It’s fair to say that movies based on video game franchises have a less-than-impressive history. The majority of the time, critics and fans are agreed in their mostly-negative opinions of the film that ends up on the big screen, though there have been some notable exceptions as of late, such as the Sonic the Hedgehog live-action flick.
Warner Bros. were hoping to buck this trend with the reboot of the Mortal Kombat series, bringing a whole host of new actors to recognisable roles along with one original character in particular to centre the story around. The result is, as expected, an extremely divisive offering that has split audiences right down the middle.
Simon McQuoid marks his feature directorial debut with the flick, which is produced by James Wan, Todd Garner and E. Bennett Walsh alongside McQuoid himself. If he wanted to thrust himself straight into the spotlight, then he’s certainly chosen the right project to kick things off with!
It is that fanbase which will likely feel the most warmth towards this picture. For anybody who hasn’t got to grips with one or many of the countless Mortal Kombat video games, it may be a little tougher to sink your teeth into, for there is an awful lot of fan-service and a level of expectancy of the audience to know what they’re getting themselves into.
What many people have pointed to as one of the biggest flaws of this release, is that there is a lack of an actual Mortal Kombat tournament; but this fan believes that this wasn’t necessary to deliver a compelling and at times, emotional narrative. Instead, we see the foundations built for a series, with the introduction of a new hero that proves themselves to be a formidable opponent in any bout.
Cole Young (Lewis Tan) is that fighter; accustomed to beating people up for money but completely unaware that the dragon-shaped birthmark he was born with means that he has been chosen as a champion of Earthrealm. So, when the cryogenic killer Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim) appears intent on killing him by any means possible, he is confused to say the very least.
Fortunately, former military agent Jax Briggs (Mehcad Brooks) is on his trail, giving him enough of a warning to get his family to safety before the icy assassin can slaughter them all. In doing so, Jax suffers at the hands of the ruthless fighter, losing both of his arms in a heavily one-sided confrontation.
Told to search for Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Cole embarks on a journey that he could never have predicted, though you would never quite guess it from the way in which he takes it on. He seems bemused at times and although he’s a little put out, he’s never truly shocked that there is somebody who sucks souls out of living bodies wanting him dead, from a completely different realm.
Still, on he goes, as a ragtag team is put together to stop the murders of Earthrealm’s remaining champions and an invasion of the power-hungry Shang Tsung (Chin Han) to put all of humanity to work at his behest.
McNamee is one of the standouts of the film. She brings a real gravitas to the role of Sonya; a woman who wants to save the world by any means possible, despite not having her own mark as a champion of Earthrealm.
She is brilliant opposite Josh Lawson’s Kano; an Australian mercenary who will do just about anything for a big pay day and, it’s worth pointing out that he is perhaps the single best actor amongst this talented group at bringing his almost comic-like character to life. Crude and funny; you want to hate him but there are moments you can’t help but laugh as he pokes fun at those who he should be intent on helping along.
Hiroyuki Sanada also excels as Hanzo Hasashi, better-known to many as Scorpion. We get a glimpse at his origin story, but it isn't until right at the end of the film that we really begin to realise just how important he and his bloodline will be to this series moving forward; assuming more instalments are given the go ahead.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of Tadanobu Asano's Lord Raiden. He seems a little too juvenile to fully encompass what the character should really be about; I wanted a more grizzled and stern representation, but Asano failed to deliver a high level of authority, despite his very clear overwhelming power.
Though it’s not quite the flawless victory many were hoping for, there is still plenty of meat around the bones of this film to ensure it’s worth the watch. In fact, I’m already thinking about when I’ll have the time to sit down and enjoy it all over again.
The fight scenes are delightfully violent and gory; exactly what you would expect from a film with the Mortal Kombat branding. Hopefully in the future, more movies will be given the green light and we’ll be able to see even more of our favourite fighters from the games make their debut. One in particular is teased right at the end of this feature…
Mortal Kombat is available to rent on demand at home now.
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