In today’s world of IP expectation overload (as of this writing, the trailer for Avengers: Doomsday is still not public), the reboot of Mortal Kombat has definitely gotten less fanfare in comparison, and I am glad for it.
While not as popular as the aforementioned MCU or the Star Wars universe, there are still plenty of fans for the MK verse (not sure if that is the proper term), including myself. Promise was shown after the 2021 reboot, leading to this sequel, which is everything a fan could truly hope for.
While the first film in the reboot focused mainly on Cole Young (Lewis Tan), he is sidelined for two newbies (yet familiar franchise faces). The first is Kitana (Adeline Rudolph), who follows the character arc she had in the game as her father is killed by the truly ruthless Shao Kahn (six-foot-eight Martyn Ford), who later adopts her. After winning nine tournaments in a row, Khan is one win away from taking over the Earthrealm.
At the same time (as was hinted at at the end of the first film), former 90s action star Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) is nothing short of a has-been. Thankfully, it is not long before he is approached by Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano) and Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee) to join them and the other fighters of Earth to defend against Kahn. Those others include Cole Young, Jax (Mehcad Brooks), and, of course, Liu Kang (Ludi Lin).
I will do what I can not to spoil as much as to what other characters appear, but the trailer did at least hint at some debuts for the likes of Baraka (CJ Bloomfield) and Jade (Tati Gabrielle), plus the returns of Kung Lau (Max Huang), Shang Tsung (Chin Han), and Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada).
Parents, if you are (for some reason) okay with your kids seeing this amount of violence (which the film does not shy away from at all) mixed in with more than enough swearing (F bombs and all), then don’t say I did not warn you (at least there is no sexual content).
Returning director Simon McQuoid and company succeed here where movies like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie failed by focusing more on story (such as it is) over easter eggs and world-building. Heck, there is even a little bit of character development to go around. Without spoiling, bringing back the scene stealer from the first film was obviously a plus.
As of now, there is a third film in development, and with more than enough characters yet to be introduced (or resurrected), this franchise is one I am still on board with.
Fatalities and all.
Overall:
Nothing else to say 