What I expected and wanted from a Mortal Kombat movie: a decent story that provides for graphic fights to the death. What I got from the reboot of the Mortal Kombat movie: a decent story that provides for graphic fights to the death.
Sometimes a B-movie transcends its pulpy tropes and conventions and becomes something more. That's not what's happened here. What this film does is recreate the feel of the play of this popular game, from the moves to the visuals, but in a cinematic narrative format. It does so better than the earlier movie attempts. It is just what it needs to be, and nothing more. It is short and satisfying. You'll groan at the hits and cheer at the victories. That's what we're buying our tickets for.
The film captures the nature of the characters and manages to bring them vibrant life. Sure the characters are one dimensional and the film does nothing to expand that. But they are all this story requires.
So yes, sure, I believe any property has the potential to speak more profoundly to the human experience, can capture something honest and real in its narrative. But it's okay for some stories just to be simple, fun, and rather meaningless. Maybe no one is screaming for a Mortal Kombat movie to explore the existential pain of loss and death, sacrifice and honour. Maybe all we want is the "finish him."
And we get that here.
Mortal Kombat
Starring: Lewis Tan, Joe Taslim, Jessica McNamee, Joss Lawson, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Tadanobu Asano, Chin Han, Hiroyuki Sanada
Director: Simon McQuoid
Writers: Greg Russo, Dave Callaham
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