MORTAL KOMBAT! Dun dun dun dun dun-dun dun dun dun! Sorry, had to get that out of the way. While I don't play much of the games, I respect it as one of the most famous game franchises. The original movie is enjoyable if cheesy (with a super catchy opening theme to boot) and there's no disagreement the sequel should go to the Netherrealm. Cut to 2021 and we got ourselves a brand new reboot. Can Raiden's lighting strike again?
Plot: Former MMA champion Cole Young finds himself chosen to participate in the interdimensional tournament Mortal Kombat, the goal being to prevent Earth's invasion by the malevolent Outworld. This makes him and his family a target for assassination by the dark forces. Reluctantly, Cole joins a band of heroic fighters including Sonya Blade and Liu Kang among others, led by the thunder god Raiden. Together they must unlock their true powers in order to stand a chance against their evil counterparts.
There's a large cast of characters, which is both its strength and weakness. On one hand, it allows a diverse set of fighting styles and abilities, not to mention a good-sized body count. On the other, it means some will be more developed than others and some character storylines will have to take a backseat, though this mostly falls onto the villains. Acting is a somewhat mixed; while no one is bad, some line delivery comes across as stiff while the rest is done well. The main characters are likable enough to carry the movie, faithfully adapted from the games with some going through arcs that connect with their abilities and relationships. The standout is Kano, who eats every last chunk of the scenery and provides much of the comic relief. The iconic rivalry between Scorpion and Sub-Zero is also done well with the film's opening being one of the stronger emotional scenes, leading to an excellent payoff later on. Cole Young is made exclusively for this film. Not the best protagonist, but is serviceable and acts as an audience avatar learning about MK as much as the viewer. Of course, we have numerous fight scenes spread throughout, each set in visually distinct locations. There's a superb balance of martial arts and magic, playing to the strengths of each combatant and often ending in super gory fatalities, the latter something missing from the old films. These are complemented by great special effects that blend CGI with practical elements. There's lots of fan service to go around with many callbacks to the franchise like a recreation of the theme music, classic catchphrases, and a little fun poked at spamming attacks, very few of which are intrusive. Admittedly, the first half is a little sluggish in its pacing, but afterwards it picks up nicely and ends with a bloody finale.
All in all, this is an enjoyable experience. A little rough around the edges, but it's both a fun film and a faithful adaptation.
Plot: Former MMA champion Cole Young finds himself chosen to participate in the interdimensional tournament Mortal Kombat, the goal being to prevent Earth's invasion by the malevolent Outworld. This makes him and his family a target for assassination by the dark forces. Reluctantly, Cole joins a band of heroic fighters including Sonya Blade and Liu Kang among others, led by the thunder god Raiden. Together they must unlock their true powers in order to stand a chance against their evil counterparts.
There's a large cast of characters, which is both its strength and weakness. On one hand, it allows a diverse set of fighting styles and abilities, not to mention a good-sized body count. On the other, it means some will be more developed than others and some character storylines will have to take a backseat, though this mostly falls onto the villains. Acting is a somewhat mixed; while no one is bad, some line delivery comes across as stiff while the rest is done well. The main characters are likable enough to carry the movie, faithfully adapted from the games with some going through arcs that connect with their abilities and relationships. The standout is Kano, who eats every last chunk of the scenery and provides much of the comic relief. The iconic rivalry between Scorpion and Sub-Zero is also done well with the film's opening being one of the stronger emotional scenes, leading to an excellent payoff later on. Cole Young is made exclusively for this film. Not the best protagonist, but is serviceable and acts as an audience avatar learning about MK as much as the viewer. Of course, we have numerous fight scenes spread throughout, each set in visually distinct locations. There's a superb balance of martial arts and magic, playing to the strengths of each combatant and often ending in super gory fatalities, the latter something missing from the old films. These are complemented by great special effects that blend CGI with practical elements. There's lots of fan service to go around with many callbacks to the franchise like a recreation of the theme music, classic catchphrases, and a little fun poked at spamming attacks, very few of which are intrusive. Admittedly, the first half is a little sluggish in its pacing, but afterwards it picks up nicely and ends with a bloody finale.
All in all, this is an enjoyable experience. A little rough around the edges, but it's both a fun film and a faithful adaptation.