A poster for the movie “Mortal Kombat,” which was released in theaters and on HBO MAX on April 23, features the two opposing sides in the movie and their respective fighters. Though this film was primarily made to appeal to those who grew up playing the “Mortal Kombat” game series, others can still enjoy it as long as they are not too sensitive to gruesome violence. Photo fair use of Warner Bros. Pictures
“Mortal Kombat,” a movie based on a video game franchise of the same name, was released in theatres and on HBO Max on April 23. This film, while not made for those looking for complexity, will appeal to those who love face-paced action scenes.
The film follows Cole Young (Lewis Tan), a descendant of the great fighter Hanzo Hasashi (Hiroyuki Sanada), as he is attacked by Shang Tsung (Chin Han) and his army of fighters in order to determine who will remain in control of the universe.
By a film critic’s standards, “Mortal Kombat” would not qualify as a good movie. There are parts of the plot that do not make sense — sometimes there is no clear explanation of why a character is moving to a different scene, and the ending might feel lackluster to some due to its quick resolution.
However, this movie is not meant for film critics. It is meant for those who grew up playing the video game series, or simply those who are connoisseurs of intricate fight scenes.
Part of the charm of this movie is understanding the subtle references to the many “Mortal Kombat” games and characters scattered throughout the two-hour film, such as when the main characters are looking at drawings of past champions, all of whom are characters from throughout the game series.
Although, even if the viewer has never touched a “Mortal Kombat” game before, they could still enjoy the movie for it’s many astounding fight scenes, each showcasing the fighters’ unique powers, such as Sub-Zero’s (Joe Taslim) ice blades or Lord Raiden’s (Tadanobu Asano) masterful control of lightning.
This movie is not made for children or the faint of heart. It stays true to the beloved games series and features many of the iconic moves that are gorey enough to have stirred controversy for decades.
“Mortal Kombat” is the perfect choice for mature viewers who are not looking for a cinematic masterpiece but are instead looking for a mindless action movie that will bring an extra spark of joy and nostalgia to those who grew up with the game series.
