The new Street Fighter film, directed by Kitao Sakurai, has drawn a harsh review from the Associated Press. The adaptation of the vintage arcade game is described as enthusiastic but weirdly convoluted, and a complete mess.

A chaotic nostalgia trip

According to AP film writer Jake Coyle, the movie aims for a goofy good time built on kitschy '90s nostalgia. It is stuffed with period songs, including tracks such as:

  • "Who Let the Dogs Out?"
  • "2 Legit 2 Quit"

Coyle writes that the film is so messily plotted and chaotically conceived that it makes a six-button game seem comparatively artful.

Why is the Street Fighter movie criticized?

The review points to a breakdown in basic storytelling. Coyle says the film often forgets who its main characters are, what story it is telling and what tone it is trying to strike. For an adaptation of a fighting game, the review suggests the hand-to-hand combat is not the bluntly entertaining centerpiece audiences might expect. Instead, the chaotic structure undercuts the action.

What else is in the entertainment brief?

The same AP summary brief carried several other entertainment items. Al Pacino has been named the next recipient of the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, according to the wire report. The 86-year-old actor, known for "Dog Day Afternoon" and "The Godfather" trilogy, is the 62nd actor to receive the honor and will collect the trophy on Feb. 28 at the 33rd annual Actor Awards in Los Angeles.

Separately, Irish novelist Sally Rooney's books are no longer being sold in the U.K. after her British publisher, Faber, said it would stop distributing her works, citing legal concerns over paying royalties because of her support for Palestine Action, a group banned as a terrorist organization. British booksellers are now seeking clarity on the legal implications of selling her novels.

FAQ

Who directed the Street Fighter adaptation?

The film was directed by Kitao Sakurai, according to the AP review.

What is the film's tone?

The review describes it as a campy '90s nostalgia ride that is enthusiastic but messy and often unsure of its own story and tone.