3 Things That Actually Aged Well About JCVD’s Street Fighter Movie

by

A new Street Fighter movie is coming in 2026, and it’s generating excitement with its unique cast. The first look at the film appeared at The Game Awards, prompting many to compare it to the 1994 Street Fighter movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. While the original film wasn’t perfect, some aspects still hold up today. We’ve identified three specific moments and qualities that have aged surprisingly well.

3. Ryu and Vega’s Final Fight

Okay, so the big showdown between Guile and Bison is definitely the main event, but when it starts, there’s this awesome parallel fight happening! You’ve got Ryu really struggling to keep Vega and Sagat at bay, but thankfully Ken shows up just when he needs help. It’s a great team-up moment!

The whole fight is fun to watch, but the battle between Ryu and Vega is the most memorable part. It’s packed with exciting moments and keeps you on the edge of your seat, really showing how dangerous Vega is and how cleverly Ryu fights. A standout moment is when Ryu uses a furnace to try and burn Vega’s mask! It’s a brutal, efficient, and surprisingly stylish fight – I much prefer it to the more flashy battle against M. Bison that it’s usually shown with.

2. The Comedy and The Camp

The movie’s humor surprisingly held up well, largely because it didn’t take itself too seriously and embraced the fun side of the source material. The Street Fighter games are known for their exaggerated characters and wildly over-the-top moves, and the film captured that same energy.

The movie shares this quality, and Jean-Claude Van Damme embodies it perfectly. While some lines don’t quite land, his over-the-top hero fits the character well, and he delivers some genuinely funny lines. Many characters, like Zangief, Dee Jay, M. Bison, and Cammy, have memorable and often hilarious dialogue – Zangief’s “change the channel” is a prime example, while Cammy’s lines playfully poke fun at the franchise itself. The film fully embraces its video game origins, especially evident in the celebratory ending. Ultimately, the original Street Fighter is delightfully silly and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

1. Raul Julia’s Villainous M. Bison

The actors really leaned into the over-the-top style of the series, and Raul Julia was no exception. He brought a unique depth to his role, going beyond the surface by thoroughly researching real dictators and criminals to inform his portrayal of M. Bison. Despite the serious preparation, he still had a playful side, delivering perfect comedic timing – like when he joked about all the businesses eager to set up shop in Bisonopolis’ food court.

Those moments are so effective because they stand out sharply against Bison’s typically evil behavior, especially considering one incredibly harsh line he delivers. It comes during a conversation with Chun-Li about the death of her father, where he casually says, “I’m sorry. I don’t remember any of it.” When Chun-Li presses him, he coldly replies, “For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life, but for me, it was Tuesday.” It’s a truly shocking statement, and Julia’s performance makes it even more impactful.

It’s already remarkable, but there’s more to the story. Julia took on the role of M. Bison because his children were big fans of the game. Sadly, Julia was battling terminal cancer during filming, and his family was with him on set. Even with everything he was going through, those who worked with him say he remained positive and gave a truly memorable performance. He was a true legend.

The new Street Fighter film hits theaters on October 16, 2026.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/movies/list/every-street-fighter-movie-character-reveal-ranked-compared-to-the-originals/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-22 18:40