MORTAL KOMBAT II - - Fan Service Done Right

Review by Steve Barton II

With the previous installment releasing to mixed reviews, Mortal Kombat 2 had to make some adjustments if they wanted to win back the soured fans and critics alike. Mortal Kombat as a video game series is one of the most successful fighting franchises in history, but the films are the opposite side of the coin. The first film had moderate success back in 1995 critically and financially, but Mortal Kombat: Annihilation was so horrible in every way that it ended the film franchise until 2021! The coronavirus pandemic unfortunately played a major role in the box office for the 2021 reboot of the franchise, but it was also released on HBO MAX. Fans and critics liked the gore and fan service, but that’s about it. After five grueling years, Mortal Kombat II picks up right after the last movie with Shao Kahn as the emperor of the Outworld challenging Earth’s best fighters to a tournament to defend their realm. To fill out their team, Sonya Blade and Raiden recruit the renowned martial artist and action star Johnny Cage. 


The filmmaking team behind Mortal Kombat II did the unthinkable and listened to the criticism from the first. Many people didn’t care for Lewis Tan’s character, Cole Young as the main character and his screen time was significantly reduced. Instead, they let Karl Urban eat up the screen and portray Johnny Cage in spectacular fashion! While the fan campaign behind The Miz from WWE was convincing, Karl Urban nails the sarcastic humor and tough guy persona from his experience as The Butcher and Judge Dredd for Johnny. The filmmakers also must’ve dug deeper into the lore of Mortal Kombat because they did tons of fan service from characters, settings, gnarly deaths and the familiar iconic tune that every fan knows. When the Mortal Kombat theme hits those theater speakers in Dolby Atmos, your heartbeat will start pumping to the beat and you’ll be ready to FIGHT!

With Mortal Kombat being such a fantastical world, they’re forced to create a lot of the world with digital effects and imagination. Major props to the entire cast for the fight choreography and miming the motions of blasting someone with a weapon or decapitating their opponents and making it look seamless when the effects are added in the end. With the invention of virtual production walls, it helps the performers put themselves in the fictional environment and gives the added authenticity that they desperately needed. The action is cut to the incredible soundtrack from Benjamin Wallfisch, adding to the engrossing tension and elevating the great sound design.


In the end, Mortal Kombat II improves on the first film in every way. Simon McQuoid listened to the fans and teamed up with Jermey Slater to create the world that fans have been itching to see since 1992. The technological advancements have made this mystical world identical to the games and the actors having fun bring these icons to life with their cheese-drenched dialogue and incredible costumes. If you enjoy gory action, silly dialogue and incredibly creative visuals and sound design, Mortal Kombat II awaits you on the big screen. 


Mortal Kombat II begins the fight in theaters starting May 8th!


Rating: 3.5/5