Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 30, 2014

Videogames often experience a pretty rocky road when they attempt to port themselves over to traditional narrative entertainments, whether that be small screen television series (animated or live action) or big screen epics. Street Fighter has been a gaming phenomenon for decades now, and while fans have had anime offerings and the fairly ridiculous Jean-Claude Van Damme Street Fighter, the new multimedia outing Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist may be the first time an adaptation has been handled by a coterie of fans who have spent much if not all of their lives playing the videogame version. While there are hokey elements galore in Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist, there’s also an undeniable authenticity to the effort that will probably speak rather loudly to other fans of the franchise.

Street Fighter aficionado Joey Ansah is the creative force behind this effort, aided by fellow fans Christian Howard (playing Ken Masters) and Mike Moh (playing Ryu). Released first as webisodes on YouTube’s Machinima Channel, there are at least plans to broadcast actual longer episodes (though a cursory investigation didn’t turn up any actual broadcasts) as well as release this feature film version, which is being touted as the “original” concept. Despite this perhaps confusing aggregation of formats, Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist nicely details the relationship between Ken and Ryu as they initially try to master higher levels in their martial arts training while also dealing with various nemeses and a mystery surrounding Gôken (Akira Koieyama). Lovers of the game are obviously going to get the most out of this fun if ultimately predictable enterprise, though things move briskly and enjoyably enough that even non-gamers will probably get a kick (and a punch) out of it as well.

Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. Digitally shot with the Red Epic, Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist boasts a sleek and sharp image that exploits popping colors like Ken's orange-red outfit, while also making the most of some nice outdoor location photography. The image is very clear and stable, even in manic fight sequences. Contrast remains strong throughout the presentation, helping to deliver good to very good shadow detail in some extended darker sequences. There are some brief but noticeable issues with banding here and there, but otherwise this is a problem free presentation which should certainly delight Street Fighter's fanbase.

Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Perhaps surprisingly, Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist is not granted a surround mix, and instead features only a Dolby TrueHD 2.0 mix. While fidelity here is top notch, one can't help but wonder what a more forceful low end and immersion would have added to the action elements. That said, this is a case of "glass half full, glass half empty", and there's nothing actually wrong or troublesome with the 2.0 audio.

Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Ken's Video Diary (1080p; 3:20)


• The Making Of. . . (1080p; 14:38)


• Deleted Scenes (1080p; 11:10)


• Outtakes (1080p; 5:30)


• Main Trailer (1080p; 1:50)


• Director's Commentary with Joey Ansah

Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Gamers may be wondering why this didn't get five stars across the board, but while this is head and shoulders above previous offerings like the Van Damme film, it's still fairly formulaic and by the numbers. Still, those who have grown up with Ken and Ryu will probably love this adaptation, which offers good character beats while creating iconic signature moves. Technical merits are generally strong, and Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist comes Recommended.