7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A multi-layered series that looks back to the formative years of Ryu and Ken as they live a traditional warrior's life in secluded Japan. The boys are, unknowingly, the last practitioners of the ancient fighting style known as "Ansatsuken" (Assassin's Fist). The series follows them as they learn about the mysterious past of their master, Goken, and the tragic, dark legacy of the Ansatsuken style. Can their destiny be changed, or will history repeat itself?
Starring: Togo Igawa, Christian Howard, Mike Moh, Akira Koieyama, Hal YamanouchiAction | 100% |
Martial arts | 44% |
Foreign | 34% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (1 BD, 2 DVDs)
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
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: 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.
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.
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.
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