Score 2/10
Another failed attempt for Hollywood to make a video game franchise into cinematic gold. The casting was there, but never found a good stronghold. The concept of the video game is simple, fighters around the world, compete against each other until they reach the final boss, M. Bison. Once he's defeated they get the title of champion. Plus they came this game created the fighting game craze in the 90's. (That could be debated) The film doesn't differ much from the video game with character basis, but gave the character's more dimension. Instead of just being a random warrior, they were individuals either good joining sides with good, an army led by Col. Guile (Jean-Claude Van Damme) or bad, in the country Shadaloo led by tyrannical Dictator M. Bison (Raul Julia). Changes to the character design from video game to film; E. Honda in video game: Sumo wrestler, film: heavy set camera guy for Chun-Li, who is a reporter, not a policewoman as in the video game.
Not much can be said, its frustrating even to write about. It was just sad knowing that this is Raul Julia's last film, so much potential but he amde the best of what was given to him. At least he'll live on as Gomez Addams.
The film is just weak from start to finish. Special effects were meager for the technology available in 1993-94. The make-up for the Blanka character is juvenile and I've seen better in high school musical productions. With the classic good versus evil storyline, with dumb and obvious plot structure. Writer de Souza should have stayed with writing traditional action movies and not try his hand at something doomed to fail.
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Raul Julia, Ming-Na Wen and Kylie Minogue
Directed by: Steven E. de Souza
Budget/Gross: $35,000,000 (estimated)/ $105,414,729 (Worldwide, 2004)
IMDB Rating: 3.4/10
Tomatometer: 13% critics and 24% audience liked it
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