Mortal Kombat (1995) is a live-action martial arts fantasy film directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, based on the popular video game series of the same name by Midway Games. The film is the first entry in the Mortal Kombat movie franchise and became a cult classic among fans of the video game series and martial arts action films.
The movie centers around three martial artistsโLiu Kang (played by Robin Shou), Johnny Cage (played by Linden Ashby), and Sonya Blade (played by Bridgette Wilson)โwho are chosen to participate in the deadly tournament known as “Mortal Kombat.” The tournament takes place on an otherworldly island, where the fate of Earthrealm is at stake. The evil sorcerer Shang Tsung (played by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) has been sent to Earth to ensure that his realm, Outworld, wins the tournament for the tenth time in a row, allowing them to invade Earth. If Earthrealm loses the tournament, Earth will be doomed to fall under the control of Outworld.
As the heroes prepare to face a series of powerful opponents, including iconic characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and the fearsome reptilian creature Reptile, they must work together to fight for Earthโs survival. Along the way, they discover more about the dark forces that threaten their world, including the mysterious warrior, Raiden (played by Christopher Lambert), who serves as their guide and protector.
Mortal Kombat is known for its martial arts choreography, colorful characters, and over-the-top action. The film embraced the violent, fantastical elements of the original video game, albeit toned down for a wider audience. The fight scenes are a highlight of the movie, featuring a variety of combat styles and memorable special moves, like Johnny Cageโs “shadow kick” and Liu Kangโs iconic “flying kick.” Despite its somewhat cheesy dialogue and campy special effects, the film struck a chord with fans of the game, thanks to its faithful inclusion of the characters, moves, and brutal combat elements that made the game so popular.
The movie’s soundtrack also contributed to its popularity, with the iconic theme song composed by The Immortals becoming a staple of the Mortal Kombat franchise. The electronic, high-energy song remains a defining element of the film and has become synonymous with the Mortal Kombat brand.
Mortal Kombat (1995) performed reasonably well at the box office, grossing over $122 million worldwide, despite mixed reviews from critics. While some critics found the film to be overly simplistic and lacking in depth, it has remained a favorite for fans of the franchise and is often viewed as one of the better video game adaptations of its time.