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]
