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Mortal Kombat (2021) poster

Mortal Kombat

dir. Simon McQuoid · 2021

Feature
Identity Crisis
Mood
Adventurous / Tense
Look
vibrant, stylized action sequences with a blend of CGI and practical effects
Structure
linear progression with a focus on character arcs and training montages
Plot

MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan), accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage-or why Outworld's Emperor Shang Tsung (Chin Han) has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim), an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family's safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee) at the direction of Jax (Mehcad Brooks), a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano), an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark. Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), Kung Lao (Max Huang) and rogue mercenary Kano (Josh Lawson), as he prepares to stand with Earth's greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana-the immense power from within his soul-in time to save not only his family but to stop Outworld once and for all?

Why watch

"Mortal Kombat (2021) delivers a thrilling blend of action and fantasy, where the journey of self-discovery unfolds through epic battles and supernatural powers. Dive into a world where legacy and identity collide, and every fight is a step toward unlocking one's true potential."

Cultural context
resurgence of video game adaptationsexploration of Asian mythologyrepresentation of martial arts in cinemathe appeal of escapism in fantasy narratives
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