Film Review: Mortal Kombat [2021] (7/10)

Christian Vallejo
Sep 29
3 min read

Mortal Kombat struggles with pacing, focus, and character development, leading to a film that feels rushed or under explored.

"Mortal Kombat," a 2021 reimagining of the iconic video game franchise, thrusts itself into the world of cinematic adaptations with a blend of high-octane action and loyal homage to its source material. Directed by Simon McQuoid in his feature debut, the film aims to capture the brutal essence and expansive mythology of the games. The screenplay, penned by Greg Russo and Dave Callaham, attempts to balance fan expectations with the demands of a feature film narrative. The cast, led by Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, and Josh Lawson, brings to life a roster of beloved characters, each with their own unique fighting styles and backstories. Set in a universe where Earthrealm and Outworld are on the brink of a cataclysmic conflict, "Mortal Kombat" dives into a story of ancient prophecies, interdimensional combat, and the quest for ultimate power.

STORY (0/2)

The story of "Mortal Kombat" (2021) centers around a new character to the franchise, Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, who finds himself drawn into the ancient tournament of Mortal Kombat. The narrative strives to introduce the uninitiated to this rich universe while satisfying long-time fans with its faithful recreations of characters and lore. Set against a backdrop of impending war between realms, the plot intertwines personal vendettas with the larger fate of the universe. While the story tries to set the stage for epic battles and introduce key elements of the Mortal Kombat lore, it struggles with pacing and character development, leading to moments that feel rushed or under explored. Despite these shortcomings, the film's narrative succeeds in laying the groundwork, albeit it awful, for a potentially larger cinematic universe.

VISUALS (2/2)

On screen, "Mortal Kombat" delivers a feast for action enthusiasts. The film's picture quality and special effects are on par with contemporary standards for high-action cinema. The visual effects shine particularly in the depiction of iconic abilities and fatalities, true to the spirit of the games. The film’s use of CGI is generally effective, creating some stunningly choreographed fight scenes. However, there are moments where the reliance on visual effects over practical effects detracts from the authenticity of the combat. The film's visual style faithfully recreates the game's aesthetic, from the costumes to the fighting arenas, adding to the overall immersive experience, with the exception of Jax’s teeny arms.

SOUND (1/2)

The sound design in "Mortal Kombat" could have played a significant role in enhancing the film’s action-packed sequences. Instead, the balance between the sound effects, dialogue, and music is mostly well-executed, with the film's soundtrack adding an additional layer of intensity to the fight scenes. However, there are instances where the sound mix could be more nuanced, particularly in balancing the film's more dialogue-heavy scenes with its action sequences. The iconic theme from the franchise is effectively used, evoking nostalgia and excitement.

CHARACTER (1/2)

The characters in "Mortal Kombat" are a mixed bag. Lewis Tan’s Cole Young serves as an entry point for audiences but sometimes feels overshadowed by more established characters. Standouts include Josh Lawson's portrayal of Kano, which adds a much-needed dose of humor and charisma. The portrayal of classic characters like Scorpion and Sub-Zero is well-received, with their backstories and motivations adding depth to their on-screen presence. However, some characters suffer from limited screen time and development, leaving them feeling underutilized. The performances vary, with some actors embracing the over-the-top nature of their roles, while others deliver more grounded interpretations.

FACTOR X (2/2)

"Mortal Kombat" (2021) provided one single entertaining experience, its action sequences. Everything else in the film was a failure to feel like anything more than a video game movie cash grab. While the film may not deeply explore its characters or narrative, it succeeds as a visually stimulating action movie. The film's commitment to bringing the game's signature style to the big screen is commendable, but the convoluted story it tries to tell does an awful job of captivating audiences but still lays a very forced it serves as a solid foundation for potential sequels.

In conclusion, "Mortal Kombat" (2021) is a film that largely fails to deliver on its promise of bringing the beloved video game franchise to life with a mediocre story and odd recreations of its characters. It falls short in narrative depth and character development, but it compensates with visually impressive fight scenes and some reverence for its source material. Available on streaming platforms, it's a film that will likely disappoint fans of the franchise and meagerly satisfy those looking for an action-packed cinematic experience.