Mortal Kombat (2021)
Faithful to the game’s brutality, but the story could have focused on its iconic fighters.
Official Trailer
Watch the original Warner Bros. trailer and revisit the action, fighters and signature powers that made this adaptation a spectacle.
Watch on YouTube →
Film:
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Director:
Simon McQuoid
US release:
April 16, 2021
Genre:
Action · Fantasy · Martial Arts
Rated:
R
MOVIE IMAGES
THE REVIEW
I was an avid Mortal Kombat player on my Super Nintendo. I bought game books, learned codes, and spent hours trying to unlock characters. Watching the 2021 movie brought back that excitement of discovering what each fighter could do.
The graphics were phenomenal. Sub-Zero’s ice powers and Scorpion’s fire looked incredible on screen, and both characters felt as powerful as I remembered them. Most people I played against chose one of those two, so seeing their rivalry brought to life was a highlight. I also loved the brutality. The hard-hitting fights and fatalities embodied what Mortal Kombat truly was to me.
My biggest disappointment was the story’s focus on Cole Young, Scorpion’s descendant. I would have much preferred a movie centered on the main characters I grew up playing. Scorpion was one of the best parts of the film, which made me wish he had more screen time.
Overall, Mortal Kombat gave me the graphics, power, and brutality I wanted from a movie based on the game. With its original fighters at the center of the story, it could have been even better.
WWLTP Movie Scorecard
Visually Spectacular. Classic Mortal Kombat Brutality.
The film delivers the powers, combat and fatalities that Ronald remembers from the games. His biggest reservation is the decision to build the story around Cole Young instead of giving the original fighters center stage.
WWLTP Joystick Rating: 88 / 100 Joysticks