Street Fighter : The Legend of Chun Li

Welcome to another episode of The "D" List.

I know it's been a while. But I'm back and sadly my next review is a film that may have taken down Push as this year's worst film. The film I'm referring to is Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li. Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak and written by Justin Marks based on the highly popular Street Fighter video game series.

I mentioned in my review of The International that I was going to see this film probably expecting to be disappointed and sadly I was right. Part of me wonders why I don't listen to myself. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment or have this undying faith that somebody will do right by these video game adapted films.

The plot of this horrible film is based on the origin of one of the games popular characters. Chun Li Huang played by the beautiful Kristin Kreuk. She was the only watch-able aspect of the film. For those of you unaware of the video games here's a quick education.

The Street Fighter games series is a 1 on 1 based fighting game that arrived in the early 90's. It's played in a tournament style format. You get to choose from several characters that possess different fighting styles. What makes the game so popular is that each of these characters also have special abilities that make them superhuman.

For example, one of the most popular characters is Ryu. He's a martial artist that has the ability to harness his chi (inner energy) and blast it at his opponent. It's called the Hadouken. He also has other abilities as do the rest of the fighters which has given the game the ability to withstand the advancements of video games in today's world. Over the years the game has improved to meet with the times and it's popularity has not wavered.

In 1994 a film adaptation was made of this game starring Jean Claude Van Damme and it was terrible. It's now known today as a camp classic, but the film truly sucked. This latest attempt to recapture the Street Fighter magic makes Van Damme's version look like a masterpiece by comparison. In my opinion, this film fails in the same way the '94 version failed. They tried to make an original story using the characters from the game when an original MORE ENTERTAINING AND INTERESTING story already existed.

Every time a movie is being a made based off a video game it's instantly labeled as a failure before it's even seen. And here's why.

Hollywood JUST DOESN'T GET IT!!!!!!

The creators of these video games are some of the world's most talented and creative storytellers. They have to be otherwise their games don't sell. But instead of relying on the amazing source material that most of these games possess, these studios/writers insist on trying to make a new world. Not only is that blatant egotistical behavior, it's sloppy filmmaking and disrespectful to the original material.

If I sound pissed off. That's because I AM! I can't for the life of me understand why these studios/producers/writers/director's choose to abandon a story that's already written for some incoherent drivel. And to compound their crimes, they try to jedi mind trick the audience with flashy editing or choreographed martial arts or CGI effects to hide the fact that they are telling a crappy story. This move had all of that and even that stuff was crappy. I've said it before. The worst thing you can do as a filmmaker is assume the audience is stupid.

So how can this be fixed? I know where to start. USE THE SOURCE MATERIAL!!!! It's there for a reason. There's nothing harder than to create the blueprint for a screenplay (trust me, I know). Base your script off that. The foundation is there and just expand off that and your on your way. Here's another thought Hollywood. Why not employ the creators of the game to write the screenplay or at least let them consult/assist with the writer you hire. Who would be better to write the films story than the creator's of the story in the first place. DUH!!!!!

I know that all of this is easier said than done but when you consider the fact that of the several hundred video game based films that have been made, about 90-95% have been trashed by critics and fans alike. That stat is not hyperbole trust me. I can't see the harm.

Well it appears that I have gone on a rant and told you nothing about Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li. Consider yourselves lucky. There isn't anything to tell other than this was a horrible film that will be added to the ongoing list of failed video game film adaptations.

On the 5 star scale Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li gets the goose egg 0 stars and a hearty "Save the Loot" recommendation, especaially if you're a Street Fighter fan.

My next review will be Watchmen. I saw it this past weekend and let me tell you right off the bat. After this rant I just had about Hollywood not using the source material. I will not be saying that here. This film used the exact opposite approach.

Stay Tuned.

Until Next Episode....I'll Save You A Seat!

"D"