Skip to main content

MK Annihilates Expectations?


On April 3rd, in the year of our thunder god, 2021, theatres and televisions across the country were graced with the long awaited brutal, bombastic, and bloody reboot of Mortal Kombat. Since the dubious reception of MK Annihilation, fans have shouted from the rooftops the world over for a proper reimagining of their beloved franchise. And although there has been a slew of attempts via various media over the years, the closest anyone has ever gotten to attaining the perceived cinematic potential of the source material is the highly successful MK 9 game and it’s subsequent sequels. However, I’m happy to say that 2021’s Mortal Kombat is a labor of love that scratches the itch of it’s diehard fans ... mostly.

As a fan, I can safely say that there are a litany of reasons to love this fast paced brawl-fest of a movie. Between top notch costumes, a colorful cast of characters, a bitching remix of the 90’s MK theme song, and an eye-catching clash of bloody martial arts mayhem, accented beautifully with gore-tastic fatalities, this movie is a sheer delight. 

However, when it comes to a faithful adaptation of the lore, deep character studies, or a tight and interesting narrative, the film is somewhat lacking. Between the many underdeveloped characters overstuffing this film, acting that ranges from damn good to dull, an underdeveloped narrative, and a pace that throttles the story far too fast even for an action movie, at best fans will get the blood stained barebones of what they know the story and it’s characters can be.

 All in all, what’s there glimmers like Shinnok's golden medallion, showing favorable promise for the franchise potential future. And I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a wickedly fun time. I just desperately hope that for it’s highly telegraphed sequels that the creators take the time and care to let the MK lore and it’s characters breath and blossom like I know they can.

Now if you don't care about spoilers, I suggest using the link below to head over to the Quarter After Five Podcast, where I sit down with George White and give my full, unfiltered thoughts on Mortal Kombat and even try to offer, what I believe, is a better version of the movie. Give it a listen and tell me what you think. At the very least, it'll be a good time. I guarantee it.

Quarter After Five: Levi Kombat - https://fb.watch/6X1hYGGoaB/

  • Levi Mock (May 2021)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vince McMahon - The God, The Freak, & The Fraud

     Within a vast sea of eclectic personalities, all strange, deranged, and nostalgic in their own right, it’s truly a wonder that one manages to easily stand head and shoulders above all the rest, both in and out of the ring. And I’m not talking about The Rock, The Hulkster, or even The Unseeable Cena. No. Because even with all their charisma combined, I can surely say that their legacy does not hold a candle to the most revered, beloved, and reviled personality of them all, the infamous head honcho that everyone loves to hate, Vincent Kennedy McMahon.      Yes. Always walking ten feet tall and with every inch of the Biggest-D-Swagger the world has ever known, Mr. McMahon single handedly birthed, grew, and perfected the multibillion dollar WWE empire that many know and love today, producing unforgettable stories, legendary bouts, and larger than life superstars that rival (perhaps even best) the ancient myths of old world gods and monsters. Or so the rum...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dune Two Fail? - Will it Stand the Test of Time?

     The vast ocean of burning sand; still, warm, and stretching for infinity, resides as the only bastion of solace for the war weary peoples of Arrakis. They speak of its beauty and sacredness with such reverence that it feels easy to let its rumored enchantments beguile you. But is such a place as wondrous as they claim? Or is it merely a pretty pile of sand bolstered by those already under its spell? Moreover, one could extend such a question to the sprawling tale of Dune: Part Two itself. For although it may dazzle with aesthetic beauty and interesting lore, the real question is if its story offers anything captivating during its three hour run time. And does it? Let’s get into it.       Dune: Part Two continues the story of Paul Atredies ( Timothée Chalamet ) as he unites with Chani ( Zendaya ) and the Fremen, while also seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. However, as his enemies close in, he falls in love with Ch...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Visitant. Nothing, but Vibes … Deliciously Spooky Vibes

Oh, in the late hour, how dreadful the bumps and shadows of the night can be. But rest assured, it’s usually nothing more than the wicked tricks of your paranoid mind running amok … well … if you’re lucky . Because sometimes those ghostly flashes in one’s peripherals or the unsettling creaks of one’s home can be far more real and malevolent than any would want them to be. And if they truly are, then what is a lonesome soul to do? This question and more, I’m sure, ran through Josh’s mind, when he found himself caught in an unsettling game of cat-and-mouse with the mysterious, shadow stalker known as The Visitant . The Visitant ( 2024 ) is a horror-short written and directed by Chad and Brennan Sano that tells the tale of Josh ( Aaron Groben ), an artist that inadvertently creates a gateway into another world that invites a dark presence into his home. Clocking in at exactly 7 minutes ( with credits ), not a single second is wasted, wracking the spirit with a lingering dread that does ...
Post a Comment
Read more