Mortal Kombat II Review
Even though I don’t know much about Mortal Kombat lore, it’s had an undeniable impact on today’s culture. Who doesn’t love a wide range of peculiar faces beating each other up and then getting killed in over-the-top ways? Sometimes, I do love that, but I also appreciate a well-executed story to go along with it. That’s what 2021’s Mortal Kombat tried to do by slightly deviating from the insanity. It showcased a new perspective on the franchise, but most fans wanted more action and the “greatest hits.” Fortunately, Mortal Kombat II goes all in with the action and never backs down.
Mortal Kombat II very much deviates from the first film. Instead, viewers follow two iconic characters: Kitana (Adeline Rudolph) and Johnny Cage (Karl Urban). As the last round of the tournament comes, Raiden (Tadanobu Asano) and Shao Khan’s (Martyn Ford) prepare for the biggest battle in the realms. However, both Kitana and Johnny will have to learn important lessons while fighting for their lives if they want to survive.
If you want to know if Mortal Kombat II keeps its promise about being action-packed, then you’ll be delighted. There are nearly seven or eight different fight sequences that are contained within this one movie. Yet, they’re all put together in ways that make each one stand out and memorable. The most memorable fight scene might have been Johnny Cage fighting Baraka (CJ Bloomfield) or everyone battling Noob Saibot (Joe Taslim) in the Netherrealm.
The kills of Mortal Kombat II are as bloody and brutal, as one can already expect. Heads get impaled, chests get stabbed, body parts get cut up into pieces, you name it. Every kill that happens here mostly happens for a reason and the way that each one happens will definitely satiate one’s thirst for blood. That said, some kills are more impactful than others while others are mostly there just to increase Shao Khan’s intimidation factor. Without spoiling much, there’s a specific kill that Shao Khan takes regarding a specific character from the first film. It honestly feels like the film put these two characters together (in the iconic sewer level, no less) just to win the fans’ hearts back. There’s no doubt they do, but this one was ruthless.
In addition to the fights and the kills, the film really brings out the personality of each character, but a few stand out. The main two, Kitana and Johnny Cage, are great without question. Rudolph brings out Kitana’s determined perseverance to save her realm and her friend, Jade (Tati Gabrielle), quite confidently. Urban gives Cage all the charismatic douchey-ness the actor needs while allowing a bit of empathy to spark within him, slowly forming him into the “main character” he needs to be. He has a nice talk about perspective with Raiden that carries throughout the film, but it’s hidden under all the chaos of it all.
However, props have to be bringing back an unabashedly hilarious Kano (Josh Lawson) and Baraka. Kano is simply unfiltered as his dark jokes, like Quan Chi’s (Damon Herriman) bald head and extremely pale skin, are comically exaggerated by his accent. You simply can’t help but laugh at the overconfidence of this guy and it’s always fun when he’s on screen. This also goes for Baraka, who almost acts similarly to Guardians of the Galaxy’s Drax, albeit on a little dumbed-down level. Surprisingly, he develops this odd relationship with Cage that’s sweet, yet absurdly weird, at the same time after their scuffle.
Mortal Kombat II gives everything that fans have been dying for, from epic fights to the death, iconic one-liners, and hilarious characters. Rudolph, Urban, and Lawson simply steal the show as their respective fighters in the sequel that feels deeply rooted in those classic films of the ’90s. With another film already in development, it feels likely that Ed Boon and this creative team will continue pursuing what fans want from these films: a savage, chaotic mess.
Rating: ★★★⯪☆
Mortal Kombat II releases in theaters on May 8.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.