I remember heading over to a friend’s house after school to play Mortal Kombat on his Sega Genesis because my family would never let me play a game with so much suggested gore. Three years later, the series made its way to the big screen in what at the time will be the biggest and most amazing video game films for the era. I spent so much money in arcades, playing my favorite in the series Mortal Kombat 3. #TeamCyrax. That being said, I will admit that I am approaching this film as a fan and while I’ll try to limit the spoilers, keep in mind… SPOILERS!
Like normal, this critique will be based on three categories: Story, Acting, and Overall. So let’s begin.
STORY: 5/10
It’s frustrating that the series decided to tell the story of Cole Young, when there are so many people in the roster to choose from. We do though love the background story that runs the entirety of the film with regards to the feud between the Scorpion clan and Sub-Zero clan. This was a major thread throughout the series and was something that was just a footnote in the original movie in 1995. The fact that they devoted so much time to their relationship really helped me feel connected to the lore of the series.
Additionally, the choice to not include Johnny Cage felt painful going into the film, but when you realize how much they focused on Kano, you instantly realize why they would not have wanted to have two loudmouth comedy-driven characters. They would have taken away from each other. In the following film, Cage will clearly pick up the mantle, but hopefully in a friendly and less asshole way.
All in all the story seemed like a smaller tale than I thought it was when I looked at my watch. It’s a smaller story that feels more like a setup for a franchise, and less like a stand-alone film.
ACTING: 6/10
If there were anything I can say, I worry about Josh Lawson’s back. He worked so hard carrying this film! Haha, joking aside, Ludi Lin, as Lui Kang, Josh Lawson, as Kano, and Jessica McNamee, as Sonya Blade, all did an amazing job. However, the best acting was in the intro between Joe Taslim, as Bi-Han/Sub Zero, and Hiroyuki Sanada, as Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion. It’s sad that their story and passion were spent and then over within the first ten minutes of the film. The rest of their scenes are wooden. If they really wanted to make an intro film to the series, I would have preferred to see a whole dramatic story focusing on them and why that scene even happened.
The other actors didn’t falter, but it’s hard when you have that much talent, and it’s only a lead-up to a film that can’t compete with its opening scene when it comes to the drama and action of it.
OVERALL: 5/10
It’s fun. It is Kombat, with great easter eggs and did a great job hitting what it had to do. The switch from the heavy drama in the beginning to a whimsical action film with a strong comedy-driven character like Kano is a weird choice. One or the other, but such a full stop and gear shift are probably what cost this movie a higher rating from me.
Conner’s Final Thought(s):
A lot of people want to compare this film to the original film. I frankly understand why, it was really well-loved. However, it’s unfair. During that time Mortal Kombat was on top of its game, and the series didn’t really have much of a story. It simply did what the game did. If you were to watch the original in a vacuum, it’s horrible. It’s not its fault, but this movie is not worse or better depending on your prior attachment. It is its own film and it should stand on its own, not be judged by a film made decades prior.
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