Thanks to the notorious brilliance of Annihilation (or more appropriately Abomination), live action has been dormant since 1997.
Does Simon McQuoid's reboot justify the bloody wait?
Lewis Tan - Cole Young
Jessica McNamee - Sonya Blade
Josh Lawson - Kano
Tadanobu Asano - Lord Raiden
Mehcad Brooks - Jax
Ludi Lin - Liu Kang
Chin Han - Shang Tsung
Joe Taslim - Bi-Han/Sub-Zero
Hiroyuki Sanada - Hanzo/Scorpion
Summary
Hanzo Hasashi Compound
Japan 1617
Bi-Han and his crew of Lin Kuei assassins destroy rival clan the Shirai Ryu. Although Hanzo manages to dispatch invading enemy, he's ultimately defeated by Bi-Han.
Jumping to present day, soul-eating sorcerer Shang Tsung becomes aware of an ancient prophecy of Hanzo's blood creating a new generation of Earthrealm champions (identified by a dragon marking) and sends Bi-Han (now Sub-Zero), to kill all concerned before the next Mortal Kombat tournament begins.
Original character Cole Young is one such target and along with Kano and Sonya, travel to Lord Raiden's temple where Liu Kang tells them they must unlock their special moves, err 'arcana'.
Who knows, shit might come in handy?
Flawed victory
Considering director was only known for television commercials, it's impressive how result ticks all the boxes.
Violence, gore, fights aplenty, nice special effects and most importantly - FATALITIES.
Kano removes Reptile's heart (klassic) and eye laser is like MK 3.
Kung Lao uses deadly hat to split Nitara literally in two (MK 9).
Sonya blows a hole in Mileena (a variation of MK 11);
Jax hand claps Reiko's head (MK II), but due to bionic arms, this is more accurate to MK 4.
Liu Kang transforms into a huge dragon and bites Kabal (MK 9).
Shang Tsung sucks Lao's soul (MK II).
Without revealing skull, Hanzo (now Scorpion) warms up Sub-Zero with fiery breath (MK9).
Unfortunately, backgrounds are not utilised.
Come on, we needed a pit death.
Kang attacks Kabal with iconic bicycle kick (MK II), Scorpion exclaims 'Get Over Here' and principle of Cole's arm blades are very similar to Baraka.
Dialogue highlights include:
Jax informs that Cole took MMA belt from Eddie Tobias. Name combines franchise's creators 'Ed' Boon and John 'Tobias'.
Lao stating 'Test your might' refs how original introduced bonus stages.
Sonya's military status (Special Forces) could be an obscure nod to infamous first-person bomb.
Ignoring underdeveloped characters, numerous issues exist.
Sekiro-esque opening sequence teases a very serious affair, but soon slices relentless cheese.
Until whoever is 'finished', fights are extremely tame and plagued by dodgy editing.
The Raid this definitely isn't.
Each to their own, but I found Lawson's fuck happy Kano unfunny and irritating.
However, Taslim and Sanada are outstanding.
Tsung escaping and Cole departing for Hollywood to find Johnny Cage sets up multiple sequels, but future is down to the Elder Gods.
I'm keeping my Friendships, Brutalities, Animalities, Multalities and Babalities crossed.
