2 out of 5 stars
Mortal Kombat looks to reboot the franchise based on the acclaimed video game series of the same name. With a mixture of fantasy, magic and violent battles, this series will need to rely on advanced CGI to take this story to the next bloodthirsty level. This film is for the fans who desire to see their favourite warriors destroy the villainous horde of Shang Tsung (Chin Han) on the big screen.
As the film opens on the picturesque 17th-century Japanese home of Hanzo Hasashi (Hiroyuki Sanada), it does not take long to know what drives this viciously violent storyline. To watch Sub-zero or Bi-Han (Joe Taslim) and his rival battle to the death sets the stage for the rest of the film. After an intense fight, Hasashi is sent to hell and Bi-Han murders his family. All except for the Japanese assassin's newly born child who is swept away to the Netherrealm by Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano), it is at this moment that audiences are sent to the modern era. Shang Tsung hopes to prepare for the deathmatch tournaments known as Mortal Kombat. He hopes to take over Earthrealm by defeating their last champions.
Earth’s last chance is left to the unaware former MMA champion, Cole Young (Lewis Tan), who is made aware of his role after being attacked by Bi-Han. At the same time, he eats a meal with his family and must run from a barrage of devastating snowballs. He is then quickly educated on what he must do to train for the great battle by one of Outworld's champions, Special Forces' Major Jackson "Jax" Briggs (Mehcad Brooks) and his partner, Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee). Who must rely on the aid of the less than trustworthy champion, Kano (Josh Lawson), to find the way to the Netherrealm to prepare for the final fight.
Suppose you can follow this description and understand all of the players. In that case, you are either a Mortal Kombat superfan or are provided in the gamer's vernacular. What seems to be a straightforward premise becomes so convoluted that it is difficult to see who is on what side. Which is not helped by a less-than-charismatic lead who is overshadowed by his support crew. Cole Young may have been hired for his looks and fighting abilities, but it is difficult to cheer for him when he is so forgettable. Despite the outstanding performance of Josh Lawson, who ad-libbed most of his lines, there is little to celebrate about the dialogue or the storyline.
Most fans would tell you that they are not there for the script; they are there to see these fantastic warriors do battle. If this is what is desired from this film, then the creators of Mortal Kombat have delivered. The amount of blood and gore is limitless, between creatures being disembowelled, cut in half, and decapitated which is perfect for those seeking this form of entertainment. This project is for the followers of this disturbing realm of immortality and pain. A film that only answers the world’s difficulties through violent means and hopelessness.
Reel Dialogue: What should I put before my eyes?
Revenge, violence, justice, the value of human life, language... The opportunities for consideration are plentiful in Mortal Kombat. Trying not to 'out' myself as a prude, the question that needs to be asked: "What should we put in front of our eyes for the sake of entertainment?" This film rips open the wound and stomps on the heart of those that represent the desire to enjoy something that screams out for moral objection.
Psalm 101:3 says, "I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar."
When filmmakers add specific components of writing or imagery for realism or for the sake of artistic license, there may be an excuse on their part, but where does the accountability come down to the viewer? Should I be putting graphic violence, nudity and crude language before my eyes and into my mind? The answer seems pretty obvious, but how would you answer that question? Something to consider before seeing Mortal Kombat.
