Street Fighter Opens to $70M Globally Amid Mixed Reviews

Key points

• The film, directed by Kitao Sakurai, is set in the 1990s and follows a worldwide fighting tournament featuring characters like Ken, Ryu, and Chun-Li.
• The cast includes Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, and real-life athletes such as Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski.
• Critics praised the vibrant visuals and fight choreography but criticized the incoherent plot and tonal inconsistencies, resulting in a 47% Rotten Tomatoes score.
• The movie is the first major release under the new Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, with strong performance expected in Asia and Latin America.

Background

The film follows the 1994 'Street Fighter' and the 2009 'Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li,' which was a notable flop. The new adaptation aims to capture the nostalgia of the 1990s arcade era while appealing to a broader audience with a PG-13 rating.

How outlets are covering it

Variety highlights the extensive cast and the film's connection to the original video game series. AP News criticizes the film as a 'mess' despite its campy 1990s nostalgia ride. Deadline notes the strong box office performance compared to 'Mortal Kombat 2' and the impact of the school break on attendance. The New York Times praises the action sequences but notes the script's struggles with introducing multiple characters.

Why it matters

The film's performance sets the tone for the new Paramount-Warner Bros. merger and indicates the continued viability of video game adaptations in the current market, despite critical challenges.

What to watch

The film is expected to continue its run in theaters, with further box office updates to be released. The success of 'Street Fighter' may influence future adaptations of classic video game franchises.