the score above reflects the total package, rather than extras limited in scope to any given particular film.

Disc One

• Sonny Chiba: A Life in Action, Vol. 3 (1080p; 10:10) is an enjoyable 2016 interview with the legend, where he discusses his "action academy" and how he discovered and fostered Etsuko Shihomi.


• Kazuhiko Yamaguchi: Kick Ass Sisters (1080p; 10:06) is another 2016 interview with the director, who discusses some of his films which prominently feature women.


• Masahiro Kaketuda: Subversive Action (1080p; 10:51) is the third 2016 interview of the set, with the co-screenwriter of the first three Sister Street Fighter films.


• Isolated Score Highlights (1080p; 11:43) are presented in LPCM Mono.


• Original Trailer (1080p; 2:47)


• Still and Poster Gallery (1080p; 22:41)


• International Releases

  R Rated Version (1080p; 1:21:13) is a censored English language version which it's stated was the only version available in English speaking territories for 30 years. This comes with a text card warning that film elements could not be located for this version, and so a number of standard definition inserts, typically in moments where English text is utilized (as in the credits) are utilized which are noticeably more ragged looking than the bulk of the presentation.

  
  

  U.S. Trailer (1080p; 2:35)

  
  

  German Opening Titles (1080p; 2:11)

  
  

  German Trailer (1080p; 2:35)

Disc Two

• Isolated Score Highlights are offered in LPCM Mono:

  Sister Street Fighter: Hanging by a Thread (1080p; 19:26)

  
  

  Return of the Sister Street Fighter (1080p; 10:15)

• Trailers

  Sister Street Fighter: Hanging by a Thread (1080p; 2:44)

  
  

  Return of the Sister Street Fighter (1080p; 2:57)

  
  

  Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist (1080p; 2:57)

As tends to be standard operating procedure with this label, Arrow has also provided a nicely appointed insert booklet.

Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

When a film has the audacity to rip a page out of the playbook of the venerable The Perils of Pauline for its climax, you know it's not taking itself seriously, which gives this film at least a little comedic edge. That said, this is a major dropoff in the action adventure element, and it's just downright odd that they decided to keep the title but change everything else. Technical merits are generally decent if not optimal for those considering a purchase.