Mortal Kombat 2021: 26 Years In The Making

Photo from Nexus Hub

When I arrived home Friday, I had two things on my mind: Yes; they gave me tomorrow off at work, and I’m nervous talking to the owner of the publication I’m a part of on Sunday. What would he sound like, and how would he perceive my voice? I hope they’re ready because I sound like a surfer bra who abandons surfing to get a Ph.D. in science. I set those aside so problems so I can watch a film that melted my worries.

Mortal Kombat (2021) released internationally on April 8, 2021, and in the United States on April 23, 2021, in theaters and HBO Max. New Line Cinema produced the film, and Warner Bros. distributed it.

Directed by first time major length film director, Simon McQuoid. He’s directed plenty of ads for Netflix, Playstation, Call of Duty, and the Duracell Star Wars commercial. He did a good job overseeing the movie. The scenes looked vivid, and the action scenes excite.

The screenplay of Mortal Kombat is by four people (it makes sense now), Greg Russo with Mortal Kombat (2021) and many video game movies in development as Saints Row. Dave Callahan, who wrote Godzilla (2014) and the first Expendables. Oren Uziel wrote 22 Jump Street and The Cloverfield Paradox. It’s a video game-based film where people rip each other half and shoot fireballs from their hands. If you’re except Citizen Kane, this isn’t it. It would have helped if the dialogue flowed like in the Video Game story mode, and the video game story isn’t that great.

Cole Young. Photo from Inverse

The major players of the film are Cole Young (Lewis Tan), known for Wu Assassins, where he played Lu Xin Lee. He’s the major character of the film, and its drag following him around the world. The script wrote him as the least charismatic person on earth. Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), known for The Meg, where she played Lori. Jax (Mehcad Brooks), known for Desperate Housewives, played Matthew Applewhite. Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), known for Power Rangers 2017, where he played Zack the Black Ranger. He looks younger here. Raiden (Tadanobu Asano) known for Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan, playing Genghis Khan. Shang Tsung (Chin Han) known in The Dark Knight, where he played Lau. Kung Lao (Max Huang) a stunt man known for his stunts in Kingsman. Kano (Josh Lawson) known for The Last Death, where he plays Paul. After seeing his performance, I rather see a film starting him; he’s hilarious. Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada) known for The Wolverine, where he played Shingen. Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim) known for fast and Furious 6, where he played Jah. The actors give flawless performances, but the screenplay doesn’t give them much to work with.

Everything a fan would want is here: blood and gore. Each time blood squirts out, it’s when the film picks up, and you’re right at edge of your seat cheering the heroes on. After the fight is over, you’ll ask for more.

Photo from Bloody Disgusting

There are minor nuances in the film, like Coles’s past, what happened with Jax’s arms, and who are these characters, and why should we care about them? Fans would know who they are, and it delights them to see new renditions of their favorite characters, but the general audience would scratch their heads instead of being entertained.

Overall, McQuoid is a solid director who knows how to make scenes pop. The story is choppy, and the actors give it they’re all. The movie makes it up with incredible action scenes and the Mortal Kombat signature fatalities represented on the big screen. If you have HBO Max, save yourself the trouble and watch it at home; you get more enjoyment out of it. If you made it to the end, thank you for reading, and may the Elder Gods protect you.