THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
A reboot/remake for a film is made to either enhance an original story or be an easy cash in for studios. Let’s face it, both live action adaptations of Mortal Kombat were downright terrible since first released in the 90s, and the franchise deserved a better outing. While the 2020 direct to video animated film Scorpion’s Revenge was fun, it was until the following year where fans got exactly what we wanted.
PLOT
The 2021 adaptation follows the same basic outline that Earthrealm must claim one victory over Outworld in the titular tournament, or they will invade. In 1617, Hanzo Hazashi and his Shirai Ryu family was attacked by ice manipulator Bi Han aka Sub Zero, leader of the Lin Kuei. The infant of Hanzo was left for dead as her father’s body was taken to the Netherrealm. However, she was saved by the God of Thunder, Lord of Raiden. Fast forward to the 21st century, the bloodline of Hazashi lived on and the most recent descendant is an MMA fighter named Cole Young. Young does meet Special Forces agent Jackson Briggs after a fight, having a small conversation of a dragon marking he was born with. Outworld sorcerer Shang Tsung intends to cheat by having Sub Zero kill chosen champions of Earth before the tournament could ever start, hoping to get a forfeit victory. Cole and his family are attacked by him, but are protected by Jax. As they flee, Jax tells Young that he is chosen to fight. Jax also tells him to seek his partner Sonya Blade while he buys his family some time by taking on Sub Zero. The fight doesn’t last long as both of his arms get frozen and shattered to pieces by his foe. Cole does find Sonya, who is holding captive a Black Dragon mercenary named Kano. She shares how she’s been investigating the tournament of Mortal Kombat for quite some time and that a dragon marking can only be transferred after killing original bearers. In the case of Jax and Kano, they got their marks when defeating original bearers. Sonya doesn’t have one and is jealous that Kano has one, believing that he doesn’t deserve it. The three are attacked by another of Outworld, a reptilian beast named Syzoth. Kano intervenes and kills it by ripping his heart out. He also claims to know where Raiden’s temple is and demands to be paid for it afterwards. Despite not affording him, she promises to pay. Upon the closest coordinates, they meet another champion of Earth named Liu Kang, who can shoot fire from his hands. With him, they finally reached the temple. At the temple, Sonya discovers Jax to be alive and his original arms replaced with metal arms that appear not so advanced. When they meet Raiden, he is critical to the newcomers: Cole hasn’t summoned his Arcana that grants his abilities, Kano is selfish and Sonya doesn’t have a marking. He also explains to them of the stakes. Shang Tsung attempts to attack the temple with aid of Sub Zero and Mileena, a half Tarkatan and half Edenian, who has a giant jaw and can teleport. Raiden creates a shield to prevent them from attacking. After this, Cole & Kano begin training with Liu and his cousin Kung Lao, who can teleport with his metal hat. Kano gains his Arcana as a laser can blast through his right eye. Raiden grows disappointment with Cole’s lack of progress, as he hasn’t unlocked his arcana yet. When he insists him to go home, he reveals to him his relation to Azachi. Tsung gathers more forces to attack again: a vampire named Nitara (Mel Jarnson), Reiko (Nathan Jones) who carries a hammer, and Kabal (Damon Herriman) who has super speed and carries hook swords. The latter convinces Kano to shut down the shield in order for them to attack, promising to pay him more than what Sonya promised. As he does so, Outworld’s forces get the jump on the champions of Earthrealm. As that happens, Cole gets attacked by an eight foot tall, four armed Shokan named Goro. It is at this moment where he finally gains his arcana. In his case, he can manifest durable, metal skin that can absorb kinetic energy. It can also generate weapons in the form of tonfas in his arms. With his new power, he is able to kill Goro. At the temple, Lao kills Nitara by cutting her in half with his hat. And Jax gains his arcana that upgrades his metal arms and exceeds his prior strength. Raiden brings him back to the temple, hoping to even the odds. They attempt to flee to The Void, but Sub Zero attacks Cole before he could leave. When Lao intervenes, Tsung steps in and consumes his soul. As Raiden and the remaining champions are all at the Void, a safe zone between realms that Outworld can’t enter, Cole proposes to force the tournament by having each member have single combat in separate locations. The plan is that once the others are defeated, they must team up against Sub Zero. Sonya is able to kill Kano at her home, gaining her dragon mark and arcana. Jax is able to kill Reiko on his own somewhere that resembles a temple for Outworld’s emperor Shao Kahn. Elsewhere, Liu Kang kills Kabal by summoning a dragon composed of flames. Sonya helps Cole kill Mileena by shooting her with an energy blast that comes from her hands. Sub Zero is able to get Cole to himself when revealing to hold his family hostage. They fight at a gym turned to ice and Cole is not focused as he hopes free his wife and daughter. He attempts to fight with Hanzo’s kunai and when his blood is spilt on it, it frees him from the Netherrealm and he joins to fight his ancient rival. Together, both relatives get the upper hand on Sub Zero, but Hanzo finishes him by burning him alive with the hell fire he summons, showing his newfound power as Scorpion. He also frees Cole’s family and thanks him for releasing him as he leaves. As Tsung appears and vows to bring an army, Raiden declares to recruit more warriors for the next conflict. The film ends with Cole claiming to go to Hollywood, passing by a poster with movie star Johnny Cage on it.
THOUGHTS
As a fan of the video game franchise, I was so hesitant on how I wanted to see this movie that I was on the brink of watching it on (HBO)Max. But my instincts as a cinephile kicked in and I preferred cinema over streaming. Little did I expect that I would leave the theater satisfied. My expectations were low and the exceeded significantly. Director Simon McQuoid and producer James Wan knew that Mortal Kombat wasn’t the kind of story that would pull back on violence. And it was a great relief that every fight, every fatality was spectacular to witness. This is what it’s all about. With much improved visual effects, it made things all the more surreal. Benjamin Wallfisch’s score kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting to figure out how things are gonna hit the fan. I’m not trying to overrate this movie and call it a masterpiece action film like The Bourne Ultimatum or John Wick, but it brings the same amount of fun as those did. And having fun seeing a film is an important part of the theater experience. I think the biggest thing that made me appreciate this movie more is what appeared to be improved character development. While some were one dimensional, a majority got the depth that they deserved. There really wasn't a need for a new character, but I think the reason that the studios mandated for it to happen was to shake up the story. The addition of Lewis Tan as Cole Young was a welcome one because he shows that anybody can make a difference and the only person that can motivate you is yourself. When discovering that he was meant to fight for the world, of course his head wouldn't be in the right place. But once he realized how he can't do so with such stakes, he became 100% focused and summoned his arcana. HIs doesn't have the best power compared to the others, but it definitely is a standout. Getting into the actual known characters, Jessica McNamee was a good choice for Sonya because she perfectly reflected the character as the most headstrong woman to be tough as nails. Even though she wasn't chosen from day one as a bearer, that doesn't stop her doing her part in saving the world. Mehcad Brooks impressed me when playing Jax because no matter what pair of arms he had on him, he always brought ferocity to the battlefield. Ludi Lin was one of the many to be perfect casting for Liu Kang. Like his predecessor Robin Shou, he brought the same dedication, courageousness and pride that the character is all about. I respect that he wasn't the lead because it would've been predictable. The one thing he did better than Shou was how he looked more fierce when doing the bicycle kick. Tadanobu Asano was an interesting choice for Raiden as he does a better job displaying him to be the most wise and firm, compared to Christopher Lambert. Everything he says is nothing but truth and when he summons his lightning, you don't wanna be in the receiving end. Kung Lao is the only protagonist from the games to have his first film appearance here. And I gotta say Max Huang delivered in bringing this character to life. Compare him to Liu Kang and he can be more outspoken, yet he does not know what hesitation means when it comes to defending himself. While he didn't last long in comparison to the other protagonists, he arguably had the best fatality after using his hat on Nitara as buzzsaw and she didn't get a cut on him. Hence, flawless victory. Going into the villains, I feel like Chin Han was meant to play Shang Tsung because he is on point making him as the most manipulative and and ruthless figure you'll see. When he delivers the line "Your soul is mine", he is basically at the brink of outperforming his predecessor Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa. When it comes to being meant to play certain characters, the same can be said with Josh Lawson because as Kano, he is arrogant and diabolical like most villains, but also downright charismatic. I mean it's crazy seeing how calm he was after killing Syzoth. I also found relief that we see him use his laser eye because I was livid that the 1995 film did not show off such a unique weapon. Sisi Stringer was also good as Mileena because she was frightening to see, and that's before noticing that the blood was covering up the rest of the teeth. The best of the visuals went to Goro, which is a relief because thanks to that and the voice role of Angus Sampson, I truly felt intimidated seeing him take on Cole. Kabal wasn't in this film as much as the others, but he is interesting to see not just for an unique set of powers, but how he was just as amoral as Kano. Last but not least, the real reason this movie worked because of the infamous rivalry between Sub Zero and Scorpion. And thankfully, they got it just right. Joe Taslim perfectly displayed Bi Han as literally the coldest of antagonists due to his desire to conquer like Tsung. Every move he pulled, they are fascinating to see yet terrifying up close. Whereas Hiroyuki Sanada brought pure wrath as Scorpion. The best thing about him is how despite all the anger he had inside him, he was honorable and protected what was left of his family. And hey, his delivery of "Get over here" is priceless. I do think this movie is fun, but it doesn't entirely condone the flaws that I noticed. First off, Why didn't Scorpion have enough security in the opening? I get he doesn't want to overthink the situation but if you got a rivalry going on with another gang, being pre cautious is completely necessary. The weirdest thing to happen during the opening fight was how Lin Kuei ninjas attack by small groups, rather than all at once. Even if Sub Zero wanted Scorpion to himself, I feel like they should've gotten the jump on them to please their master. I also didn't like how Jax played dumb by not knowing what a birthmark is. Pretending not to know the dragon mark is may be part of trying to recruit Cole, but asking what a birthmark is doesn't sound like an actual question to hear in real life. The tournament has went down for centuries, yet Raiden has never caught Shang Tsung cheating until now. He is depicted as a watcher over the planet, yet ironically misses important things like that. I also found it unwise how Tsung doesn't send his disciples to attack Earthrealm's champions at once. If he had somebody to go with Sub Zero at first, than there'd be a better chance of taking out Cole. And had Sub Zero not wasted his time taunting the champions by standing around and waiting for them to make a move, they'd be dead before Syzoth could ever get there. Speaking of Cole, it blows my mind how he never did any research on the mark like Sonya did. It's the mark of a dragon, and he's not curious at all about it? That's hard for me to believe. It's straight up weirder than how Sonya didn't even recognize him when she's got pictures of him on her obsession wall. And why did he doubt the tournament's existence? He just ran into Sub Zero and Jax showed off the same mark he had. I know this would be a lot to take for anyone, but it's unbelievable that he would doubt this. I don't want him to lose everything like Scorpion did, but his family should've not survived being frozen by Sub Zero. If it didn't work out for Hanzo's family, Cole shouldn't be so lucky. But I guess the studio demanded a semi happy ending too. What was so weird to hear was how Shang Tsung claims that the Elder Gods are too lazy to stop him. If they are, how has he not killed them yet? If he dealt with them already, his only problem would be Raiden. Also, is Kano's laser eye metal? It looked metal when Sonya threw Acetone at him, so I can't help but wonder if it did turn to it. And lastly, how did Raiden never consider recruiting Johnny Cage until Cole goes to Hollywood in the end? If he doesn't have the mark, that'll make sense, but it almost sounds like he does. However, I'll still have a ball with this film after ignoring said flaws. In conclusion, 2021's Mortal Kombat is arguably one of the best video game adaptations for nailing the source material and creating proper depth for main characters. If you love the video games as much as I do, I assure you that you won't be disappointed with this one.
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