Review of Mortal Kombat (1995) by David L — 13 Oct 2010

Takes me back to my childhood where I spent many dinner hours bashing the joy pads in an attempt to beat the hell out of my mates at this mega drive game! For that reason I can really relate to this film and am familiar with all the characters.

When these sort of films are made, you never really expect that much from them but this to its credit has managed a fair attempt at a storyline. It has recognised it's young teenage target market and as a result has not made the spectacle too graphic with the inclusion of too much gore or 'fatalities' that the game was often famed for (hence avoiding an 18 rating).

There's character interaction and dialogue and its not just all about the fighting. Yes, the brunt of this concept does revolve around a group of humans entering a fighting tournament in order to save the world from being dominated by the evil sorcerer Shang Tsung, but if anything, I didn't think this movie had enough battle sequences.

I much prefer the final battles to be built up as much as possible, I like to see the villains prove that they are villainous before they get their inevitable loss against the heroes of the film. For me there was too much verbal build up of some of the baddies, and then they just lose their first fight went they get pitted straight in at the deep end.

Nevertheless, I can still watch this film over and over again, each time hoping evil will triumph (as the characters are more appealing I.e. Scorpion and Sub Zero), but in that respect I'm obviously left disappointed every time - from every other aspect though, I'm entertained to the max!