BY CHRISTOPHER STAMM
GUEST movie REVIEWER
Mortal Kombat (Now showing in theatres)
Rated R – For language and some over the top blood and gore, just like in the video game.
Based on the 1992 video game and its successors, this is the third attempt at turning the game Mortal Kombat into a film, and it seems the third time is the charm.
Video games have a long and sad history being adapted into films, ranging from the “so bad the people that made it should be arrested for crimes against humanity” of Mario Brothers (1993) to the most recent “mind-numbingly bad” Monster Hunter (2021). Sure, there were a few exceptions along the way, but for every Tomb Raider (2018) you get a few House of the Deads (2003).
Mortal Kombat (starring nobody whose names you are likely to recognize, but with faces you will know) does what so few others have managed to do. It was good – no, it was excellent – and a true popcorn movie that had a little bit of everything, from outstanding action and fight sequences, to some real laugh-out-loud moments. And, shockingly, they actually hired a writer that provided a solid story line to tie it all together.
Here is the basic outline of the story: Earth’s Champions are chosen and are identified by having a dragon birthmark. They defend earth from Outworld, a realm of bad guys and the usual nasty folk. Once in a while, they have a tournament and fight to the death for control of Earth, and after winning 10 in a row, Outworld gets to move to earth and enjoy its amenities. Good for them; not so good for we simple earthlings. And just to put a little stress on the current situation, Outworld has won 9 in a row, and here comes the 10th tournament.
I’m not going to go into a lot of detail, because, hey, I hate spoilers, and I’m sure most of you do, as well, but I will tell you that Mary (my super awesome wife) and I howled during this movie. We laughed, we cringed (in the best way), and we had a hoot of a good time! Go see this movie; you will not regret it.
Mortal Kombat gets four out of five stars, because we all need a movie that is not preaching to us and demands we enjoy the ride.