Street Fighter Fan Films

chris News, Video Games

I love Street Fighter.  I may not love all things Street Fighter (I’m looking at you Jean Claude and Kristin Kreuk), but I love the concept of Street Fighter.  This week was a great week for fans of Street Fighter.  I feel like saying “Street Fighter” one more time: Street Fighter.  …Street Fighter.

I said Street Fighter (8) seven times in that opening paragraph, and I’m okay with that.  Back on topic, however, I said that this week was a great week for Street Fighter (9) fans.  This week saw the releases of two independently produced Street Fighter (10) live action fan films, Street Fighter: Legacy (11), released on Thursday, and Street Fighter: Beginning’s End (12), released on Wednesday.  Neither film was perfect, and there were areas where, in my opinion, each film excelled over the other, but all in all, both films were a treat for those of us who have had to suffer through the Street Fighter (13) movies.  Below you will find each fan film, followed by commentary on that fan film.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K-F4eCDyUU

I’ll start with Street Fighter: Beginning’s End (14), since it was released earlier.  There are a few things that I feel need to be mentioned first and foremost.  First, Ken’s wig is atrociously bad.  Second, Ryu’s headband should be red, not white.  Third, they should both be fighting barefoot.  Costume design is one of the failings of Beginning’s End.  The fight choreography, however, is excellent, as are the special effects used to create the Hadoukens and the Shoryuken.  Most of all, however, I like how the Round 1/Round 2/Final Round aspect of Street Fighter (15) was incorporated.  For the most part, other than costume design, this was an excellent fan film.  Beginning’s End loses on costume design, and ties for fight choreography and Shoryuken effects, but soundly defeats Legacy with the effects used for the Hadoukens and the inclusion of the Round 1/Round 2/Final Round aspect.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ZXSzaUIBQ

Now we’ll move on to Street Fighter: Legacy (16).  Legacy had more hype leading up to it due to the individual who had created it, actor Joey Ansah.  I heard about Legacy on Monday, and anxiously awaited the premiere on Thursday.  Luckily, I was treated to Beginning’s End in the interim to help me cope with the wait.  Legacy‘s true victory over Beginning’s End is in the costume design.  The effort put into costume and character design for Legacy really shows in the quality and accuracy of the final result.  The actor playing Ken Masters truly looks and acts like Ken, moreso than in Beginning’s End.  Ryu, while a bit scrawnier than I would imagine Ryu being, and looking much older than he should, otherwise looks the part, including the RED (not white) HEADBAND.  The teaser at the beginning with Akuma was well done as well, with his hair and costume looking good.  The fight choreography in Legacy is also excellent, for the most part, and I love the effects used for Ken’s Shoryuken.  I do not, however, like the effects used for the Hadoukens.  I prefer the simplicity and speed of the Hadoukens in Beginning’s End.  Overall, however, it is also an excellent fan film.

Both fan films had their flaws, and both had their shining moments.  From the effects of Beginning’s End to the phenomenal costume and character design of Legacy, as well as the excellent fight choreography in both films, Street Fighter (17) fans were given an excellent view at what a truly good Street Fighter (18) live action feature film could be.  Take note, Capcom.  Hire these guys and make a Street Fighter (19) movie we can all be proud of.

-[insert STREET FIGHTER! (20) here]

I'm the Ambassador of Kickyourassador. I am the Walrus. I'm on a highway to the Danger Zone. I am the Kwisatz Haderach. I do things with words that have a generally geeky gist.

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  • Shoryureppa

    Actually, Ryu’s headband color is entirely correct. Before Ryu enters the first World Warrior Tournament, he wears the White Headband. It’s only after defeating Sagat with the Satsui No Hado throws Ryu’s focus off which allows Ken to beat him in a sparring match later on.

    Ken gives him the Red headband that holds his long hair together (the same red band which he’s wearing in beginnings end). Have you never heard of the Street Fight Alpha Series?

    http://ultramaxzone.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/street_fighter_alpha_ii_147_1024.jpg

    While their costuming may not have been as high quality as Legacy’s, the costume choices were all entirely accurate. Someone needs to brush up on their street fighter 😉

    • http://www.worldofmeh.com chris

      You are correct. Ryu did start with a white headband. In my haste, the fact slipped my mind. I am familiar with the Alpha series as well as its place in Street Fighter continuity.

      I realize that you (or if you are not Chris, then replace “you” with “Chris”) put a lot of effort into this film, but please keep in mind that constructive criticism should be welcomed by creators and fans, rather than patronized.

      Thanks for reading!

  • decrepdsol

    i remember when the first Street Fighter (21) movie came out. The one with Jean-Claude in it. I was totally stoked for it. of course, I was pretty young at the time, but I loved the games. Street Fighter (22) 2 was THE game to have on the SEGA Genesis. Which I was never cool enough to own. But I loved that game. Then I saw the movie. And even as a however-young-i-was-at-the-time kid, I knew it sucked. I haven’t watched these videos yet, but rest assured, I will as soon as i finish this post. Street Fighter (23) was epic. Street Fighter (24) gave me a way, when I was still a scrawny little schmuck, to beat the shit out of all my bullies. Street Fighter (25) helped make me who I am today.

    It may seem like I’m talking Street Fighter (26) up more than it deserves.

    But I loved Street Fighter (27) even more than Mortal Kombat loved Street Fighter (28). And Mortal Kombat owed it’s entire existence to Street Fighter (29). So Street Fighter wins (30). Except that the first Mortal Kombat movie was at least watchable, though decent AT BEST. Street Fighter (31) still made it all happen.

    • http://www.worldofmeh.com chris

      Lindsey hates the Raul Julia/Jean Claude Van Damme Street Fighter (34 - see Twitter for 32 and 33) with a passion. I remember seeing it as a kid, and (don’t hold it against me), enjoying it somewhat AT THE TIME. Hindsight is 20/20. I still have my Street Fighter (35) II Turbo Championship edition cartridge for my Sega Genesis.

      I was always a bigger fan of Street Fighter (36) gameplay than Mortal Kombat gameplay, and the story was always much more intriguing.

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