MORTAL KOMBAT 2 – A Violent, Thrilling, Blood Soaked Smash!

OFFICIAL MORTAL KOMBAT 2 POSTER COURTESY OF WARNER BROS PICTURES UK

Official Mortal Kombat 2 Trailer – 

In 2021 film fans and gamers were introduced to the reboot of “Mortal Kombat” on the big screen. Unfortunately, as many game adaptations do, it fell short of expectations with missed opportunities for characters, catch phrases, fight scenes and just the plot alone wasn’t imaginative. Five years on have Warner Bros learned from their mistakes and hit the reset button on their hot property franchise? I was invited to the European Fan Event in London and was one of the first to see the sequel in IMAX. This is what I thought of it. 

THANKS TO WARNER BROS PICTURES UK FOR THE INVITE AND AN AMAZING EVENING!

The recent trailers got me very excited for the second attempt at the MK universe. A bonus for me is that I personally know one of the lead actors, the enormous Martyn Ford who takes on the helm of the evil Shao Kahn. However I tried to control my excitement as I didn’t want my bubble to be burst if it sadly joined its underwhelming predecessor. You will be glad to read that all my prayers were answered and this movie massively surpasses the first film by miles. The introduction to the new characters especially Karl Urban’s “Johnny Cage” who brings a sense of humour to the role, adding some real comical moments throughout. The stand out character for me was Josh Lawson’s “Kano” wow some of his lines left me in absolute stitches and most likely these were not scripted but adlibbed. Set aside the funniness and corny moments let’s talk about the action something that needed to be addressed from the last film or the lack of it. MK2 has all the action and some, fight scenes galore. However some better than others. The opening Johnny Cage sequence which is a scene from a movie they are shooting, I couldn’t decided whether they purposefully made his moves look and feel clunky or was the fight choreography either way, it left me cringing. Not the best start but could only get better and it did. A beautiful and disgustingly bloody death when Jessica McNamee’s Sonya Blade slaughters Queen Sindel, a flawless victory at best! 

FILM STILL COURTESY OF WARNER BROS PICTURES UK

Martyn Ford has brought real charisma and presence to the role of Shao Kahn, which is not an easy task when for the full duration of the film you are wearing a helmet and thick prosthetics. The fear and intensity in all his scenes is something to behold. I worked with Martyn many years ago on an independent film “Redcon-1” and I know first hand the sheer scale of this man.. What has impressed me the most was despite his size in all the fight scenes he is involved with (there are quite a few) he looks agile and dynamic. His skull crushing hammer is an added bonus. There are a number of fight scenes and none of them have hit the spot just yet however enter Lui Kang VS Kung Lao, this delivered on all levels and some. A fight that told an emotional story with intent. When you could hear the Mortal Kombat theme song as a motive you knew you were in for a treat. 

FILM STILLS COURTESY OF WARNER BROS PICTURES UK

From Brothers fighting to save each other to mortal enemies seeking revenge. With Hanzo VS Bi-Han (Scorpion Vs Sub Zero) once I heard the phrase “Get Over Here!” I was satisfied. Warner Bros certainly learnt from the first outing and amended quite a few issues, however I cannot deny this film still has its flaws. The obvious issue for me was the timing, pacing and over structure, it was all over the place. One scene in particular which is a pinnacle to the extension of the story suddenly comes out of nowhere and feels very out of place. The timings are off where characters leave to do a task while others are left to fight. There seem lengthy gaps where in real time people would be sat twiddling thumbs and watching the clock, waiting for their turn to materialise. Too many plot holes to speak of including the changing of the Mortal Kombat rules where death isn’t essential and you can switch sides at any time. The blue screen sets despite the $80 million budget looked cheap and took you away from certain scenes. The script is weak and some characters barely speak lines including Lewis Tan’s “Cole”, who I was looking forward to seeing more of. One character who surprised me was “Baraka” completely not the tone I was expecting from such an evil looking dude, absolutely class acting from CJ Bloomfield. The final sequence is hilarious, I certainly want to see more of him in future films. 

FILM STILL COURTESY OF WARNER BROS PICTURES UK

Putting all the flaws aside, I bloody LOVED the film and can’t wait to watch it again. Despite all its short comings the humour, the action and the assembled cast just tick the majority of all the boxes and Warner Bros truly have revived their franchise. Talk of a third already in the works is rumouring around and I for one am up for it! 

Overall Mortal Kombat 2 was a thrilling, blood fueled, action packed ride that I didn’t want to end. 

I give Mortal Kombat 2 a very respectable 
4/5 Skulls

Mortal Kombat 2 is now in cinemas Worldwide and available in IMAX courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures.