A Review of Mortal Kombat by Nick Olszyk
Distribution Service: Theatrical and HBOmax
Year: 2021
MPAA Rating, R
CNS Rating, O
Reel Rating, Three Reels
When
Mortal Kombat premiered in 1992, its excessively graphic violence caused
so much controversary it prompted the video game industry to create a rating
system like the MPAA for films thirty years prior. This also, of course, had
the secondary effect of making the game massively popular and jump starting a
successful gaming franchise. A motion picture followed three years later that only an MST3K fan could
love. Now comes the inevitable 21st century reboot with better
special effects, and it largely achieves what it aspires. At least, that’s
what I’ve been told. I never played the game.
The
mythology of the series is bizarre, so buckle your seat belts. There are innumerous
realms throughout the Universe ruled by a series of ancient gods. Every few
thousand years, a grand tournament called Mortal Kombat is held where champions
from each realm compete for dominance. The evil Outerrealm, led by the soul
sucking Shang Tsung (Chin Han), has won the nine last tournaments. If they win
a tenth against our realm, they will invade and control it forever. Unwilling
to take any risks, Shang sends his various henchmen, including a lizard-man and
a bat-woman, to kill all the champions before they can even compete. Lord
Raiden (Tadanobu Asano), Earth’s protector god and Odin knock-off, gathers the fighters
in safety to prepare for the tournament. Chief among them is Cole (Lewis Tan),
who may fulfill an ancient prophecy and led Earth to victory. Think Fight Club
meets The Lego Movie.
Since
its inception, Mortal Kombat has been criticized for its gore and
violence. Probably the most infamous action involved some characters who would
literally rip the heart out of their opponent to “finish him,” something that
occurs in the film as well. Yet these battles are cartoonishly divorced from
reality. In one scene, a cryokinetic villain stabs pyrokinetic warrior with a
knife, freezes the blood spurt into another knife, then proceeds to stab him
again with his own blood. Tex Avery couldn’t have been sillier. This is a hyperbolic
device used to emphasize the gravity of spiritual warfare. The Bible does this
as well. Many Old Testament baddies like Absalom and Jezebel met especially
gruesome fates. So too, Revelation and other apocalyptic sections use images of
gore, not to mention Paul’s use of stark language in Philippians 3.
What
makes Mortal Kombat really punch, however, is its characters. Many
action directors like Michael Bay and Uwe Boll consider their human performers
as little more than staging grounds for the next explosion, but the most
exciting thrills come when the audience cares what happens to the protagonists.
The Fast and Furious franchise does this exceptionally well, which is
why they are still making billions on their ninth feature. Kombat is filled
with funny, dynamic, and well-rounded characters. Cole understands his mission
but is filled with doubt and anxiety. Sonya (Jessica McNamee) feels overlooked
and struggles to help the team despite not being chosen for the tournament. Then
there’s Kano (Josh Lawson), probably my personal favorite character so far this
year. He’s a foul mouthed Australian with a lower-than-average intelligence but
a wicked sense of humor. Constantly quipping great one-liners, he subtly steals
every scene.
Mortal
Kombat is not for everyone, and certainly not for anyone under 18. The
Catholic News Service rated it “morally offensive,” while its reviewer labeled
it “savage.” I sympathize with his reaction but can’t agree with his
conclusion. There were opportunities where Freshman director Simon McQuoid could
have gone bloodier and meaner but showed remarkable restraint and maturity. I occasionally
winced but never experienced disgust. I enjoy the film despite not having
played the game. My wife was an avid button smasher and squealed with joy
constantly. Either way, Mortal Kombat wins.
Comments
Post a Comment