(trailer review) - Mortal Kombat II

 

Up, Down, Left, Right, Finish Him! Mortal Kombat was that rival game for those who loved Street Fighter II. It has come a long way, too. The earlier film can be argued as a guilty pleasure, but was definitely better than the Street Fighter film (that one was so bad, Raul Julia had some iconic lines and made it good). The most recent Mortal Kombat film, though, whilst not amazing, was actually a really good and entertaining movie. Ultimately there was not much to the strange story, not many or any one-liners or quotables that I can remember, but some of the characters were introduced, and there were some decent fight scenes, but when it ended, I did think at the time, "that wasn't bad, a sequel would be nice", or something along those lines, but because I enjoyed it. And here we are, a sequel to a decent Mortal Kombat film, and the gang is back, and then some.

Grabbing Karl Urban from Lord of the Rings, Thor Ragnarok, Dredd, Star Trek and The Boys fame, is an absolute get, as it seems as though, having him play the actor Johnny Cage is superb casting, as Karl is an awesome actor. What I will say, though, seeing those other characters is nice and all, but what is happening? A little like the first movie, you are seeing all these different characters that appeared later in the games and although we may not be following the game's storyline at all (something I know little about and they could be making their own), or maybe loosely, what happened to the other guy in the first movie? There is a quick shot of him in the trailer, a blink and you will miss it, moment. Where is Sub-Zero? Granted, I have definitely forgotten what happens at the end, and he may likely be "dead", and maybe I need to watch it again, but this looks like a continuation, but the main character has been swapped out? Or is it, "Here comes a new challenger!" I dunno, I like the trailer, but is it all about Cage now? Regardless, some money has definitely gone into the sequel, and should this be just as good as the first one, we should have a decent time with it. Remember that frozen blood turned into a weapon,  something like that! The "Get over here!" is good and all, and expected, but that slice-a-man-in-half at the end is expected as it is a fatality, but we need a better trailer. Maybe, just maybe, some X-ray shots like in the games. That might be cool!

(film review) - Mortal Kombat

It's interesting, I am a "gamer" (I say that loosely because trying to find time to play games is limited) and when I can, I'll turn on the ol' Xbox and play something.  I remember my first console in fact, it was a Nintendo and I could see the console's box through the Argos bag my mum was carrying as it was a birthday present.  I was sooo happy.  I remember when I first played Mortal Kombat for the first time.  I'm pretty sure I bought it first hand (as I did buy a lot of second hand games when I was younger) and I thought the game looked a little weird.  The graphics were nothing like anything I'd seen in a fighting game before, but eventually, after Mortal Kombat II and Mortal Kombat 3, I was slightly, a fan...but I did prefer Street Fighter.  You see back then, it was either Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat (because there always has to be a one or the other with these things, you know...lol), but I never really got into the lore of MK although I really enjoyed the fatalities, secret characters and the gore.  Up to this day, Mortal Kombat is still going and we are on Mortal Kombat 11 in 2021.  I've not played it and I am not in a rush to either.  This movie, apparently the writer and director wanted to give the fans what they desire from a Mortal Kombat movie as the 1995 guilty pleasure version is, well...ok at best but didn't really go into the lore.  But does this one? Well...

Mortal Kombat centres around a character named Cole (absent from the games) who is a MMA fighter who finds himself unwittingly caught up in a fight between the Earthrealm and Netherrealm.  Special Forces Major Jax and Sonya Blade are tracking down a Tournament called Mortal Kombat when they find Cole and with the help of Kano venture to Netherrealm to meet Raiden the God of Thunder to help him defeat the Soul Eating Shang Tsung.

All I ever really wanted from this movie was characters, fighting, fatalities and a few laughs and while I'd agree, I am only partially the demographic this film is aimed at, in fact I am fully the demographic it is aimed at (I am just not that interested in the story), I'd like to say I had fun with this movie because it gave me exactly what I wanted.  Without going into too much spoilers, a lot of the original characters are there, whilst other characters are hinted at for future instalments.  The beginning fight with Hanzo and Bi-Han is great and quite impactful, however the character who stole the movie in every scene was Kano.  By far, the most redeeming thing about the movie and why the movie is soo entertaining.  Although I have heard other viewers and likely, fans claim the film is terrible, rubbish or trash, I'd like to say, there are a multitude of reasons as to why this is and why they may also feel this way.  The story is rushed and poorly executed.  Another 20 minutes to 30 minutes could really help this movie with pace, fleshing out the characters and the story.  The dialogue is clunky and definitely not the best.  Some of the acting is wooden and personally, I felt they could have had more canon fodder so we could see more fatalities and fight scenes.  The special effects is ok at best and whilst the fight scenes were cool, this movie could have easily have been The Raid meets Lord of the Rings...ok, maybe not Lord of the Rings but something a little fantasy-like with grittier fight scenes.  This film is lacking a few things, but for me, does just enough for it to work.  First time Director Simon McQuoid didn't do too bad on his first outing, but possibly with some assistance in future, could pull out something a lot better than this one, although this one isn't terrible.

The film is a fun mess and while I'd say nothing to write home about, chances are, you would actually like to write home and tell your family and friends that the movie isn't that great, but you are intrigued to see more and actually want more.  Lets hope we do get more, aye.

Red Band Trailer - Please note adult themed material.

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(trailer review) - Mortal Kombat

Red Band Trailer - Please note adult themed material.

(Official Trailer) Red Band Trailer

Let's have a moment to fully digest this trailer.

It is the opening 7 minutes to a film, just like what they did with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where that was 5 minutes they released before the movie.  In Mortal Kombat lore, Sub-Zero and Scorpion are two mortal enemies that have had beef for centuries and I'm not sure how it started or the reasons as to why man would just turn up at your home like that ending your bloodline, killing your wife and child, but I understand.

Imagine being moments away and hearing the screams of your wife only to run back and find her and your son dead knowing maybe you could have saved them you are likely going to go to town murdering them all until you get to Boss Man himself, Sub-Zero.

Yeaaaaah, I'm watching this. That's all.

Directed by Simon McQuoid and starring Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Chin Han, Joe Taslim and Hiroyuki Sanada

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(trailer review) - Mortal Kombat

Red Band Trailer - Please note adult themed material.

I will try to make this trailer review short, but I am of an age that was alive and playing computer/video games when Mortal Kombat came out.  It was a game that was meant to divert attention from Street Fighter II back in the day.  Something different and challenging.  I got the first Mortal Kombat game on my, hmmm....I want to say Super Nintendo, having rented it from Blockbuster video and I loved it.  Ok, details are a bit fuzzy, I did rent A Mortal Kombat from there, it might have been 3, but the point is, I was alive and played the game which also meant I enjoyed it, bought Mortal Kombat 2 and watched the movie also.  Whilst the movie was terrible, It was nowhere close to as terrible the Street Fighter movie was, which was also nowhere close to how terrible the Super Mario Brothers movie was.  I say all of that to say this, having played these games, seen these terrible movies (although Mortal Kombat is the more superior out of the 3 I mentioned), this trailer looks like it is done for people like me.  Although I haven't played the latest Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 11, this trailer is for them.  For the fans of the franchise and I love it.

It seems they are changing the lore a little and adding bits here and there but whilst there are rumours to who Cole is, for the most part, this trailer seems to be giving Mortal Kombat fans across the world, exactly what they want, iconic characters, iconic moves, bosses and fatalities and as gory as the game.  Love it!  Visually, it could look a lot better, but if i'm honest, I don't think it's bad enough for people to care enough about it.  Seeing the guy from Supergirl as Jax, he is totally unrecognisable which completely baffles me.  He looks sooo good.  Let's just hope as good as he is and this trailer, especially some of these shots like Sub-Zero freezing the shotgun blast and freezing blood in mid-air to form a dagger, let's just hope this movie is just as good.

Directed by Simon McQuoid and starring Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Chin Han, Joe Taslim and Hiroyuki Sanada

You can comment down below to enter in discussions. Thank you for reading, Subscribe and Spread the word! - Get your ReelReeviews, right here!