On revisiting the 2021 version of Mortal Kombat (which we did), it becomes apparent just how much of a mess it was. There’s a shit-ton of overdubbing when characters have their faces out of shot, which allows for hilariously hasty chunks of exposition being spouted when jaws aren’t moving. There are also several baffling narrative decisions, including the focus on the charisma-free, non-canon character (Cole Young), who was a devoted family man with the amazing ability to… err… grow chest armour. Time was given to minor supporting game characters, and major combatants were missing. What stuck in most fans’ throats, though, was the lack of an actual fighting tournament, making the whole thing feel like a prequel. So, if that was the warm-up, this should be the main event, right? Of course, none of that is going to mean anything to you if you're not familiar with the game franchise or the movie adaptations. Especially if you don’t know your shadow kick from your crotch punch. If that’s the case, just be aware that this follow-up probably isn’t going to be your cup of tea. Although open-minded action fans who like blood and swearing will also get a “kick” out of the proceedings. Pretty much all the surviving (and some of the “dead”) characters return for the sequel, all being played by the same actors, which is a welcome detail. As does the original director, Simon McQuoid. New additions include Karl Urban and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina actresses Adeline Rudolph and Tati Gabrielle, in a very packed cast. As it’s just got a major global release, playing in UK and US screens at the same time, it’s time to “get over here” and see just how much of a “flawless victory” this really is.

 

The pre-credits sequence sets up the premise (if you haven’t seen the first film, that is) of a multi-dimensional conquest being undertaken by warlord Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford). His sovereignty is gained through a series of one-on-one fights rather than armies bombing the crap out of each other, because this is the will of the Elder Gods… or something. He gains control of Edenia by killing the King in front of his daughter Kitana (played in adult years by Rudolph). Years later, the Earth realm (i.e., our dimension) is threatened by Shao Kahn, as partially covered in the first film. So, our world's destined defenders must participate in one last tournament. Washed-up action star Johnny Cage (Urban) is hastily recruited by Earth’s protector Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano) and ex-army badass Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee). But he is overawed by the predicament, manifests no “super-powers”, and would prefer to lie low. That’s not an option, though, as Shao Kahn finds the cinematic version of a gaming cheat code and becomes all-powerful, meaning that the Earthrealmers must band together to save… well, everyone.

 

Despite its shortcomings, the first Mortal Kombat gained a lot of goodwill and attention from fans for several reasons. It stayed true to its gory videogame roots, with plenty of nods to lore and the occasional “fatality”. It also nailed some of the primary characters, with both McNamee and Mehcad Brooks being perfect onscreen representations of Sonya Blade and Jax. Plenty of respect was afforded to the complicated histories of the Ninja clans and the personas of Sub-Zero and Scorpion. Fortunately, MKII doubles down on all that and adds in much more faithful lore, including an actual focus on a fighting tournament. Is it an elevated work of art? No. Will it convert casual viewers? Probably not. But most importantly, it will “speak to the fans” and doesn’t trample all over the iconography that has been embraced by gamers or those devotees of the earlier film(s). Suffice to say that you’re not going to remember much about the “plot” the day after seeing it, although some of the one-liners are worth memorising for use on your spouse or buddies. This is a fun bit of cinematic chewing gum that’ll keep you entertained as it assaults your eyeballs with flailing limbs and CG viscera, whilst you appreciate the attention to detail (in a visual sense anyway) if you’re familiar with the source material. There is nothing more ambitious beyond that here, and nor should there be.  

 

The pace does flag occasionally, usually during non-fighty shenanigans, and the plot is pure go-to-A-to-do-B without much embellishment. Original reactions had the community predicting a blow-em-out-the-water upgrade over the 2021 film, and to be fair, it is much better. But not perhaps by the lengths that were expected. It has a larger scale, more fights, and of course, Mr Urban. It still keeps that generally serious tone and tries for pathos at various points. However, it really shines when it directly reflects the games that inspired it. Honestly, some matches (Shao Kahn Vs Cole Young and Liu Kang Vs Kung Lao) are genuinely jaw-dropping in the way they have been converted to screen. Complete with perfect recreations of game backdrops and with the authentic martial arts moves mirroring those in the games, whilst still forwarding the narrative. Not bad. Other “chef’s kiss moments” include the use of Kitana’s fan blades, Bi-Han’s shadow teleportation, and much more. It’s hard to think that those elements could be shown on the screen in any better capacity.

 

But the way in which the tone shifts between serious (Katana’s story arc) and preposterous (Cage’s arc) sometimes fumbles the ball. The studio wisely realised that the character of Kano (Josh Lawson, killed by a gnome in the first film!) was needed back and they quickly sorted that out. Lawson pretty much steals the film (again), almost swiping it away from Urban in key moments. You have to love the treacherous mercenary spitting out lines like: “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice, you silver-skinned dildo!” in a broad Aussie accent. As expected, Urban also gets his hand in by congratulating Raiden on his “Big Trouble in Little China” cosplay or moaning that the tournament is “Squid Game” and “Harry Potter”-shit. All very meta and funny, and it works well with the OTT “fatalities” that litter the arenas. Squished heads, gutted bodies, sliced torsos, and the piece de resistance saved for the final battle. It earns its 15/R rating, that’s for sure. Not to mention the F and C-bombs from Lawson and Urban. Infantile and mature at the same time, but in a good way.

 

This tongue-in-cheek approach works very well, especially with some of the gaming references. There’s actually a “Life Bar” left hovering in the air during the tournament set pieces that’s confidently placed there without overtly winking at the audience. Game creator Ed Boon turns up as a bartender. One particular character even enters a “dizzy” state at the end of a fight, prompting the iconic “Finish Him” command for a fatality from Shao Kahn. Lovely stuff. These aesthetics are used incredibly well, as they high-five the fans but don’t isolate the general audience or pull them out of the story. That’s how a video game film should work. Sure, the dialogue is mostly perfunctory and in a packed roster, some of the key characters barely appear, let alone make a significant contribution of any sort. Step forward, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. Shang Tsung doesn’t even shapeshift once ferchrissakes! But at least it spends time on the stuff that supplies the meat of the brand, even if the Kitana storyline is pretty cheesy and predictable. Incidentally, the child actress (Sophia Xu) who plays Young Kitana does some amazing work in very short screen time. Bet nobody had that on their Mortal Kombat bingo card!

 

Prominent locations and special effects are mostly pretty good and do a fine job of replicating familiar locations for gamers. The sequences involving the portal and the deadly movements of Kung Lao’s hat are especially good. Having said that, some of the SFX do look shonky at times. Johnny Cage’s tumble down a precipice looks like it was cobbled together at the last minute on a laptop. Baraka has so many teeth that he just looks goofy, and you can’t help but suppress a snigger every time he talks, as you worry that he might bite his own face off! But nobody is going to pay for a ticket for this and then expect the laws of physics to be obeyed or photo-realism to be the minimum benchmark.

 

Suffice to say, you’ve probably only read this far if you have a modicum of interest in this franchise (movie or game). People who couldn’t give less of a toss about these characters or how close it is to their pixelated malarkey won’t have made it past the second paragraph. That’s fine. And even if you are a fan, this isn’t a gaming film that’s going to change the perception that many people have of the sub-genre. But it’s disposable fun that stays true to its roots, with one foot each in the mature/immature bracket. It is better than the earlier film, and that’s the most important thing for sequels like this. Enjoy it for what it is. In fact, if you’re an MK fan, consider adding another half-a-star to the rating. After the success of the Mario films and the potential fanbase for this fighty blood-spiller, it’ll be interesting to see the box office takings for this one. After all, the last game had Ghostface as a playable character, so they know their audience!