The Street Fighter Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation of "The Street Fighter" meticulously merges two sources: a new scan of the English Language cut and an earlier HD master of the Japanese cut. The blend yields a clear, bright visualization of frame activity, ensuring consistent picture quality. The detail is commendable, although it aligns with the limitations of the original cinematography, rendering textures on costuming and facial surfaces adequately. Significant interior scenes, such as the climactic shipyard fight, showcase intricate set decoration and spatial expanse. Colors are vibrant yet natural, with skintones reflecting authenticity and period hues coming to life. The paint-like appeal of blood red is notably pronounced. Despite a generally good condition of sources, there are occasional speckles, scratches, and some blemishes.

The disc includes both the shorter US cut and the longer Japanese edition. The latter, with additional footage in SD, suffers from heavy noise reduction and lack of color correction. Contrastively, the Japanese original edition shines with cleaner, sharper imagery, suggesting the use of higher-grade film stock. Though the English edition exhibits heavier grain, it benefits from clean encoding and outstanding source material quality. Damage is minimal, restricted to occasional specks of dirt or light scratches. Exceptional fidelity is evident, particularly in dock scenery during the finale, which stands out as exemplary '70s era material. Close-ups deliver exquisite definition, while brilliant colors enhance numerous sequences. Key fight scenes during torrential rain highlight vivid raincoat primaries against a darkened sky. Red hues might occasionally bleed slightly but this trade-off enriches the overall color vibrancy significantly.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "The Street Fighter" is delivered through a variety of sound mixes, prominently featuring a 2.0 DTS-HD MA English Language track. This mix, while generally robust with clearly defined dialogue and energetic sound effects, does have some fluctuations in volume and occasional bursts of compression. These issues, though minor, slightly detract from the otherwise satisfactory listening experience. The score accompanies scenes effectively, providing dynamic support with active musicianship.

Additionally, a more natural 2.0 DTS-HD MA Japanese Language track is included, alongside a 2.0 DTS-HD MA 90s Re-release English dub. The Japanese track, though analog and somewhat dated, excels with better theme music fidelity and a more precise dialog clarity compared to its English counterparts. By contrast, the English dub exhibits muffled qualities, with music sitting too low and feeling compressed against the overly bright dialogue. For enthusiasts seeking an authentic grindhouse experience, the Japanese version emerges as the definitive choice.

In summary, while the English sound mixes do present some minor technical hiccups, the overall audio quality remains pleasing with defined elements across different tracks. The Japanese track distinguishes itself as the standout option for purists, delivering a more natural and cohesive auditory experience that honors the film's grindhouse roots.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "The Street Fighter" provide a comprehensive and engaging look into the film's history and production, featuring candid discussions from key contributors. The interview with Sonny Chiba is particularly insightful, revealing his initial reluctance to participate in the film and detailing his extensive karate training with a focus on Budo. Chiba's reflections on his career, from his Olympic aspirations to his collaborations with Quentin Tarantino, add substantial depth to the viewing experience. The interview with editor Jack Sholder offers a fascinating exploration of his transition from music to filmmaking, detailing his journey through technical challenges and notable directorial credits. Additional materials include a collection of stills and trailers, enriching the historical context for fans.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interview with Sonny Chiba: In-depth discussion covering his career, karate training, and thoughts on "The Street Fighter".
• Interview with Jack Sholder: Insights into his career shift and contributions to New Line Cinema.
• Still Gallery: Publicity snaps, lobby cards, ads, reviews, and more.
• U.S. Trailer: Promotional trailer for the American market.
• Japanese Trailer: Promotional trailer for the Japanese market.

Sonny Chiba delivers a powerhouse performance in "The Street Fighter" (1974), a film that effectively showcases his undeniable charisma and martial arts prowess. Chiba’s portrayal of Terry, a morally ambiguous mercenary entangled in a violent clash with the Yakuza after rejecting a kidnapping job, dominates the narrative, elevating it beyond an otherwise simplistic storyline. Director Shigehiro Ozawa crafts highly engaging combat sequences, providing a potent stage for Chiba’s distinctive, Kabuki-style intensity. His performance is a masterclass in turning each martial arts move into an operatic spectacle, making the entire movie an exhilarating display of choreographed fury.

Transitioning to "The Street Fighter’s Last Revenge," we see Chiba’s Takuma leveraging a gritty critique of 1970s Japanese capitalism and environmental issues. The film opens with protesters challenging a corrupt political decision, setting a dark tone that permeates through acts of greed and betrayal. The narrative portrays an unforgiving world where Takuma ruthlessly eliminates adversaries, reflecting societal disarray through its unapologetically violent encounters. This third installment diverges from its predecessors by adopting a James Bond-like flair, featuring high-tech gadgets and espionage themes—a trend common in Japanese cinema during that era.

However, "Street Fighter’s Last Revenge" struggles with pacing, often losing momentum in convoluted plot twists and seedy dealings with political and corporate players. The violence, while abundant and graphic, serves more as intermittent bursts of action amidst the film’s otherwise monotonous tempo. Takuma’s character lacks the moral complexity of his Western counterparts, instead embodying a crude and misogynistic persona, further compounded by exploitative depictions of women. Despite these issues, the film's bold attempt to incorporate Western cinematic elements and social commentary offers a memorable, albeit flawed, denouement to Chiba's iconic role in the series.

The Blu-ray release of "The Street Fighter" delivers a technically sound presentation with notable improvements over previous editions. The transfer exhibits a cleaner, sharper image that enhances the film's gritty 1970s aesthetic without compromising its authenticity. While minor grain and occasional softness persist, they stand as reminders of the original film's raw energy. The audio, a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, effectively captures the film's intense action sequences and Hisaishi's memorable score, ensuring an immersive viewing experience.

Supplementary materials add significant value, featuring insightful commentaries that delve into the movie's impact on the genre and its enduring legacy. These extras include interviews with key cast members and martial arts historians, providing a deeper appreciation of the film's cultural relevance. The packaging is equally commendable, presenting a visually arresting design that pays homage to the film's iconic status in martial arts cinema.

"The Street Fighter" doesn't come through clear enough with dramatics, finding Terry's war with various entities best served as physically as possible, finding narrative twists not nearly as engrossing as the spectacle provided by Chiba, who delivers a masterfully animated performance. Wild and different, "The Street Fighter’s Last Revenge" is on its last legs, but finds a pulse in attacking Japan’s local corruption.