I can't exactly explain why I was so excited for 2021's Mortal Kombat after the first trailer dropped [1] back in February. While a lifelong fan of fighting games, prior to watching the trailer, my knowledge of the Mortal Kombat series was limited to the original arcade game I played at a movie theatre growing up. Watching Sub-Zero kick some serious ass before Scorpion yells "Get over here" is all it took for me to go all-in on the game's lore.
2021's Mortal Kombat, which follows Earth's greatest champions as they prepare to take on enemies from Outworld, isn't groundbreaking when it comes to plot and dialogue. It's also one of the most ridiculous things I think I've ever witnessed. Since its release on HBO Max April 23, I've watched it about 10 times. As a forewarning, not all fans of the game will be happy and those that loved the 1995 adaptation might go into it with very different expectations. Personally, I prefer the 2021 version; it feels truer to where the game stands today. If you're still unsure whether or not you should give Mortal Kombat a chance, here are three reasons you should.
It Includes Connections Die Hard and Casual Fans Can Enjoy
When it comes to video game adaptations, it's hard to find the perfect balance between paying homage and being hokey. Where Mortal Kombat succeeds is by including famous game lines like "Test Your Might," "Flawless Victory," and "Fatality!" It also makes sure to stay true to the iconic finishing moves used by the different characters in the game. The best examples of this are Kano's signature heart-rip fatality to finish off Reptile at Sonya's and Shang Tsung using his soul taker fatality to drain Kung Lao's soul. Do some of these moments feel shoehorned in? Yes, but that didn't stop me from pointing at the screen and saying "They did the thing!"
The Cast Is Ridiculously Talented (and Super Hot)
Going in, I didn't expect much from Mortal Kombat. After all, it's really all about the fighters and their fatalities. With each character introduction, I find myself rooting for a new favourite. There were even times I wanted the bad guys to win, but that might just be due to Josh Lawson's charisma and wisecracks as Kano.
When I say the cast is talented, I mean it. Each and everyone absolutely delivered, making even some of the most unrealistic scenarios believable thanks to their fighting skills. Of course, they also looked damn good doing so. I mean, have you SEEN Lewis Tan, Mehcad Brooks, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jessica McNamee, Max Huang, Josh Lawson, and Ludi Lin?
The Characters Come to Life in a Way That Improves Upon the Original Film
CGI has majorly improved since the first Mortal Kombat was released in 1995, allowing for everyone's arcana to truly shine. Plus, Goro doesn't look like a stop-motion disaster now. There have also been 18 games since the first adaptation which means there's much more material to work with when it comes to fleshing out the characters' backgrounds. Sure, Mortal Kombat 2021 doesn't delve extremely deep into anyone's origins outside of Scorpion and Sub-Zero, but it gives you just enough to become attached.
"If you look at Mortal Kombat's evolution [3] over the decades, [it] has evolved and grown beyond the idea of the tournament," director Simon McQuoid told Variety. Oddly enough, there wasn't a Mortal Kombat tournament in 2021's film. This allowed for the characters to take front and centre while raising the stakes ahead of a potential sequel. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for at least 50 more sequels to explore every part of the game's lore in movie form.