“Flawless victory.” —Kung Lao
Today’s quick review: Mortal Kombat. Cole Young (Lewis Tan), a struggling martial artist, is chosen as one of the warriors who will defend Earthrealm from the sorcerer Shang Tsung (Chin Han) and the invading armies of Outworld. Together with Jax (Mehcad Brooks), Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Kano (Josh Lawson), and Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), Cole trains to defeat Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim) and the other warriors of Shang Tsung.
Mortal Kombat is a martial arts fantasy action movie based on the video game of the same name. Mortal Kombat features a colorful ensemble cast with a wide range of special talents and fighting styles. The movie pairs off its warriors in a series of deadly battles as Shang Tsung attempts to eliminate Earth’s defenders before they can master their power. Unique characters and lots of gory action make Mortal Kombat a straightforward but enjoyable watch.
Mortal Kombat does a skillful job of capturing the spirit of its source material. The fights are varied and full of spectacle, the large cast lets the movie indulge in a high body count, and the movie never shies away from packing in more action wherever it can. Fans of the franchise will find plenty of direct references to the source material. And while the plot is not masterful, it serves its main purpose of tying the action together.
However, Mortal Kombat has a few clear shortcomings. The eclectic nature of the universe means that Mortal Kombat always feels like it’s making up new rules as it goes along. Several key concepts are never adequately explained. The acting is mediocre, with actors who fit their roles but don’t do much with them. Some of the characters are also underutilized. This is especially true for Cole, a mediocre protagonist who adds little to the plot.
Overall, Mortal Kombat delivers exactly what it promises: bloody, creative fights between larger-than-life characters. Fans of the series will find it entertaining, if flawed, while anyone who enjoys the fantasy side of the action genre will get something out of it. However, issues with its characters and its story keep Mortal Kombat from reaching higher. Steer clear if you are hoping for something with a little more substance.
For a campier take on the same source material, try the original Mortal Kombat. For a gory and fanciful martial arts action movie, check out Ninja Assassin. For a fighting game adaptation with a much lighter tone, try Street Fighter. For a much weaker movie with similar plot elements, try Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, or Dragon Wars: D-War.
[6.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293429/). I give it a 7.0 for violent action wrapped around a flawed story.