8 Things Mortal Kombat’s 1995 Movie Actually Got Right

While the 1995 film Mortal Kombat may not be the best adaptation, it remains an enjoyable movie that successfully brings several key elements of the classic video game to life. Director Paul W.S. Anderson managed to strike a balance between staying faithful to the source material and creating a narrative that appeals to both fans and newcomers alike. The movie embraces the game’s campy tone, delivering a fun, action-packed experience that captures the essence of Mortal Kombat.

Despite there being some harsh realities about Mortal Kombat, the film brings the game’s universe to the big screen in a way that resonates with audiences. Additionally, the movie’s ability to establish the rules and stakes of the tournament through organic exposition, as well as its clever use of palette-swapped characters and repeated sprites, demonstrates a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and visual style. While video game adaptations have often struggled to find their footing, Mortal Kombat stands as an example of how to effectively translate a game’s core elements into a cohesive and entertaining cinematic experience.

8
The Cheesy, Campy Tone

A self-awareness that made it fun to watch

The 1995 Mortal Kombat movie perfectly captured the cheesy, campy tone that defined the early entries in the video game series. While the games are known for their gory fatalities and gritty aesthetic, they also possess a certain level of self-aware silliness that the film embraced wholeheartedly. From the exaggerated performances to the cheesy one-liners delivered after each fight, Mortal Kombat mirrored the games’ penchant for over-the-top action and melodrama. By leaning into the absurdity and not taking itself too seriously, Mortal Kombat stayed true to the spirit of its source material, delivering a guilty-pleasure martial arts classic.

7
Remains True To The Source Material

Helps achieve the right amount of authenticity

Faithfully adapting a video game to the big screen is no easy feat, but Mortal Kombat manages to do so with flying colors. Mortal Kombat embraces the essence of the game series, incorporating all the important elements. From the mystical death tournament that serves as the backbone of the plot to the plethora of ninjas, every iconic aspect of the game is brought to life. The film’s commitment to its source material is further exemplified by the inclusion of the four-armed Goro, a challenging character to realize on screen, but one that is executed with impressive results.

What sets Mortal Kombat apart from other video game adaptations is its ability to capture the unique tonal balance of the series. The movie effortlessly navigates between moments of self-serious action and self-aware silliness, creating an atmosphere that is quintessentially Mortal Kombat. By staying true to the game’s essence and not shying away from its more fantastical elements, the film achieves a level of authenticity that is rarely seen in video game adaptations. In doing so, Mortal Kombat proves that remaining faithful to the source material is the key to creating a successful and engaging video game movie.

6
Its Simple Premise In Order To Appeal To Non-Fans

Purposeful exposition helps to reach a wider audience

What makes the 1995 film successful is its ability to cater to both fans and newcomers by presenting its premise in an accessible manner. It takes time to introduce characters, their motivations, and the tournament’s stakes, ensuring that even those unfamiliar with the game can easily follow along. By focusing on a smaller cast and resisting the urge to overload the narrative with obscure references, the movie strikes a balance between satisfying longtime fans and welcoming new audiences. This commitment to accessibility sets it apart as a successful video game adaptation that appeals to a wide range of viewers.

5
The Actors Are The Wrong Nationalities

A knowing wink to fans familiar with the games’ casting history

The Mortal Kombat movie’s casting of seemingly mismatched nationalities for its iconic ninja characters faithfully mirrors the video game series. Despite Scorpion and Sub-Zero’s Asian origins, the film features American and French actors in these roles, echoing the games’ use of Chicagoite and American voice performers. This trend extends to the casting of a French actor as Raiden, the Japanese thunder god. Despite this element of Mortal Kombat aging terribly, this unorthodox casting choice oddly maintains a peculiar authenticity to the source material, prioritizing practicality over strict adherence to canon.

4
The Use Of Palette-Swap Characters And Repeated Sprites

The perfect reference to ‘90s video game design

Mortal Kombat’s tongue-in-cheek use of palette-swap characters and repeated sprites is a hallmark of early ’90s game design, and the movie brilliantly incorporates this element. Just as the games featured color-swapped ninjas like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Reptile to save on development costs, the film includes numerous identical “red-hood guys” who populate the background of every major fight scene and set piece. These interchangeable, masked figures perfectly embody the concept of repeated sprites in live-action form, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the movie’s faithful adaptation of the source material’s visual style and cost-saving techniques.

3
The Rules Of The Game

Explained in a way that emphasizes that the characters have ventured into uncharted territory

Another way that Mortal Kombat excels at character-driven exposition is by establishing the rules of its universe. As the protagonists seek to understand their situation, they ask Raiden questions that naturally lay out the stakes and mechanics of the tournament. The film strikes a balance between providing enough information to grasp the essential plot points and leaving certain elements mysterious, such as the supernatural abilities of characters like Sub-Zero and Scorpion. This approach immerses the audience in the characters’ journey, as they navigate a strange and unpredictable world where the rules are not fully understood.

2
Raiden

Lambert’s performance successfully translates the character’s essence from the video game

While every 1995 Mortal Kombat character gives a unique take to the video game, Christopher Lambert’s portrayal of Raiden in the film captures the essence of the character perfectly. In the games, Raiden serves as a powerful, otherworldly mentor to the Earth realm warriors, guiding them through the challenges of the Mortal Kombat tournament. The movie’s depiction of Raiden as a charismatic, self-assured, and slightly playful deity aligns perfectly with his in-game persona. His ability to balance solemn pronouncements with moments of lightheartedness mirrors the character’s role as a wise and enigmatic overseer of the tournament.

1
The Fights

Standout battles are translated well from the game to the big screen

The heart of Mortal Kombat lies in its intense, well-choreographed fight scenes that capture the essence of the video game’s combat. The movie takes its time building up to these moments, and when the tournament begins, it delivers a series of impressive battles. The majority of the cast, being trained martial artists, execute crisp, fast-paced moves enhanced by flashy techniques and strategic wirework. Each fight is given its own distinct pace and structure, ensuring a varied and engaging experience throughout the film. The standout battles showcase Mortal Kombat’s ability to translate the game’s iconic clashes to the big screen effectively.