Mortal Kombat II (2026)
The latest release is a big improvement, but still has to fight its way out of the first film’s story problems.
One of many criticisms thrown at Simon McQuoid’s Mortal Kombat (2021) was aimed at the film’s clunky story that was - to be kind - confusing in its approach. Despite over 100 characters the franchise has introduced since its release, the director still made the peculiar decision to introduce a new fighter, Cole Young. For admirers of the original computer-game series, and Paul W.S. Anderson’s 1995 Mortal Kombat, it felt closer to later versions of the game rather than leaning into nostalgia. It played to a niche within a niche.
Mortal Kombat II moves closer to its original fan-pleasing roots with Ed Boon - one of the co-creators of the original game (and the voice of Scorpion’s iconic “Get over here!” tagline) - involved in the production of the film. McQuoid has clearly listened to the feedback. The writing team from the first instalment have been deemed surplus to requirements and replaced with Jeremy Slater, who had the unenviable task of dealing with large plot holes whilst delivering a screenplay that clearly needs to serve an audience watching the series for the first time.
In particular, Cole Young (Lewis Tan) is now a bit-part fighter, despite being one of the main protagonists in the 2021 version. His lineage story to Scorpion (one of the game’s most iconic fighters) and intended for the audience to connect with Cole, is the major casualty of the new script. The need to remedy poor writing leads to a rushed first act that still feels wonky. This isn’t a fatal blow for the viewer but much of the undoing is unavoidable.
The introduction of Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) - one of Mortal Kombat’s superstars - is hurried but Cage’s character progression as a washed-up 80s actor works well, with his transformation unfolding in a dusty setting that looks conspicuously like something from Mad Max. But the biggest win is the introduction of Kitana (Adeline Rudolph) as a fighter who’s been adopted by Outworld’s powerful leader, Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford). Kitana is the first character in McQuoid’s series with an emotional connection that’s formed with the audience beyond mere clichés and schlocky lines (although the pugnacious character, Kano - played again by Josh Lawson - continues to offer laughs with his quips).
The story is far from perfect but this version is a big upgrade. Presumably, Boon’s influence has helped the story get to a place where the Mortal Kombat tournament - required to save Earthrealm from Outworld - can take place with some modicum of jeopardy.
Once the tournament finally begins, there’s a clear aim to stay true to the Mortal Kombat II game with fights contested in arenas like dungeons swimming with green acid pools and Raiden’s Temple, a venue built for the thunder god. The fighting action is entertaining and well-choreographed with impressive finishing moves (sufficient blood, guts and gore are used), all playing against techno music and dramatic sound design that is similar to the game. Yet, the various attempts to add subplots to the fights are shallow. A contest between Liu Kang (Ludi Lin) and Kung Lao (Max Huang) flirts with emotional intensity between close friends but the story hasn’t earned the right for audiences to accept the feeling.
Mortal Kombat II provides the necessary elements to please the current fanbase, whilst dealing a nostalgia punch for those who grew up with the computer game in the 90s. The story tees up a potential third instalment and with a reboot of Street Fighter being released later in the year, there is clearly an appetite for fighting-game reboots. Any conversation about a third movie needs to focus on staying closer to the game’s identity. Yet it’s hard to imagine general viewers getting overexcited about this release, especially if the first instalment required mercy.
The inclusion of Kitana felt handled nicely albeit a little lost in the rushed inclusion of a reluctance Johnny Cage, albeit lifted by the magnificence of Karl Urban. Good fun but at least it leaned into just giving us some excellent fights. Interested to see how Street Fighter turns out... if the trailer is anything to go by it looks like its just gone full blown silliness and fun which may just be what it needs to be.
I want to see the 3rd movie stay close to the game's identity like you stated and for Slater to feel the need to write more compelling relationships. The fate of Earth realm relies on these characters and at times the dialogue just read more sitcom comedy. Sonya needs to smack the hell out of Johnny Cage a few times because he isn't taking it seriously, more intensity from everyone in the next installment would give it more of the original films essence. I really loved Adeline Rudolph's performance as Kitana.
Let the fight scenes have the outrageous, goofy fatalities to bring in the ridiculousness Slater said he wanted to capture. Make the jokes funnier. I thought the movie was visually stunning. We have all this wonderful technology to build fantastical worlds, but I fear we are losing fantastical writers. I wanted more blood & gore. I think Street Fighter will get better reception. It seems to be more in line with the type of film Slater described to want to write, but he had to fill the plot holes and try to wrap up in a rushed manner Cole. I think Cole could have been a good device to set up more of Johnny Cage’s backstory. Like he got into MMA because he watched his films, he gets upset when Johnny doesn't take it seriously, etc. They could have trained together for a scene and did some outrageous movies/silly lines. All in all, I think we are on a similar page about the film, I just leaned on the negatives in my review.
Thanks for giving me more perspective and giving me a frame to enjoy the film more.