Mortal Kombat (2021)
7.16 /10
4898 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
Washed-up MMA fighter Cole Young, unaware of his heritage, and hunted by Emperor Shang Tsung's best warrior, Sub-Zero, seeks out and trains with Earth's greatest champions as he prepares to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Cole Young
... Sonya Blade
... Kano
... Bi-Han / Sub-Zero
... Jax Briggs
User reviews
I will be short. You should understand how hard to make movies based on such a legendary universe (expectation is too high!), with a lot of characters that need screen time, and with limited budget, PLUS in a pandemic situation, - the director made a great job.
This is the best adaptation of such a legendary title.
Director:
Release Date:
2021-04-07
Run Time:
110 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
Mortal Kombat
I will be short. You should understand how hard to make movies based on such a legendary universe (expectation is too high!), with a lot of characters that need screen time, and with limited budget, PLUS in a pandemic situation, - the director made a great job.
This is the best adaptation of such a legendary title.
Mortal Kombat Gives Fans Of The Franchise The Brutal Live-Action Version They Deserve
Fans of the Mortal Kombat series have known that the path to bringing the violent and controversial game to live-action formats has been a mixed bag. While the first film in 1995 was a decent hit; the follow-up in 1997 disappointed fans who had grown weary of the PG-13 take on the series.
Subsequent efforts such as the 2011 television series also left fans wanting more; especially since the game series had become even more graphic and violent.
An animated film released in 2020 gave fans a taste of what they wanted as it featured graphical violence which many fans believed was essential to properly catch the spirit and action of the series.
The latest offering in the series “Mortal Kombat”; reboots the cinematic universe and gives fans the intense, brutal, and graphic violence that they have demanded. The film keeps the basic premise that the Outworld realm has won nine tournaments in a row, and based on the ancient laws; one more victory would allow them to take control of the Earth.
Raiden the Thunder God (Tadanobu Asano); who has been tasked with protecting Earth looks to assemble and train a band of champions to save Earth. Naturally, this is not going to be easy as Shang Tsung (Chin Han); is not willing to follow the rules of the tournament and dispatches his top fighter (Sub Zero (Joe Taslim) to dispatch the champions of Earth before the tournament in a clear violation of the rules in order to ensure total victory.
What follows is solid and very graphic action which contains gore and brutality on a level that almost kept the film from earning an R-rating. The action sequences are well-choreographed and there were some great recreations of classic moves by characters from the game series which were really well utilized and did not seem like gratuitous pandering.
While the plot is fairly simplistic and does not deviate greatly from the source material; it does give a larger backstory to the universe. It was really enjoyable to see many nods to the franchise throughout both subtle and overt and while some characters were glaringly absent which was a surprise; the characters that were included were really solid to see and the door was wide open for their inclusion at a later date.
While the cast does not contain any star power in terms of what Western audiences might expect from a major studio release; the ensemble works well and do a great job in bringing their characters to life.
The film leaves sequels wide open and teases a character that in my opinion was a glaring omission from the film. That being said; “Mortal Kombat” gives fans a solid adaptation that does not shy away from gore and violence and gives fans the cinematic experience that they have wanted.
3.5 stars out of 5
If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @
https://www.msbreviews.com
Even though I consider myself somewhat of a gamer, I was never the biggest fan of the Mortal Kombat games, probably because I never really knew how to play them. Besides occasional visits to my neighbor's house to play several games on his PlayStation 1 (or 2?), I've only played this game on the nostalgic arcade machines that gave me incredible joy when I was younger. In all honesty, I don't exactly remember if I watched the previous film adaptations of the popular franchise, but I do know that both didn't receive the best feedback from critics and audiences, especially the 1997's flick. Therefore, I went to the theater - first time in over four months - with no real expectations. I just hoped the action would compensate for the predictably flawed screenplay.
All in all, I'm surprised at how much I actually had fun with this movie. Considering this is Simon McQuoid's feature directorial debut, as well as Greg Russo's first screenplay credit, my hopes rested on Dave Callaham's previous works (Wonder Woman 1984, Zombieland: Double Tap) and on the gory, violent action sequences. The latter component is the best element in the entire film, which will definitely leave the viewers in search of action-heavy entertainment satisfied. The opening sequence shows the merciless brutality of each fight through phenomenal stunt work (Hiroyuki Sanada is impressively talented), long takes with exceptional choreography, and a shocking amount of blood - something quite characteristic of the game franchise.
The only negative aspect about this opening is the fact that no other action scene surpasses it, which doesn't mean that the rest of the battles fail to live up to the expectations of the most avid fans. Despite a few shaky, roughly edited scenes, the vast majority of the fights are easy to follow and feature jaw-dropping moments, such as the "Fatality!" finishing moves. McQuoid and his team of writers try to make the movie understandable and exciting to everyone, but if there's a chance of placing a reference, an Easter Egg, or something alike, they proudly and unrestrainedly present it to the audience, which will trigger the most hardcore fans to let go of a resounding, adrenaline-fueled "YEAH!".
I admit that I didn't expect the film to deliver those epic announcements from the game. From "Flawless Victory!" to "Fatality!", without forgetting the classic "Fight!", I did smile during these moments, where the actors actually change the tone of their voice to mimic the famous one-liners. Is it extraordinarily cheesy and over-the-top? Of course. Would any fan want it any other way? It might be a tad too much for some viewers, but I have to compliment McQuoid for fully committing to this adaptation. There's no ounce of shame, regret, or restraint. It's a movie made with a passionate public in mind, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to every single fan of the games.
I firmly believe people will end up liking or disliking this film based on how much the action compensates for the lack of a compelling story, which is something even the most enthusiastic fans are probably anticipating as well. From a couple of nonsensical narrative decisions to hollow, uninteresting characters, the screenplay is solely focused on explaining everything surrounding Mortal Kombat - Earthworld, Outworld, champions, stakes, rules of the tournament - through lazy yet admittedly efficient exposition scenes. The characters could have been better developed, and the actors are far from being completely convincing. However, no one will enter the theater or click "play" on HBO Max expecting to witness an Oscar-worthy story...
Mortal Kombat is a surprisingly decent adaptation of the popular franchise, which will leave the most hardcore fans quite satisfied. For viewers with no experience or knowledge about the games, it could be a tough watch. However, if all the audience seeks is action-heavy entertainment, then Simon McQuoid's directorial debut fulfills the more reasonable expectations. Packed with references that even the least avid gamers will recognize, the fighting scenes are mostly well-filmed and quite energetic, focusing more on the gruesome, bloody, jaw-dropping Fatalities. Despite the opening sequence being the peak of great action, there are a couple of moments that could be compared to some parts of that epic start. Story-wise, Greg Russo and Dave Callaham's screenplay is as flawed as expected, possessing ridiculous developments and an abundance of dull exposition scenes, but it's the underwhelming use of a few interesting characters that negatively impacts the movie the most. In the end, I definitely recommend it to fans of the franchise, who will surely appreciate this film a lot more than myself.
Rating: B-
I liked this more than I should have.
I have tried the games, but am not into the fighting genre of games (although the Injustice series grabbed me for its story). The previous movies were fun and didnt take themselves seriously - which was good, but they got too hammy and over the top. The last cartoon took itself way to seriously and was disappointing and forgettable to say the least.
This movie, however seemed to grab everything good from the previous attempts, added actors who know some martial arts, used some of the key terms and moves from the games and had a stand out performance from Josh Lawson as Kano adding the 'very dry type of Australian' humour. Hell, the score was even good.
Given that this is pretty much the same as the game - 10-12 fights some spectacular fatalities and a basic plot with no character development - this was a very fun way to spend 2 hours.
Fluff entertainment at its most bland. The fighting is pretty forgettable but at least they utilized the R rating for some decent gore that honors the game at least. Acting is at best so-so while the dialogue was pretty bad and it probably 10-15 minutes too long. Can't say I'll remember this but for what it is, it's fine as a time-waster. **2.75/5**
Okay so let's start by saying I wasn't exactly sure what to think going into this movie I didn't know what was going to happen but wow this is one of the best action films of the decade so far yeah it started slow but really was a good full time of excitement
OK LETS start off with if you have not watched the latest animations of mortal kombat this will movie will make you feel abit effy. You will need more background on the actual characters you know from previous movies and those you don't. and the True scorpion and sub zero animation also covers alot. Good fighting movie though. Shouting GET OVER HERE!!!!!!and FINISH HIM haha it makes a person feel like you part of it.
I've played Mortal Kombat since it first came out. I watched the original movies in the theaters. I had high hopes that maybe a reboot would make it feel fresh and maybe establish it as a darker genre like the games are.
The only saving grace in this film is the Scorpion and Sub-Zero Feud. I felt disconnected from Raiden and Shang Tsung because they were so emotionless and hollow. I did like who they got to play Kabal because I felt like that character was really well-written. I usually don't like Sonya Blade but this movie made me like her. I don't like Liu Kang I never will so it didn't much matter who they cast in that role because that character to me is too generic. I did not care one way or another for Kung Lao or Kano. The guy playing Jax has been the best Jax so far. I hate how they made Milenna look in this one and it just didn't suit the purpose of what her character really is. Goro felt copied and pasted from the original film.
All in all this could have been much better but I doubt we get to see anything past this due to how generic and unfeeling this film actually felt. Sad excuse for a Mortal Kombat reboot.
Mortal Kombat is not just too long for a movie based on a fighting video game; it’s actually too dumb to even be a movie based on a fighting video game. On the one hand it does a Resident Evil, introducing a new character and making him the hero, instead of giving this role to an already established character – preferably one that is, you know, popular among the franchise’s fan base.
And on the other hand, it dips into the same old MK well, kicking off with the Hanzo Hasashi Family Massacre – Kombat’s equivalent of the biblical Massacre of the Innocents. Only last year the animated Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge covered the exact same ground, and did it a lot better. The intertitle that follows the prologue confirms that we are not about to see anything new (Earthrealm blahblahblah Tournament blahblahblah Outworld blahblahblah).
MK21 contains exactly (sub)zero surprises. The first time we see Jax, we know he is going to lose his original arms and have them replaced with cybernetic prosthetics (the only surprising thing about this is that the character's first replacement arms are quite underwhelming. Jax eventually gets something more in line with what we’re used to; the question is, why does the movie do in three steps what it should do in two?). Similarly, Kano's true, treacherous nature is no secret.
We already know all this. We know it like the backs of our hands. If we don't know it from playing the game, we know it from watching the 1995 movie – speaking of which, MK95 is 10 minutes shorter (it wasted little time with pre-Tournament antics, and it didn’t even bother with a Training Montage; in contrast, MK21 includes what is best described as a tutorial, not the way you want to go about evoking a video game feel), which is to say 10 minutes better. It also had better effects; its Goro was clumsy and awkward – something like the Cryptkeeper on stereoids – but when Johnny Cage punched him in the balls, I felt it. Conversely, when Cole (Lewis Tan), the aforementioned brand-new character, fights Goro in MK21, it’s like he’s shadowboxing, and his shadow happens to be a four-armed man-mountain of pixels.
All things considered, what’s the point of watching a movie where we can anticipate every important event, and anything we don’t see coming a mile away turns out to be unnecessary? For example, it's cool – pun intended – when Sub-Zero makes it hail, but that’s just a gimmick – nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
Cast & Crew of
Mortal Kombat
Cast
... Cole Young
... Sonya Blade
... Kano
... Bi-Han / Sub-Zero
... Jax Briggs
... Emily Young
... Allison Young
... Lord Raiden
... Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion
... Shang Tsung
... Liu Kang
... Kung Lao
... Mileena
... Nitara
... Reiko
... Kabal
... Ramirez
... Harumi Hasashi
... Satoshi 'Jubei' Hasashi
... Hasashi's Baby
... Referee
... Cargo Plane Pilot
... Goro (voice)
... Shang Tsung Elite Guard
... Kabal (voice)
... Audience Fight Scene (uncredited)
... Bar Straggler (uncredited)
... Lin Kuei Assassin (uncredited)
... Temple Monk (uncredited)
... Lin Kuei Assassin (uncredited)
... Lin Kuei Assassin (uncredited)
... Lin Kuei Assassin (uncredited)
Crew
... Producer
... Property Master
... Original Music Composer
... Editor
... Producer
... Production Design
... Executive Producer
... Art Direction
... Producer
... Unit Production Manager
... Screenplay
... Video Game
... Video Game
... Executive Producer
... Supervising Art Director
... Foley Artist
... Stunts
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Casting Director
... Makeup & Hair
... Editor
... Casting
... Director of Photography
... Executive Producer
... Story
... Colorist
... Executive Producer
... Costume Design
... Sound Recordist
... Set Decoration
... "B" Camera Operator
... Script Supervisor
... Art Department Coordinator
... Steadicam Operator
... "A" Camera Operator
... Costume Supervisor
... Set Designer
... Set Designer
... Second Unit Director of Photography
... Visual Effects Producer
... Compositing Supervisor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects Producer
... Gaffer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... ADR Supervisor
... Standby Painter
... Sound Designer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Stunts
... Assistant Art Director
... Still Photographer
... Stunts
... Digital Intermediate Producer
... Assistant Art Director
... Script Supervisor
... First Assistant Editor
... Visual Effects Producer
... Sound Designer
... Casting
... Animation Supervisor
... Makeup Designer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... First Assistant Director
... Digital Intermediate
... Stunts
... Hair Department Head
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Casting Director
... VFX Editor
... Digital Intermediate Producer
... First Assistant Camera
... Best Boy Grip
... Concept Artist
... Construction Coordinator
... Stunts
... Makeup & Hair
... First Assistant "B" Camera
... Stunts
... "A" Camera Operator
... Set Designer
... First Assistant Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... ADR Editor
... ADR Mixer
... Prosthetic Makeup Artist
... Key Rigging Grip
... ADR Mixer
... First Assistant Editor
... Executive Producer
... First Assistant Director
... Grip
... Special Effects Technician
... Second Assistant Director
... Assistant Art Director
... Screenplay
... Story
... Director
... Producer
... Stunt Coordinator
... "C" Camera Operator
... Art Direction
... Assistant Art Director
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Special Effects Technician
... Stunts
... Key Hair Stylist
... Key Makeup Artist
... Visual Effects Producer
... ADR Mixer
... Dolly Grip
... Compositing Supervisor
... First Assistant "A" Camera
... Boom Operator
... Sound Recordist
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Boom Operator
... Visual Effects Producer
... Sound Designer
... Steadicam Operator
... Foley Editor
... Production Coordinator
... Boom Operator
... Makeup & Hair
... Concept Artist
... ADR Mixer
... Art Department Coordinator
... Lighting Technician
... Digital Intermediate Editor
... Lighting Technician
... Grip
... Concept Artist
... Payroll Accountant
... First Assistant "B" Camera
... First Assistant Camera
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... First Assistant Camera
... Makeup & Hair Assistant
... Foley Mixer
... Graphic Designer
... Standby Carpenter
... Lighting Technician
... Makeup & Hair
... Senior Colorist
... Digital Compositor
... Colorist
... ADR Mixer
... Concept Artist
... Concept Artist
... ADR Recordist
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Stunts
... Makeup & Hair
... Costumer
... Art Direction
... Fight Choreographer
... Set Costumer
... Executive Producer
... Casting Assistant
... Sound Editor
... VFX Artist
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Assistant Art Director
... Stunts
... ADR Recordist
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Key Hair Stylist
... Second Assistant Camera
... Leadman
... Second Assistant "A" Camera
... Digital Compositor
... Head Greensman
... Unit Production Manager
... Production Assistant
... Swing
... Second Assistant "B" Camera
... Sound Designer
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Sculptor
... Assistant Art Director
... Stunts
... First Assistant "C" Camera
... Swing
... Stunts
... Digital Imaging Technician
... Swing
... Conceptual Illustrator
... Propmaker
... Propmaker
... Special Effects Coordinator
... Set Costumer
... Stunts
... Set Dresser
... Set Designer
... First Assistant Accountant
... Digital Compositor
... Compositor
... Compositor
... VFX Artist
... Carpenter
... Animation
... Stunts
... Scenic Artist
... Art Direction
... Props
... Assistant Hairstylist
... Costume Assistant
... Costume Coordinator
... Costume Standby
... Costumer
... Assistant Camera
... Data Wrangler
... Digital Imaging Technician
... Grip
... Key Grip
... Lighting Technician
... Lighting Technician
... Lighting Technician
... Lighting Technician
... Lighting Technician
... Lighting Technician
... Rigging Grip
... Rigging Grip
... Second Assistant "C" Camera
... Dailies Operator
... Title Designer
... Assistant Property Master
... Assistant Set Decoration
... Concept Artist
... Concept Artist
... Construction Buyer
... Graphic Designer
... Propmaker
... Set Designer
... Set Designer
... Set Dresser
... Storyboard Artist
... Storyboard Artist
... Storyboard Artist
... Swing
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Boom Operator
... Animation
... Animation
... Compositor
... VFX Artist
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Production Assistant
... Visual Effects Production Assistant
... Visual Effects Production Manager
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Special Effects Technician
... Special Effects Technician
... Special Effects Technician
... Assistant Accountant
... Assistant Accountant
... Assistant Accountant
... Assistant Accountant
... Assistant Accountant
... Payroll Accountant
... Production Accountant
... Production Secretary
... Second Assistant Accountant
... Travel Coordinator
... Travel Coordinator
... Production Assistant
... Production Assistant
... Production Assistant
... Production Assistant
Videos & Photos of
Mortal Kombat
Videos (2)
Photos 26
Similar Movies To
Mortal Kombat
The Expendables 2 (2012)
6.305/10
Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.
Release: 2012-08-08
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
7.562/10
After her son Kevin commits a horrific act, troubled mother Eva reflects on her complicated relationship with her disturbed son as he grew from a toddler into a teenager.
Release: 2011-09-28
Sinister (2012)
6.849/10
Found footage helps a true-crime novelist realize how and why a family was murdered in his new home, though his discoveries put his entire family in the path of a supernatural entity.
Release: 2012-03-29
Savages (2012)
6.35/10
Pot growers Ben and Chon face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.
Release: 2012-07-06
Daughters of Eve (1985)
5.545/10
In the remote countryside of Ilongo, various women are sexually abused by local men. Two sisters meet Simon, the most attractive man in the village, and fight over him - one constantly haunted by Catholic dogma because of the abuse she suffered previously.
Release: 1985-02-07
Bullet to the Head (2013)
5.544/10
After watching their respective partners die, a cop and a hitman form an alliance in order to bring down their common enemy.
Release: 2013-01-31
Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013)
5.457/10
A young woman learns that she has inherited a Texas estate from her deceased grandmother. After embarking on a road trip with friends to uncover her roots, she finds she is the sole owner of a lavish, isolated Victorian mansion. But her newfound wealth comes at a price as she stumbles upon a horror that awaits her in the mansion’s dank cellars.
Release: 2013-01-03
In the Name of the King 2: Two Worlds (2011)
4.01/10
Granger, an ex-Special Forces soldier gets thrown back to medieval times to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Venturing through the now war torn Kingdom of Ehb, he teams up with an unlikely band of allies with the goal of slaying the leader of the "Dark Ones". Fighting against all odds, they must free the land from the grasp of the evil tyrant Raven and save the world.
Release: 2011-11-03
Killing Season (2013)
5.502/10
Two veterans of the Bosnian War, one American, one Serbian, clash in the remote Smoky Mountain wilderness.
Release: 2013-07-12
The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) (2011)
4.8/10
Inspired by the fictional Dr. Heiter, disturbed loner Martin dreams of creating a 12-person centipede and sets out to realize his sick fantasy.
Release: 2011-10-06
TEKKEN: Blood Vengeance (2011)
6.803/10
Set in the rich Tekken universe, Tekken: Blood Vengeance 3D follows Xiaoyu Ling, seasoned martial artist and high school student, tasked by the G Corporation to infiltrate an international school in Kyoto to gather information on the mysterious student Shin Kamiya. Before she can make any progress in the investigation, Shin is kidnapped by an unknown assailant. Digging deeper into Shin’s background in an attempt to rescue him, Xiaoyu learns about the frightening underbelly of the Mishima Zaibatsu. Jin Kazama, Kazuya Mishima… and the late Heihachi Mishima’s conspiracy that’s stained with blood.
Release: 2011-07-26
The Baytown Outlaws (2012)
6.054/10
When three redneck brothers agree to help a woman save her son from an abusive father, they become targets on the run from an odd cast of characters.
Release: 2012-08-27
Terminator Genisys (2015)
5.907/10
The year is 2029. John Connor, leader of the resistance continues the war against the machines. At the Los Angeles offensive, John's fears of the unknown future begin to emerge when TECOM spies reveal a new plot by SkyNet that will attack him from both fronts; past and future, and will ultimately change warfare forever.
Release: 2015-06-23
Pixie Hollow Games (2011)
6.956/10
Rosetta and new arrival Chloe band together to try to break the garden fairies' legendary losing streak in the Pixie Hollow Games, a sports spectacle filled with pixie pageantry, fantastic fairy events and hilarious surprises.
Release: 2011-12-24
Stoker (2013)
6.6/10
After India's father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. She comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives and becomes increasingly infatuated with him.
Release: 2013-02-28
I, Frankenstein (2014)
5.271/10
200 years after his shocking creation, Dr. Frankenstein's creature, Adam, still walks the earth. But when he finds himself in the middle of a war over the fate of humanity, Adam discovers he holds the key that could destroy humankind.
Release: 2014-01-22
Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
6.842/10
A hard-nosed, hard-living Marine gunnery sergeant clashes with his superiors and his ex-wife as he takes command of a spoiled recon platoon with a bad attitude.
Release: 1986-12-05
Unleashed (2005)
6.889/10
Raised as a slave, Danny is used to fighting for his survival. In fact, his "master," Bart, thinks of him as a pet and goes as far as leashing him with a collar so they can make money in fight clubs, where Danny is the main contender. When Bart's crew is in a car accident, Danny escapes and meets a blind, kindhearted piano tuner who takes him in and uses music to free the fighter's long-buried heart.
Release: 2005-02-02
District B13 (2004)
6.74/10
Set in the ghettos of Paris in 2010, an undercover cop and ex-thug try to infiltrate a gang in order to defuse a neutron bomb.
Release: 2004-11-09
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
4.537/10
With global superpowers engaged in an increasingly hostile arms race, Superman leads a crusade to rid the world of nuclear weapons. But Lex Luthor, recently sprung from jail, is declaring war on the Man of Steel and his quest to save the planet. Using a strand of Superman's hair, Luthor synthesizes a powerful ally known as Nuclear Man and ignites an epic battle spanning Earth and space.
Release: 1987-07-24