“Mortal Kombat is a reasonable franchise starter. It may not be as memorable as its predecessor, but it deserves another round.” SDS, 2021
Having now seen another round in Mortal Kombat II, I don’t think I need a third.
It’s been five years since the reboot. Is this really the best they could do?
I always try to meet films on what they’re trying to do and judge them accordingly. But whilst this sequel does a few decent things (mainly Kano and a couple of good fights), it also manages to feel confusing and wasteful again.
The reboot had issues, mainly of them self-inflicted. Focusing on a new character before the actual tournament is a approach fundamental that can’t be changed. So I understand the sequel wanting to make some adjustments. But I don’t recall any mention of the dragon mark, or of arcana, or Goro. I could go on. But it’s clear to me that MK2 doesn’t care about MK.
This leads to the sequel introducing another audience surrogate in Johnny Cage. He should have been there originally, and he shouldn’t have been played by Karl Urban. He does his best and seems game, but I had my concerns before seeing the film and post watch he just isn’t Cage to me. Even then, the story is more Kitana’s ultimately. When the film doesn’t seem to care about it’s prequel or it’s finer details it doesn’t sit well.
I can’t escape a feeling that each cast member was on set for about a fortnight and then met up for the press tour. They arrived, learnt some choreography, and then met up on Buzzfeed. I have watched a number of these videos, which has shown me a couple of things. One, the actress playing Jade is the only one who really knows about MK apart from Ludi Lin (Liu Kang). Two, why didn’t they dub Martyn Ford. Great physicality for Shao Khan but not the voice.
Final point, and I hate to say this. But Scorpion and Sub-Zero shouldn’t be in this film. Commit to their storyline or don’t. All it does it kill the pacing and feel out of place. Another frustration.
You know those YouTube videos where they put together all the cutscenes? There are loads for the MK games. I think I’d rather watch one of those.
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