Return of the Street Fighter Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Return of the Street Fighter" on Blu Ray is an intriguing blend of two sources, meticulously managed by Shout Factory. Featuring an AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio), the presentation skillfully merges a fresh scan of the English Language cut with an earlier HD master of the Japanese version. While largely cohesive, certain scenes—specifically involving violence and nudity—utilize upscaling to bridge the gap, introducing heavier grain and occasional crush. Despite minor shadow issues and some speckle storms, the overall detail remains remarkable, retaining clarity in diverse locations like mountain tops and steamy sauna battles.

The new 2K scan impresses with its fidelity, preserving the nuances of the original film stock on a digital medium. Skin tones are rendered naturally, bolstered by vibrant period fashion and lush city greenery. The integrity of facial details and textures is particularly outstanding in close-ups, maintaining delineation with minimal wear and tear evident only in isolated moments. Colors are robust, transmitting warmth to flesh tones and vitality to primary hues, which notably enhances Japan’s scenic vistas and varied costumes. The few scenes impacted by lesser elements still hold up well against the backdrop of pristine replication overall.

Shout Factory's approach seamlessly handles the inherent grit and structure of the movie, ensuring that even in murky, power-deprived finales, the visual representation remains authentic. The effort to preserve the film’s texture and color fidelity shines through, creating a vivid and detailed viewing experience that respects the source material while pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with a 2K scan.

The Blu-Ray audio presentation of "Return of the Street Fighter" offers a technically sound, yet varied experience across its DTS-HD MA tracks. The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix in both Japanese and English exhibits certain fluctuations in volume, although they are not severe enough to impact overall enjoyment. The dialogue is satisfactory in both versions, with the English track showcasing raised dialog typical of dubbing, at times leading to scratchiness that matches the production era and budget constraints. The Japanese track, however, presents more naturally placed dialogue that integrates better within the overall audio fabric.

Music and sound effects display notable differences between the two tracks. The scoring feels somewhat quiet in the English version, with sound effects occasionally dimmed to an extent of being nearly obliterated. Conversely, the Japanese track allows music and effects to take a more prominent role despite limited fidelity; treble strains are apparent and bass presence remains minimal. Additionally, subtitles on the Japanese mix match those of the English dub, offering “dubtitles” rather than a true translation, maintaining an interesting if peculiar consistency.

Overall, the audio experience remains authentic to the film’s original production values, balancing between nostalgic authenticity and technical clarity. While neither track delivers contemporary hi-fidelity standards, they adequately serve the legendary martial arts action and thematic underpinnings of "Return of the Street Fighter."

The Blu-ray release of "Return of the Street Fighter" features an engaging and well-curated selection of extras that enhance the viewing experience. The Still Gallery is a particularly compelling addition, offering an extensive assortment of lobby cards, publicity stills, poster art, newspaper ads, and home video covers, all compiled into a 3-minute presentation. Complementing this visual feast are three trailers: a concise U.S. Teaser Trailer, a more extensive Theatrical Trailer, and a Japanese Trailer that provides a unique perspective. Each element has been thoughtfully included to provide a comprehensive look into the film's promotional history and aesthetic appeal, making the extras on this disc indispensable for fans and collectors.

Extras included in this disc:

• Still Gallery: Collects lobby cards, publicity stills, poster art, newspaper ads, and home video covers.
• U.S. Teaser Trailer: Brief introduction to the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Extended preview showcasing key scenes.
• Japanese Trailer: Provides a unique perspective on the promotional approach in Japan.

"Return of the Street Fighter," the 1974 sequel to Sonny Chiba’s breakout hit, continues with a mix of stylish brutality and goofiness, embodying the essence of grindhouse cinema. Shigehiro Ozawa returns as the director, opting to refine the Street Fighter formula by incorporating more sophisticated espionage elements akin to a 007 movie, while still maintaining the visceral martial arts sequences that made its predecessor notable. The film opens up the criminal universe for Chiba’s character, Takuma, by setting battles in varied locations such as ski resorts and spas across Japan. This installment introduces a more calculated Takuma as he becomes embroiled in conflicts involving crooked fundraising schemes, assorted cops, and mafiosos.

The film skews heavily towards exaggerated violence, reveling in absurd death scenes such as eyes popping out from neck strikes and arterial sprays from skull chops. During a runtime of 82 minutes, it periodically inserts unnecessary katas and flashbacks to pad the narrative, reflecting a lackluster script that otherwise would have achieved more substance. Despite these flaws, Takuma’s journey is intriguing, weaving in themes of cultural preservation versus Western exploitation—it paints Takuma as an Okinawan savior fighting to maintain his heritage against mainland Japanese and American influences.

Furthermore, "Return of the Street Fighter" adds layers of meta-commentary on gun violence, juxtaposing humorous gore with reflective introspection about its own contributions to societal issues. Scenes like mafia goons watching violent films in seedy cinemas hint at a self-aware critique of the genre's impact on audiences. Despite its comedic undertones and surreal moments—like a character returning with an electronic voice box—the film succeeds in delivering an essential dose of cinematic grime, aligning well with the expectations of fans craving exaggerated bloodshed and martial arts mastery.

"Return of the Street Fighter" on Blu-ray offers a dynamic presentation, celebrated for its high-octane martial arts action and vibrant picture quality. Sonny Chiba reprises his iconic role, delivering a compelling performance filled with intricate fight choreography. This sequel, while maintaining the raw energy of its predecessor, boasts a more polished narrative and a broader array of threats, offering a richer exploration of martial arts culture. The Blu-ray transfer shines, with enhanced clarity in both day and night sequences, ensuring that every fight scene is captured with stunning detail. Audio fidelity is another highlight, providing clear dialogue and impactful sound effects that enhance the immersive experience.

The film itself straddles between overt martial arts action and moments of unexpected depth, where Chiba's character navigates a world rife with danger and intrigue. The inclusion of a love scene adds a new dimension to Chiba's character, presenting him as not just a fighter but also as someone capable of deeper emotional connections. Additionally, "Return of the Street Fighter" provides viewers with a fascinating glimpse into various martial arts weaponry, pausing the narrative to educate and thrill those interested in the technical aspects of hand-to-hand combat.

In conclusion, "Return of the Street Fighter" delivers robust entertainment for fans of the genre. While it deviates slightly from its more chaotic predecessor, the sequel’s enhanced narrative and technical competence present an engaging follow-up. The Blu-ray release is an excellent choice for collectors and newcomers alike, underscoring Chiba's enduring appeal and the film's lasting cultural significance as a grindhouse classic.