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Shame on me: I've been reviewing cult Japanese movies for years now but this is the first Sonny Chiba film I've tackled. And I call myself a martial arts fan...
Sonny is, of course, a legend of Japanese action cinema, and The Street Fighter is his undisputed masterpiece, an incredibly violent showcase for the star's remarkable Karate skills (and his reasonable impression of Bruce Lee). As seemingly indestructible mercenary anti-hero Terry Tsurugi, Sonny kicks, punches and tears through a veritable army of opponents, leaving them either dead, or writhing on the floor in agony, blood pouring from one or more orifices. The brutality reaches a climax in a stunning finale set aboard a rain-lashed oil tanker which must rank as one of the most intense fight scenes ever committed to film.
But it's not just about the violence: the stylish execution also makes this a cut above many martial arts movies of the day, with great cinematography, innovative direction from Shigehiro Ozawa (including the legendary 'X-Ray' punch shot mimicked in Jet Li's Romeo Must Die), great editing and a funky 70s soundtrack. Do yourself a favour... don't leave it as long as I did before watching this incredible piece of Asian excess.
8.5 out of 10, rounded up to 9 for IMDb.
score 9/10
BA_Harrison 30 September 2011
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2496212/ |
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2-3-2021 00:07:06