Video game’s most brutal fighting game, gets a movie that just as brutal and fun!

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Mortal Kombat first appeared as an arcade game in 1992. It was different from previous fighting games. There was a level of violence and gore that games never saw before. This would help with its popularity. Mortal Kombat combat went on to spawn several sequels, 2 feature films, 2 television shows, and other merchandise. Mortal Kombat became popular in popular culture as well. With all it’s popularity it’s not a shock Warner Brothers Home Entertainment came out with a full length animated film!

The film opens in Japan (I think) and we see Hanzo Hasashi is teaching his son about how powerful the scorpion is. They head home to find everything they love has been killed. After an ensuing battle, Hanzo is killed and sent to Netherrealm. There he makes a deal to serve as Netherrealm’s champion in the Mortal Kombat competition and a chance to exact his revenge against the man who killed his family. Meanwhile, Lord Raiden recruits Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, and Johnny Cage to act on Earthrealm behalf. In the last 8 Mortal Kombats, Outworld has won. If Outworld wins one more time, Earthrealm will be doomed. With everything hanging on the balance, can the champions of Earthrealm win and save the day.

I really have to admit this film was bloody, gory, ultra-violent, and lots of fun! This film totally embraced the spirit of Mortal Kombat. The action is really fast-paced and exciting. Director Ethan Spaulding really has great timing in terms of the action. Honestly, I’m really not surprised, as Spaulding directed episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender and served as storyboard artist on The Legend of Korra. Both shows used martial arts in different ways, so this was a natural pairing.

Screenwriter Jeremy Adams does a good job bringing all these elements from the game into a cohesive story. While Scorpion is the main focus of the film, Adams still keeps the original plot in this film.

The voice cast really did an incredible job, but it’s Joel McHale as Johnny Cage that really steals the spotlight here. McHale does such an awesome job of playing the egotistical and somewhat vapid Cage.

Bottom line, this was a fun film, but it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s over the top blood and violence, but seeing how it’s Mortal Kombat, what else do you expect?

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge is available via digital download now, and on 4K Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack starting April 28. The movie is rated R.

Many thanks to Warner Brother Home Entertainment for allowing us to check this out!

By Brian Isaacs - Executive Editor / Publisher

An avid comic collector/reader for over 50 years and self-proclaimed professor of comicology, Brian originally started up the site Pendragon's Post to share his voice. Well, that voice has been shared and evolved into The Fanboy Factor. Brian is an advocate for remembering comic roots, and that we don't forget what was created in the past, and encourage everyone to read it as well. When not swimming in geek culture, he can be seen corrupting..introducing his young son to comics, much to his wife's chagrin.