This might be the first movie I've watched that is based on a video game. I've attempted to avoid such films, like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," "Street Fighter: The Movie" and "Max Payne" (starring Mark Wahlberg), because they attempt to turn video games that have very little character and even less plot into a feature-length production. The results have always been disastrous.
"Mortal Kombat" falls into the same group when it comes to story and character - It is a martial arts tournament with the fate of the world in the balance. The characters are little more than stereotypes, like the female military leader that bottles up her emotions, and the cocky and smug Hollywood type that is somehow good at kung fu, especially at punching four-armed demons in the private parts.
But let's face it, people don't watch "Mortal Kombat" for the story, they watch it for the action.
One of the main attractions of the Mortal Kombat video games is the ultra-violent finishers with characters getting ripped in half or burned alive, yet they decided to make "Moral Kombat" PG-13, with next to no blood for the kids to enjoy. Most of the charm of the video game is removed by doing this, making the movie a standard kung-fu film with a kick-ass soundtrack.
I'll admit, the main theme to "Mortal Kombat" gets me excited to watch two warriors duke it out to the death. Listening to the opening cords makes me want to punch a wooden board. The theme gets the job done at building up the action and making it seem all the more grand and exciting. Easily the best part of the film.
Overall, "Mortal Kombat" is devoid of any good character moments and very few action sequences that stand out, even a few hours after watching the film. Johnny Cage has a few good moments of being a dick, and the soundtrack is amazing, but that's all this film has to offer.
Final Grade: C-
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