The Street Fighter Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Street Fighter Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 13, 2019

“The Street Fighter” saga isn’t a shining example of franchise storytelling. The three features (“The Street Fighter,” “Return of the Street Fighter,” and “The Street Fighter’s Last Revenge”) enjoy slightly different creative approaches, with the producers refining the formula as it goes from a feral martial arts showdown to a James Bond-esque adventure. What’s consistent throughout the series is star Sonny Chiba, who delivers a pitch-perfect take on a karate warrior, providing the movies with sheer cinematic fury, ornamented with all sorts of performance exaggeration, making every kick, punch, and flip a showcase of complete thespian dedication. He’s amazing to watch, and easily represents the highlights of the features, which wouldn’t be as dynamic without him.

Click here for a review of The Street Fighter

Click here for a review of Return of the Street Fighter

Click here for a review of The Street Fighter's Last Revenge

The Street Fighter Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Click here for a video review of The Street Fighter

Click here for a video review of Return of the Street Fighter

Click here for a video review of The Street Fighter's Last Revenge

The Street Fighter Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Click here for an audio review of The Street Fighter

Click here for an audio review of Return of the Street Fighter

Click here for an audio review of The Street Fighter's Last Revenge

The Street Fighter Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Street Fighter

• Interview (27:10, HD) with Sonny Chiba is a surprisingly candid discussion of "The Street Fighter" with its iconic star. The interviewee tracks his entrance into moviemaking, refocusing his interests after an injury halted his career as an Olympic athlete. Chiba discusses his karate training, with a concentration on Budo, developing his skills while martial art films were becoming a trend in Japan, exploding with Bruce Lee productions. While agreeing to star in "The Street Fighter," Chiba fully admits he didn't want to, showing reluctance to participate in a feature that demeans karate, with his lack of industry power making it impossible to achieve any type of control over the endeavor. In fact, Chiba seems embarrassed by the work, but brightens up some when discussing Jackie Chan's fandom and his time with co-stars. Chiba details his renaming for the American market, his career ambitions at the age of 80, and his time with Quentin Tarantino, who included "The Street Fighter" in his screenplay for "True Romance."

• Interview (13:03, HD) with editor Jack Sholder explores his early years as a trumpet player, with a dismal career forecast and LSD experimentation ultimately leading him to moviemaking. Showing Robert Shaye, president of New Line Cinema, his short films, Shoulder was eventually recruited to cut trailers for the company. Shoulder recalls various technical challenges and other jobs during his training years, before launching himself as a director, with credits such as "The Hidden" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge."

• Still Gallery (6:32) collects publicity snaps, lobby cards, newspaper slicks and ads, reviews, poster art, and VHS box art.

• A U.S. Trailer (2:26, HD) and a Japanese Trailer (3:00, SD) are included.

Return of the Street Fighter

• Still Gallery (3:02) collects lobby cards, publicity stills, poster art, newspaper ads, and home video covers.

• And a U.S. Teaser Trailer (:33, HD), Theatrical Trailer (2:10, HD), and Japanese Trailer (3:02, SD) are included.

The Street Fighter's Last Revenge

• Still Gallery (1:37) collects publicity stills, newspaper ads, and VHS art.

• And a U.S. Theatrical Trailer (3:06, HD) and a Japanese Trailer (3:04, SD) are included.

The Street Fighter Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shout Factory works with what they've got to bring "The Street Fighter" saga to Blu-ray, piecing together a pleasing look at the wild action the franchise provides. An interview with Chiba is also a wonderful addition to the set, providing needed perspective on the original feature and career achievements. Some technical limitations are present, but the trilogy largely comes through as intended, supplying primo Chiba thunder.