Audiences have waited over two decades for another shot at a movie based on the Mortal Kombat video game series. The original came out back in 1995 and was a box office success, while still being a cheesy and fun flick for fans to look back on. On the other side, the 1997 sequel holds a paltry 2% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The franchise has delivered some really good games in recent years and it feels like the right time for a new attempt at a film. There are obvious reasons for moviegoers to be concerned, while there are also a lot of reasons for excitement. Mortal Kombat is set to hit theaters and HBO Max on April 16, 2021.
Skeptical: Balancing All Of The Characters
Considering Mortal Kombat is a fighting game with plenty of playable characters, it’s only fitting that the film features many of them. While it’s great that players will get to see their favorite characters come to life on the big screen, it’s also a reason to be a bit worried.
It can be a tricky balancing act to include so many characters on screen in a movie. Some might not get the screen time they deserve and won’t be fleshed out as much. Some films nail the concept but most of them struggle when there’s possibly too much going on and it works better in a series format.
Excited: Looks Faithful To Games
From everything that people have seen, this movie looks like it will be a mostly faithful adaptation. Producer James Wan and everyone else behind this version come across as fans of the series who want to do it justice. Often, that’s all a gaming audience wants in a movie version.
Someone who cares about the brand goes a long way. Images and clips so far show that this film is at least somewhat nailing the vibe. The character designs are on point, the violence is there, and the fight scenes look like cinematic takes on the video game.
Skeptical: CGI
This isn’t a slight against CGI in general. There was next to no way to pull off this movie without it. Aspects like Mileena’s mouth, Raiden’s lightning, and Goro’s entire body wouldn’t really be possible with some form of CGI. Alas, it’s still a question mark.
While the CGI has looked mostly strong in the images and clips seen so far, there’s a possibility that so much of it might not hold up in the actual movie. That is especially true when it comes to those who watch it on the big screen in a cinema.
Excited: Mostly Unknown Cast
For the most part, this Mortal Kombat iteration features a cast that isn’t widely known. In this case, it’s actually a very good thing. A really recognizable face would take away from it being a popular video game character. Audiences might see the actor and not the fighter.
These actors all do have key roles in their history. Mehcad Brooks (Jax) is known from The Game, True Blood, and Supergirl, while Hiroyuki Sanada (Scorpion) was in Lost and Avengers: Endgame. Still, they’re not major Hollywood names and that lets this movie feel more like the game.
Skeptical: Original Protagonist
In a gaming series that has been around for several decades, there are almost countless characters who could be the centerpiece of a movie. Back in 1995, it was all about Liu Kang, while characters like Raiden, Sub-Zero, and Sonya Blade remain pop culture staples.
So, it’s a bit odd that the 2021 film is opting to focus on a completely original protagonist. His name is Cole Young, he’s a past his prime MMA fighter, and he’s played by Lewis Tan. With so many pivotal characters to cover, adding someone new in the middle could take away time from those who the audience came to see.
Excited: Rated-R
As much cheesy fun as the 1995 flick is, it does suffer from serious issues. One of the most criticized is the fact that it had a PG-13 rating. Mortal Kombat is a franchise built on being overly violent, gory, and holding nothing back. That separated it from other fighting games.
Tekken, Street Fighter, and other similar series had nothing like that. The 2021 version is indeed rated R. That will allow it to include the blood and gore that was such a signature of the games. Without it, this just wouldn’t feel all that much like Mortal Kombat.
Skeptical: The Original Films
Regardless of how cool this new movie looks, there will always be skepticism due to what viewers are used to. The first Mortal Kombat is a mixed bag at best. It does a good job with some of the fight scenes despite the PG-13 rating and some of the characters are well done.
Still, it’s hard to call it a very good or great movie. The sequel was panned by critics and also heavily disliked by fans. It makes people wary of a third attempt as there’s a chance it’s just not the kind of game that can translate well to a film.
Excited: Fatalities
If there’s one thing that even the most avid fans of the 1995 version missed, it was the fatalities. It’s the biggest selling point of the games for a reason. When a player is on the verge of victory, they hear “FINISH HIM” and proceed to nail a special move that consists of creatively killing their opponent.
That was lacking in the first two films. It is already clear by the few scenes depicted so far that this version will not shy away from fatalities. Not only will they exist but they will be just as creative and violent as they are in the games, at least at first glance. That’s exciting.
Skeptical: Video Game Movies In History
It’s not just the past of Mortal Kombat films that has some audience members skeptical. There’s also the entire history of video game movies. Most of them are widely known to be lackluster. They miss what the game is all about and feel like they were rushed to the screen.
There are exceptions, especially in recent years. Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Tomb Raider, and The Angry Birds Movie series have all been pretty well received. Still, since they don’t often do well, there is cause for concern.
Excited: That Trailer
The best way to get anyone interested in a movie is to drop a great trailer. Mortal Kombat did that and exceeded even the highest of expectations. That’s especially true for those who checked out the red band trailer, which let the R rating get showcased.
The trailer featured awesome moments like Sub-Zero freezing a bullet or when he froze blood and then used it as a weapon. There was Scorpion’s famous “GET OVER HERE” and Kano saying, “Kano wins.” On top of it all, it included a montage of fatalities to get the crowd pumped.
