Autant en emporte mon nunchaku

Return of the Street Fighter is the sequel to brutal, dynamic and entertaining The Street Fighter which was only released two and a half months earlier. This film features some vicious fight scenes like the predecessor but disappoints in all other regards. The movie seems to have been rushed in order to take advantage of the predecessor's surprising success.

Some of the brutal fight scenes look so ridiculous that they are unintentionally humorous. One example is when Tsurugi Takuma beats up a Yakuza so hard on the top of a snow-covered mountain that his eyes pop out. The story is even shallower than the plot of the first movie and basically revolves around a Yakuza clan that blackmails people to finance a new martial arts school that serves as hideout for an international organized crime organization. To make matters worse, one of Tsurugi Takuma's opponents from the first movie who was believed to be dead makes a random appearance in this film to get revenge. This film also features two extended flashbacks from the first film that overstay their welcome and only attempt to make the film longer than it is. The main character has a new sidekick in this film named Pin Boke whom he picked up from the streets for vague reasons and who is constantly annoying the main character and talking nonsense.

The elements that makes this weak sequel acceptable are its relentless pace, brutal fight scenes and gloomy atmosphere. Those who really liked the first movie can give this sequel a try and should definitely check out the third and last installment in the series entitled The Street Fighter's Last Revenge which is the best of the three movies in my opinion.

In this sequel to The Streetfighter, released the same year, it's much more of the same for bad-ass martial-artist-for-hire Tsurugi (Sonny Chiba), only much less plot. Of what there is, the film focuses on a fake charity organisation used to embezzle money for the mob and see good folks out of their hard-earned money. Tsurugi is still p****d at the mob from the first film, so he doesn't take too kindly to this revelation. The mob sends waves of bad guys after him, and he kicks their arses. Also returning is Masashi Ishibashi as the presumed-dead Tateki, only minus a throat and plus an artificial voice-box.

I must admit I remember very little of this film apart from a lot of thoroughly enjoyable action sequences in which Chiba is never under any threat. I thought this was because I'd drank quite a lot of brandy, but it is because the film genuinely contains little else. Saying that, I still enjoyed the 70 minutes of carnage. It doesn't come near to the original, in which Tsurugi is much more despicable character, but I suppose they were aiming at a wider audience with this sequel. Which is probably why the gore factor, something that was so lovable about the first film, is noticeably toned down. It still has a scene where Tsurugi knocks someone's eyes out with a blow to the back of the head, so not all is lost. An easy 70 minutes, and mixes very well with spirits.

www.the-wrath-of-blog.blogspot.com

(1975) The Return Of Street Fighter DUBBED MARTIAL ARTS ACTION

The second of three Street Fighter movies from Japan starring karate actor Sonnny Chiba, as he plays Terry paid to kill some people just in case they leaked any information about the syndicate's illegal practices, which has something to do with harassing clients for the construction of buildings. As soon as they ask Terry to kill one of his respected masters, he declines and the syndicate then try to kill him next. Although, this set up has been done many times before, it is only the backdrop to showcase the gory violence Terry and foes inflict on each other. This movie also includes characters from the first movie as well as old enemies.

Director Shigehiro Ozawa and Sonny Chiba did this sequel immediately after their first Street Fighter (1974) in 1974-5. The plot is almost identical (what there is) as Sonny is again Terry who does dirty jobs for the mob and never has any morality in his mind bothering him. He just kills and kicks people's asses if the job requires that. Well so much for any "deeper" elements this film would have had; these are just ultra violent action films which are there only to offer the audience more savage action than those of HK film makers' of the same period.

Return of the Street Fighter has many flashbacks from the first film and never seems too original or interesting, but still it is never boring or hard to watch without falling asleep. The action is plentiful and Sonny tries again to be ultra cool and tough guy with some misogynistic habits, too. The violence is laughably over the top but still shocking and extreme enough to secure the highest X rating (or NC-17) for this kind of film, and so a film this savage would never come from Hollywood nowadays.

If one likes mindless action and memorable music score with strong imagery of gratuitous violence, then Return of the Street Fighter is worth a watch, but still I prefer the original first Fighter film (not that it is any remarkable masterpiece either). These films are Japan's answer to Hong Kong's Bruce Lee and Jimmy Wang Yu, but ten times more vicious, mindless and cinematically not so ambitious. 4/10

Rule #1 of the movie business - If it works, beat it to death. "The Street Fighter" worked so he returned. Back in the 1970s movies with violence could get an "X" rating. If your copy is only about 75 minutes long then you have the censored version. I have read the complete version is 83 minutes but I have also read 90 minutes. The second rule of movies is when making a sequel just do the same stuff over again but this time a bit longer and harder. This movie followed both rules resulting in viewer enjoyment and producer profit. I rate it just a tad above average for the year and genre based on that. I considered deducting a point for the annoying side kick but at least she's cute.

The movie opens with Sonny offered big money to get two guys. He negotiates for double the money. The first guy is in police custody so Sonny gets arrested. He cuts the guy's throat then escapes by defenestration. (The first movie had two defenestrations.) He discusses his second target with his new sidekick, a girl.

What style of martial arts did Sonny Chiba show in his movies? He practiced kyokushin, ninjiutsu, goju-ryo, shorinji kemo, judo, and kendo. Before he started martial arts, Sonny did track and field, baseball, and volleyball in high school. To take this to the next level, on the advice of a coach, he dedicated himself in artistic gymnastics. In his movies his moves seem more reflective of that rather than any martial arts style.