Mortal Kombat II

Story: Fading actor Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) is the chosen one to join the team of defenders to save the Earthrealm from being invaded by the brutal Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford) in a do or die game finale. But can they win this deadly combat against one of the most powerful evil forces?

Review: Hollywood's obsession with turning games into movies and vice versa is legendary. But when it comes to Mortal Kombat, the popularity and nostalgia surrounding the game is so high that it's hardly surprising this is the fourth instalment of the film series based on the video game franchise, with the last few coming out in quick succession since 2020. After the original Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins in 1995, fans of the game have always been eager to catch all the brutal action on the big screen, and this latest instalment is an unapologetically loud actioner that serves as a direct sequel to the 2021 outing.

This part begins with a dark tale of a young Kitana’s (Sophia Xu) father King Jerrod (Desmond Chiam) being assassinated by the evil Shao Kahn in front of his own people. And hence, right from the start it’s established that this is a revenge drama woven into the high octane games where it’s the survival of the fittest. While a grown up Kitana (Adeline Rudolph) belongs to the Outworld, she has to fight against an army of superheroes like Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Jax (Mehcad Brooks) and the protector of the Earthrealm Raiden (Tadanobu Asano). But this time joining them is a bumbling has-been action hero from the 80s, Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), who cannot fathom why he’s chosen for such a high-stakes mission. After all, this is the tenth combat where if won, Shao Kahn can finally rule and enslave the earth.

So, the story by Jeremy Slater is fairly simple. Like always, the whole world is in danger and it’s up to a few bravehearts to save the day. And that’s precisely what makes this slick action extravaganza a fun watch. Within its 2-hour runtime, director Simon McQuoid actually manages to ensure there isn't a dull moment. There is a fair bit of comedy peppered into the screenplay amidst all the bloodshed and brutal action. And many may find Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage cartoonishly loud, but the actor wears the character’s annoying traits with a gusto and delivers a no-holds barred act. The best part is that even if you’re not a fan of the game, it won’t stop you from enjoying the non-stop action, adventure and entertainment. Adeline Rudolph’s charm is rooted in her restraint as a young woman waiting for the right time and opportunity to avenge her father’s death. The rest of the cast drums up good support and the film thankfully never slumps into a melodramatic emotional mess. There is a generous dose of comedy in the dialogue and slapstick fun to keep the proceedings light. The setting of the games in two different realms, both mystical and dark, works well as Stephen F. Windon’s cinematography breathes life into even the most obviously VFX-heavy sequences.

All in all, Mortal Kombat II isn’t a film meant just for the die-hard fans but in fact, it’s quite the opposite. It's a full-throttle, universally appealing action spectacle that knows exactly how to give audiences their money's worth.