Mortal Kombat: Annihilation Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Evil emperor wants a real estate merger but the zoning board (aka earthrealm warriors) won’t sign off, so they throw hands… and fire… and ice… and terrible dialogue.

🍿 Mortal Kombat: Annihilation: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Shao Kahn’s Invasion

The film begins immediately after the events of the first movie. Shao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld, violates the sacred rules of Mortal Kombat by opening a portal to Earthrealm. His goal is to merge Earthrealm with Outworld within six days, a plan opposed by Earth’s warriors. This sets the stage for a desperate race against time.

Gathering Allies

Raiden guides Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, Kitana, and the recently deceased Johnny Cage’s comrades to gather allies and find a way to stop Shao Kahn. Sonya seeks out Jax, who has undergone enhancements to his arms. Liu Kang and Kitana search for Nightwolf, a Native American shaman, for guidance. These quests showcase the expansion of the team and their reliance on unique skills.

Challenges and Encounters

The heroes face numerous challenges as they journey through different realms. They encounter cyborg assassins like Cyrax and Smoke, as well as the hellspawn Scorpion and Sub-Zero. These battles test their skills and force them to adapt to new threats. Raiden seeks guidance from the Elder Gods, learning about the importance of reuniting Kitana with her resurrected mother, Sindel.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Liu Kang (Robin Shou): The Earthrealm’s champion and skilled martial artist who must master his animality to defeat Shao Kahn.
• Kitana (Talisa Soto): A skilled Edenian princess and warrior fighting alongside the Earthrealm warriors to save both realms.
• Raiden (James Remar): The protector of Earthrealm who sacrifices his immortality to help the warriors but must guide them against Shao Kahn.
• Sonya Blade (Sandra Hess): A determined Special Forces agent dedicated to stopping Shao Kahn’s invasion and protecting Earthrealm.
• Jax (Lynn ‘Red’ Williams): Sonya’s partner, a Special Forces agent with enhanced bionic arms, ready to defend Earthrealm.
• Shao Kahn (Brian Thompson): The ruthless emperor of Outworld who seeks to merge Earthrealm with his own through any means necessary.
• Sindel (Musetta Vander): Kitana’s resurrected mother, controlled by Shao Kahn, whose reunion with her daughter is key to saving Earthrealm.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kitana: “Mother! You’re alive!” – Kitana expresses her surprise upon seeing her resurrected mother, Sindel.
• Sindel: “Too bad *you*… will DIE!” – Sindel coldly responds to Kitana, displaying her malevolent control under Shao Kahn.
• Raiden: “There are no rules anymore.” – Raiden declares this after Shao Kahn invades Earthrealm, signifying a shift from the structured tournament to open warfare.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $35,927,406
• Worldwide Gross: $51,376,861

💥 Mortal Kombat: Annihilation Reviews

Personal Review

Oh boy, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. Where do I even start? As a kid who loved the games, I was so hyped. But it felt like a fever dream. One minute Johnny Cage is making a quip, the next he’s…gone! I remember laughing more than being thrilled during the fight scenes. The CGI was terrible, the story was incomprehensible, it’s so bad it’s almost good. Almost.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise”
  • “Viewers who enjoy martial arts films with a fantasy element”
  • “Those seeking a campy and over-the-top action movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense martial arts violence”
  • “Fantasy combat”
  • “Some suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• The Generic Movie Reviewer: “The first Mortal Kombat movie, while flawed, had a certain charm and energy. This sequel sacrifices everything good about the first film for a chaotic mess of characters, plot holes, and questionable special effects. Prepare for disappointment.
• Martial Arts Fanatic: “While the plot is paper-thin and the acting is wooden, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation does deliver on some level for martial arts fans. There are plenty of fights that capture the spirit of the game. But if you expect a good story look elsewhere.
• Couch Critic: “It has a few decent moments, but the special effects and plot make it feel like a direct-to-video production. The first movie wasn’t high art, but compared to this mess, it was a masterpiece. The acting is stiff, and the writing is terrible.

Audience Reactions

The sheer number of characters was impressive, even if their screen time was fleeting.: Fans of the game will appreciate seeing many of their favorite characters brought to life, even if the portrayals aren’t perfect.

The soundtrack was great: Catchy techno tracks made the film more watchable.

Overall Consensus: A poorly executed sequel that sacrifices plot and quality for an overabundance of characters and chaotic action. Nostalgia may provide some enjoyment, but overall, it’s a disappointing experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Several actors from the first film, including Christopher Lambert and Linden Ashby, did not return for the sequel, leading to recasting of key roles like Raiden and Johnny Cage.”
• “The movie attempts to incorporate numerous characters and plot elements from ‘Mortal Kombat 3,’ leading to a rushed and convoluted narrative.”
• “The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews, often criticized for its poor acting, special effects, and nonsensical plot.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mortal Kombat: Annihilation?

As of October 2024, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Double Dragon (1994): Another video game adaptation from the same era that also received poor reviews but may appeal to fans of campy action.
• Street Fighter (1994): Another live-action adaptation of a popular fighting game franchise from the 90s.
• DOA: Dead or Alive (2006): Similar theme of fighters with different backgrounds competing in a martial arts tournament.
• Tekken (2010): A more modern martial arts tournament film based on a popular video game.

🛒 Mortal Kombat: Annihilation Related Products

• Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate: Experience the latest iteration of the legendary fighting game franchise with stunning graphics, a deep story mode, and a massive roster of characters. It’s the ultimate Mortal Kombat experience for fans new and old.
• Mortal Kombat Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster from Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. A great way to remember (or poke fun at) this cult classic.
• Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge (Blu-ray): An animated Mortal Kombat movie featuring Scorpion and the original tournament. The fighting is gory and the story is captivating.
• Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition: This edition remakes the first three Mortal Kombat games. Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition features a deep story mode and huge roster of characters.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Theme from Mortal Kombat (Encounter the Ultimate)” – performed by The Immortals
• “Almost Human” – performed by Psychogen
• “Use Your Body” – performed by Adam F

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mortal Kombat Annihilation: Worst/Funniest Scenes

Okay, let’s be real, *Annihilation* has some questionable moments! This video compiles the absolute worst (and funniest) scenes. You HAVE to see these, it’s almost so bad it’s good!

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation characters – Part 1

Ever wondered how faithfully *Annihilation* adapted the game characters? This video does a side-by-side comparison, and some of the results are…interesting, to say the least. See if your favorite character got a fair shake!

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation characters – Part 2

Part 2 of the character comparison between the game and the movie. It will be good to see how your favorite character got adapted in the movie.

Mortal Kombat Movies Ranked!

Want to know where *Annihilation* falls in the pantheon of Mortal Kombat movies? This video ranks them all, from best to worst! I don’t always agree with these rankings, but it’s always fun to see what others think.

✨ Rate