{"id":1001,"date":"2021-05-28T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-28T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-mortal-kombat-2021\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T23:56:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T22:56:57","slug":"review-mortal-kombat-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-mortal-kombat-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Mortal Kombat (2021)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mortal Kombat<\/a><\/strong> debuted as an arcade beat’em-up<\/strong> in 1992. Nearly three decades later, the franchise includes eleven games<\/a> and several film adaptations. The 1995 film, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson<\/strong> (Monster Hunter<\/a>) and starring Christopher Lambert<\/strong>, remains the most recognizable. While criticized for its deviations from the source material, it still provided reasonably entertaining action. Now, 26 years later, a remake (or reboot) has arrived, prompting an evaluation of this new interpretation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mortal<\/a>
Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cole Young (Lewis Tan)<\/strong>, an MMA fighter, participates in lower-tier matches to support his family. Unbeknownst to him, he is a descendant of a mystical warrior destined to protect the world from evil. He is approached by Jax (Mehcad Brooks)<\/strong>, a soldier who guides him to Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee)<\/strong>. Together, they embark on a quest to understand the significance of Mortal Kombat<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The narrative in Mortal Kombat<\/em> is remarkably simplistic. Regrettably, the filmmakers extend it to a runtime of one hour and fifty minutes. A more concise presentation would have significantly benefited the film. Furthermore, Lewis Tan’s portrayal of Cole lacks a certain compelling quality. His performance feels somewhat lackluster, making it difficult to fully invest in his character’s journey. In contrast, Jessica McNamee delivers a strong performance as Sonya Blade, arguably making her a more engaging protagonist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sub-Zero<\/a>
Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mortal Kombat<\/em> marks the feature film directorial debut for Simon McQuoid<\/strong>, whose previous experience lies primarily in commercial direction. This inexperience is evident in the film’s execution. Despite its visual style and technical polish, the direction lacks a certain finesse. Attempts at humor often feel awkward, and the pacing is inconsistent. The plot developments are predictable, unfolding well in advance of the characters’ realizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortal Kombat<\/em> offers a high degree of gore and numerous references to the game series, which should satisfy dedicated fans. The action sequences are well-executed and visually impressive, and the special effects are noteworthy. The film is most enjoyable when viewed as a spectacle, requiring a suspension of disbelief. It features several uniquely absurd sequences, including one involving a spinning hat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mortal<\/a>
Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, Mortal Kombat<\/em> provides some entertainment value and boasts competent production, but would have benefited from a more seasoned director. Arguably, Paul W.S. Anderson might have delivered a superior film, given his success with the original adaptation (and, more recently, Monster Hunter<\/em>). In Monster Hunter<\/em>, the characters were more engaging and developed compared to their somewhat superficial counterparts in this latest Mortal Kombat<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The film earns a passing grade, but only marginally so (particularly if you are not a hardcore fan of the games).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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