Mortal Kombat Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of people with dragon tattoos discover they have superpowers and must fight evil sorcerers from another dimension, but mostly they just punch each other a lot.

🍿 Mortal Kombat: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Shirai Ryu Massacre

In 17th-century Japan, Bi-Han, a Lin Kuei assassin, leads an attack on the Shirai Ryu ninja clan, slaughtering Hanzo Hasashi’s family and fellow warriors. Raiden intervenes, saving Hanzo’s infant daughter. This sets the stage for a generations-long conflict.

Cole Young and the Dragon Mark

In the present day, MMA fighter Cole Young, bearing a mysterious dragon mark, is targeted by Sub-Zero, the modern-day Bi-Han. Jax, a Special Forces Major, rescues Cole’s family and directs him to Sonya Blade, revealing the existence of Mortal Kombat and the looming threat of Outworld.

Training at Raiden’s Temple

Cole, Sonya, and Kano join Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Jax at Raiden’s temple, where they attempt to unlock their ‘Arcana,’ unique powers bestowed upon those chosen to defend Earthrealm. Kano unexpectedly unlocks his laser eye ability, while Cole struggles to find his.

The Attack on the Temple

Shang Tsung’s forces attack Raiden’s temple, leading to intense battles. Kano betrays the Earthrealm warriors, sabotaging the temple’s defenses. Kung Lao is killed by Shang Tsung, while Jax unlocks his Arcana and gains powerful metal arms.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cole Young (Lewis Tan): A struggling MMA fighter and descendant of Hanzo Hasashi, Cole is drawn into the world of Mortal Kombat to protect his family and unlock his hidden potential.
• Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim): The cryomancer Bi-Han, also known as Sub-Zero, is a deadly assassin from Outworld sent to eliminate Earthrealm’s champions.
• Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee): A determined Special Forces lieutenant, Sonya is investigating Mortal Kombat and the existence of Outworld.
• Kano (Josh Lawson): A mercenary and criminal, Kano is initially a captive of Sonya who develops his own powers after receiving the dragon mark.
• Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano): An Elder God and protector of Earthrealm, Raiden guides and trains the chosen warriors for the Mortal Kombat tournament.
• Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada): Hanzo Hasashi, resurrected as the vengeful specter Scorpion, seeks revenge on Sub-Zero for the murder of his family and clan.
• Shang Tsung (Chin Han): The soul-stealing sorcerer and Emperor of Outworld, Shang Tsung seeks to ensure Outworld’s victory over Earthrealm by eliminating its champions.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Scorpion: “Get over here!” – Scorpion’s iconic catchphrase, used when he spears his opponent to bring them closer for an attack.
• Kano: “Kano wins!” – Said by Kano, humorously referencing the game’s victory announcement after a particularly brutal kill.
• Shang Tsung: “Fatality!” – The signature phrase shouted to signify the defeat and death of a rival.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $55,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $42,326,031
• Worldwide Gross: $84,426,031

💥 Mortal Kombat Reviews

Personal Review

As a longtime fan of the games, I was really excited for this movie. While it wasn’t perfect, I had a blast. The fights were brutal and the special effects were great, especially Sub-Zero’s ice powers. I thought Kano was hilarious and stole every scene he was in. The lack of a proper tournament was a bummer, but I’m hoping the sequel will deliver on that front. Seeing Scorpion and Sub-Zero finally face off was awesome and gave me chills. Overall, I enjoyed it for what it was: a fun, gory, and faithful adaptation.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-packed martial arts movies with gore”
  • “Those looking for a fun, albeit flawed, adaptation of a beloved game”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Intense fight sequences”

Professional Reviews

• IGN: “Mortal Kombat is a fun, gory spectacle, elevated by impressive fight choreography and a genuine love for its source material. However, a weak plot and underdeveloped characters prevent it from reaching its full potential. It’s a decent popcorn flick for fans, but newcomers might be left scratching their heads.
• RogerEbert.com: “This movie is a faithful, bloody adaptation of the video game, even if it falls short on story. The action is well-choreographed and the special effects are impressive, satisfying fans who craved a more mature and violent take. It sacrifices character development for fight scenes but delivers on its promise of carnage.
• Variety: “‘Mortal Kombat’ knows what its audience wants: bone-crunching action, recognizable characters, and a healthy dose of gore. While the plot is thin and the acting uneven, the fight choreography is top-notch. It serves as a promising start to a potential franchise, leaning into the absurdity and violence that made the games iconic.

Audience Reactions

Kano was the funniest character and stole every scene.: Fans loved the gore, fatalities, and faithful representation of the video game characters.

The Scorpion vs. Sub-Zero fight was epic and the highlight of the movie.: The fight choreography was excellent and the special effects were impressive.

Overall Consensus: A visually impressive and action-packed adaptation that delivers on the gore and violence fans wanted, but suffers from a weak plot and underdeveloped characters. It’s a fun, if flawed, experience for Mortal Kombat enthusiasts.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Hiroyuki Sanada prepared for his role as Scorpion by playing Mortal Kombat video games to learn the stories, background, and characters.”
• “The Warner Bros. logo appears with fire burning beneath it, while the New Line Cinema logo gets covered in ice, representing the rivalry between Scorpion and Sub-Zero.”
• “The film reboots the franchise, focusing on the backstory and character development leading up to the actual Mortal Kombat tournament.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mortal Kombat?

Mortal Kombat (2021) is available to stream on Max. You can also rent or buy it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mortal Kombat, you might like these similar films:

• Mortal Kombat (1995): The original live-action adaptation that brought the video game to the big screen, setting the foundation for future adaptations.
• Street Fighter (1994): Another 90s video game adaptation featuring a tournament of fighters with special abilities and over-the-top action.
• The Raid: Redemption (2011): Features intense, brutal martial arts action and fight choreography that fans of Mortal Kombat’s violence would appreciate.
• Bloodsport (1988): A classic martial arts tournament film with a focus on intense fighting and character rivalries.

🛒 Mortal Kombat Related Products

• Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate (PS5): Experience the latest installment of the Mortal Kombat franchise with enhanced graphics, new characters, and all previously released DLC. It is one of the best fighting games of all time with a ton of characters.
• Mortal Kombat Movie Poster: High-quality print featuring the iconic artwork from the 2021 Mortal Kombat film, perfect for displaying your fandom.
• Mortal Kombat: Scorpion’s Revenge (Blu-ray): An animated movie that focuses on Scorpion’s origin story and is considered a truer adaptation.
• Mortal Kombat T-Shirt: Officially licensed t-shirt featuring the Mortal Kombat logo and iconic characters, available in various sizes and styles.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mortal Kombat features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Techno Syndrome 2021” – performed by Benjamin Wallfisch
• “I’m Your Puppet” – performed by James & Bobby Purify

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mortal Kombat: Scorpion’s New Kicks

Check out this hilarious short where Scorpion shows off his new footwear to Goro and the Terminator. It’s a clever and entertaining take on the characters you’ll surely enjoy!

Mortal Kombat: Konfidence is Key

Get ready for some laughs in this short where Baraka quizzes Mileena and Reptile on their confidence levels. It’s a fun and lighthearted look at the characters that’s sure to entertain.

The Worst Line in Scriptwriting History

Prepare to cringe and laugh in this video that highlights one of the worst lines in movie history, taken from a Mortal Kombat film. It’s a fun and thought-provoking look at the franchise’s highs and lows.

✨ Rate