by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Video game adaptations have a tough go on television and on the big screen. This medium generally doesn’t translate well into a narrative-heavy art form like film or television. Sure, there are games with some impressive narratives, like The Last of Us, which is an impressive series for HBO. But think about earlier gaming. It was a series of levels to beat, fighters to beat, and other things like that. But one fighting game was able to be translated into a campy thrill ride that is a ton of fun even today. Are you ready to test your might? Yes? Queue the techno… MORTAL KOMBAT!
Why does director Paul W.S. Anderson’s adaptation of Mortal Kombat work? It never takes itself seriously. The game is a serious, full of fighting, and is most known for its over-the-top gore and violence. Those fatalities are things of legend. But what worked so well in the mid-‘90s was to take the martial arts seriously, but utilize a campy tone, since there are so many absurd characters. This film is full of quips, and leans heavily into the fact that the concept is so ridiculous. Most of the characters are chewing scenery and winking at the camera, and that makes it fun. If this was an overly serious fighting film from the ‘90s, it might not feel as fun and timeless as it does. It is certainly not a work by Scorsese, or Welles, or Kurosawa, but it has exactly what it needed to be a great time.
But why was this so panned by people at the time of release? Well… it is just something that looks like critics are going to hate it. That is no excuse for making a bad movie, but unless you are tuned in to the correct tone, Mortal Kombat is just going to come off as silly and stupid. But here is the thing: It is stupid, and it knows it. Not only does it know it, but it also leans into it. Anderson lets the characters throw around silly, quippy dialogue, while inhabiting a narrative that is nothing more than a series of battles to save the world. Like many classic martial arts films (including Enter the Dragon), Mortal Kombat leans into the fighting and the memorable characters. This combo works so well.
From a character standpoint, who are the ones who make the film so worthwhile? Overall, some of the performances are not the strongest. Many actors don’t get much to do outside of their physical stunts. One honorable mention is Kevin Michael Richardson who lends his deep resonant voice to Goro. This giant puppet character (not of a person) is so great. Practical effects Goro will always be better than the CGI one we got in the latest film. But there are three MVPs in this film, actors who just stand out amongst the rest. On paper, Christopher Lambert is such a problematic and terrible choice for Lord Raiden. But the character we get (who is not a game accurate version) is an absolute blast. Lambert has so much fun with his intense and whispery line delivery. His little laughs and smirks are just so delightful. Then there is the big bad himself… Shang Tsung portrayed Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. He spouts a lot of character names and catchphrases from the game, but his presence and delivery are just so great. The way he exclaims, “Your soul is mine!” is everything. But it is Australian treasure Trevor Goddard who makes Kano 10 times better than he was in the games. His absurd quips and sliminess are the best part of the movie.
But what is really the best part of the film? The action. This is Mortal Kombat, mind you. Martial arts are so exciting, and make for incredible sequences that feel right out of the game. The Johnny Cage versus Scorpion battle is amazing. Scorpion yelling his catchphrase, “GET OVER HERE!” which reveals his fire-breathing skeleton head, and shooting his reptilian pal from his hand, are so much fun and exciting. The way that Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Reptile move is so impressive, as each of performer is an expert of their craft. For a film that is basically a mix of techno music, thrilling action, and crazy characters, Mortal Kombat gets it.
Is Mortal Kombat a perfect film? No. You can see the stiff acting, the bad CGI, and overly simple plot and dialogue. But what is it trying to be? A campy and strange exercise in combat fighting and supernatural characters who go toe-to-toe for the fate of the world. Anderson might have had a terrible track record in his career, but at least he found the right balance for this campy and absurd ride. But if you want to find a truly terrible adaptation of Mortal Kombat on the big screen, look no further than Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. That film is a piece of…
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