My Mortal Kombat review

 My Mortal Kombat review 

Intro: So, in order to protect the Earth from being invaded, Earth's fighters have to win a tournament ten times. You can’t have the best two out of three. Also, don’t you wish we would have this instead of wars or trial by combat?  

Mortal Kombat: This movie is centered on a man name Liu Kang who learns that his brother was murdered, so he goes out to find the killer. He learns that the killer is hosting a tournament called Mortal Kombat and he has to compete in it to reach him. That becomes difficult when he sees that the competition is more than what he bargained for and the stakes are high. So, Liu Kang and the other earth fights have to win the tournament to protect the earth.

Calling this the best video game movie wasn’t a fair statement considering the lack of competition at the time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fine as an adaptation but that doesn’t help make it a good movie. As bad as the Street Fighter movie was, I understand why the movie went in that direction it's because you can’t have a movie with just fighting. The story in this movie is OK ( Despite the fact that it’s a rip-off of Enter the Dragon.) however it could have been better. The movie set up interesting things with the character it’s just that the writers don’t flush them out. 

I understand why this movie is rated PG-13 because you don’t want to alienate the kids who played this game. Plus, the R rating wouldn’t help make this movie better. I would like to know how this tournament is structured I mean, I find it odd that none of the earth fighters fight each other. Another issue I have with the movie is the CGI hasn’t aged well. (To be fair, it didn’t look good back then.) Characters don’t always react when they see someone or something unnatural happen, one of the fights is lame, and how one character used a line from the game is contrived. 

Liu Kang is a tortured character. Not because his brother was murdered, it's because he struggles to come to terms with his destiny. Despite being short-tempered, he can be sarcastic.   

Johnny Cage is a movie star who's the comic relief and self-centered. 

Sonya is an FBI agent who's self-reliant. It's a shame that she and Liu Kang are not close because they both want the same thing. What bothers me about her is the movie doesn't do much with her. Also, she becomes helpless in the last act of the film. 

Kitana is wasted in this movie! Besides being eye candy, she's just in the movie to guide Liu Kang. She was suppose to be his love interest but that didn't get enough focus.  

Raiden is the guarding of the earth realm. He serves as a mentor for the trio. My issue with him is his advice is on the nose.   

Shang Tsung (the main villain) is power-hungry but is calm and collective. 

There isn't much I like about this movie beyond the soundtrack and one touching moment in the movie. Overall, this is an OK movie and I use the term loosely. I would recommend this if you like Kung Fu films. 

Rating = Rental