Mortal Kombat debuted as an arcade beat’em-up in 1992. Nearly three decades later, the franchise includes eleven games and several film adaptations. The 1995 film, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson (Monster Hunter) and starring Christopher Lambert, remains the most recognizable. While criticized for its deviations from the source material, it still provided reasonably entertaining action. Now, 26 years later, a remake (or reboot) has arrived, prompting an evaluation of this new interpretation.
Cole Young (Lewis Tan), an MMA fighter, participates in lower-tier matches to support his family. Unbeknownst to him, he is a descendant of a mystical warrior destined to protect the world from evil. He is approached by Jax (Mehcad Brooks), a soldier who guides him to Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee). Together, they embark on a quest to understand the significance of Mortal Kombat.
The narrative in Mortal Kombat is remarkably simplistic. Regrettably, the filmmakers extend it to a runtime of one hour and fifty minutes. A more concise presentation would have significantly benefited the film. Furthermore, Lewis Tan’s portrayal of Cole lacks a certain compelling quality. His performance feels somewhat lackluster, making it difficult to fully invest in his character’s journey. In contrast, Jessica McNamee delivers a strong performance as Sonya Blade, arguably making her a more engaging protagonist.
Mortal Kombat marks the feature film directorial debut for Simon McQuoid, whose previous experience lies primarily in commercial direction. This inexperience is evident in the film’s execution. Despite its visual style and technical polish, the direction lacks a certain finesse. Attempts at humor often feel awkward, and the pacing is inconsistent. The plot developments are predictable, unfolding well in advance of the characters’ realizations.
Mortal Kombat offers a high degree of gore and numerous references to the game series, which should satisfy dedicated fans. The action sequences are well-executed and visually impressive, and the special effects are noteworthy. The film is most enjoyable when viewed as a spectacle, requiring a suspension of disbelief. It features several uniquely absurd sequences, including one involving a spinning hat.
In conclusion, Mortal Kombat provides some entertainment value and boasts competent production, but would have benefited from a more seasoned director. Arguably, Paul W.S. Anderson might have delivered a superior film, given his success with the original adaptation (and, more recently, Monster Hunter). In Monster Hunter, the characters were more engaging and developed compared to their somewhat superficial counterparts in this latest Mortal Kombat.
The film earns a passing grade, but only marginally so (particularly if you are not a hardcore fan of the games).
