Mortal Kombat II shouldn’t work, but it does so by an old school balls-to-the-wall style that defies expectations. The 1995 adaptation of the legendary video game may be a bit dated, but it was chock full of good fights and retro-fun. In 2021, New Line Cinema unleashed a new version that, unfortunately, fell prey to the Covid-19 timeline. The reboot did not receive a huge theatrical run, and simultaneously released on streaming; a move that would cut into its box office take during a time when audiences were still skittish about returning to theaters. Too much CGI drowned a lot of the action, but the film was still enjoyable. Five years later comes the sequel; a film that is bigger, bloodier, and a lot more fun than its predecessor.

Mortal Kombat II wastes not a minute in getting to the violent showdowns. King Jerrod of Edenia (Desmond Chiam) prepares to battle Outworld’s emperor, Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford), the coolest villain in the world of Mortal Kombat. As Shao Kahn literally destroys Jerrod, he takes over his kingdom, his wife, and his young daughter Princess Kitana.

Fast forward years in advance, the now grownPrincess Kitana (Adeline Rudolph), and her handmaiden/bodyguard/friend, Jade (Tati Gabrielle), prepare for the titular tournament. We are also introduced to fan favorite, Johnny Cage (an absolutely delightful Karl Urban). Raiden (Asano Tadanobu) and Sonya Blade (Jessica Mcnamee) come to a retro-convention to recruit Cage to fight, as it is down to the wire for humanity.

The film has fun with Cage’s introduction. We see a VHS copy of one of the fight scenes from his biggest 90s action film, Uncaged Fury. The clever moment is complete with tracking issues, silly dialogue, and obvious stunt doubles. Johnny Cage is an actor and former martial artist who lets the stunt teams do all of the heavy lifting.

Urban has a great time playing the washed-up, woe-is-me, actor who longs for the glory days of action movies. Cage’s initial reluctance allows the actor some funny moments, while actually making a real character out of what could have been a one-note portrayal. The actor and his character are great fun. 

Johnny Cage is a replacement for Kung Lao (Max Huang), who fans know will return in some form. Mortal Kombat II also brings in Quan Chi (Damon Herriman). The character got the shaft by being left out of the 2021 film and having his lore re-written. As for our “returning champions” the cast from the first film returns and each one is used to terrifically entertaining effect.

Ludi Lin returns as Lui Kang, as do Mechad Brooks as Jax and Louis Tan as Cole. Each one gets their moment to prove their worth in the arena, as the film wastes no time getting to the tournament.

The great (unsung) modern character actor Damon Herriman makes a nice appearance as the necromancer, Quan Chi. With makeup that makes him resemble the demon from Sinister, Herriman gives the character an evil presence while managing a few chuckles.

Lest anyone forget, Mortal Kombat is a fighting game. You want backstories? Watch the 2021 movie. This time, director Simon McQuoid and screenwriter Jeremy Slater tell their audience, “This one is for the fights.”, and fights we get. The 1995 version failed to take advantage of the carnage found in the video game and opted for a PG-13 array of violence. Mortal Kombat II laughs at such a rating. While the fights aren’t anywhere near the choreographed mastery of the Shaw Brothers Kung-Fu pictures, this film’s battles are great fun, while the R rating is gleefully earned. Hammers crush skulls, hats with rims made of sawblades slice flesh, and blood splatters all over the screen in almost every moment. The “finishes” in this sequel will have fans cheering. All that was missing was the booming voice declaring, “Flawless Victory!”

With superior Production Design from Yôhei Taneda complimented by Stephen F. Windon’s camerawork, the film has a cool look that breathes cinematic life into some of the worlds found within the video game. This one looks really good on screen, as the visual palettes compliment the superior fight sequences that exist within them.

Mortal Kombat II won’t win any acting or screenplay awards and it doesn’t set out to make such a mark. This is a blast of a video game adaptation that excels as a cartoonishly mystical, martial arts, action film.

Buy your ticket. Grab your bucket of popcorn and a big soda. Recline your seat and settle in for a fun ride. The phrase “popcorn movie” was made for films such as this one.

Mortal Kombat II
Written by Jeremy Slater
Directed by Simon McQuoid
Starring Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, Chin Han, Asano Tadanobu, Sanada Hiroyuki
R, 114 Minutes, New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster, Warner Brothers Pictures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDMIUwMO67I