Mortal Kombat

1995 Action/Adventure

Three reluctant fighters are drafted for an intergalactic martial-arts tournament that will determine the fate of the human race in this special-effects-driven adventure. Inspired by the popular and notoriously bloody video game, Mortal Kombat provides a semblance of a plot as an excuse for rampant mayhem, with the evil alien forces challenging humanity to a kung fu battle to decide the Earth's fate. Following the failure of several previous human defenders, mankind's last chance lies with egotistical action film star Johnny Cage (Linden Ashby), tough but beautiful special agent Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson), and vengeance-minded hero Liu Kang (Robin Shou). Under the guidance of inspirational sorcerer Lord Rayden (Christopher Lambert), this unlikely trio faces off against a series of terrifying alien adversaries. As in the video game, the martial arts battles are the true point, with standard fighting combining with magical touches supplied by computer-generated effects. The dramatic content often resembles a Saturday morning cartoon, but Jonathan Scott Carlson's appropriately dank production design and the visually spectacular battle sequences made the film a hit amongst younger fantasy-action fans, spawning a sequel and a TV show. more..

Director: Paul Anderson

Starring: Christopher Lambert, Linden Ashby, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Robin Shou, Bridgette Wilson

 19 Reviews  3 Awards

Reviews

  • A martial arts action-adventure with wondrous special effects and witty production design, it effectively combines supernatural terror, a mythical slay-the-dragon, save-the-princess odyssey and even a spiritual quest for self-knowledge.

    Kevin Thomas - Los Angeles Times

    26 April 2013

  • It is one continuous fight sequence from opening scene to final credits, but lacks the blood, profanity, and gore that would have merited a more adult rating.

    Peter Rainer - Christian Science Monitor

    26 April 2013

  • The movie's extensive martial arts sequences, in which combatants bounce off each other doing triple handsprings, suggest a slightly more earthbound version of the aerial ballets in Hong Kong action-adventure films.

    Stephen Holden - The New York Times

    26 April 2013

  • But where others have sunk in the mire of imitation, director Paul Anderson and writer Kevin Droney effect a viable balance between exquisitely choreographed action and ironic visual and verbal counterpoint.

    Leonard Klady - Variety

    26 April 2013

  • Expect lots of earsplitting music, garish visuals and badly staged martial arts action.

    - TV Guide

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • George S. Clinton

    BMI Film & TV Awards (1996)

  • Best Sound Editing - Music (Foreign & Domestic)

    Motion Picture Sound Editors (1996)

     

  • Paul W.S. Anderson

    Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival (1995)

     

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