Guest writer Hugh Verheylewegen continues to give us ideas of what to watch while we’re staying at home, check out his review of the brand new animated Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge.
If you have known me long enough you would probably know that, next to Halo and Doom, Mortal Kombat is one of my favorite video game franchises. There have been 11 great games to come out of the series, yet as far as film adaptations go they sadly don’t have the same streak as the games they are based on.
You have the 1995 film that wasn’t great but it was very entertaining enough to have a cult following, and even have some inclusions in some of the games. Then you had the 1997 sequel which was universally panned by everyone for a variety of atrocities. And after that there were a few live action shows on YouTube that were met with mixed to negative reviews for having some good ideas and some fucking weird ones. And now there is another Mortal Kombat film on its way with producer James Wan included in the project.
But then from seemingly out of nowhere it was revealed that an R-rated animated Mortal Kombat film was being released this year, which brings us to today’s review. Mortal Kombat Legends – Scorpion’s Revenge follows the story of the game in which fighters of different realms kompete ???? in a deadly fighting tournament that determines the fate of Earth. Among the kompetitors ???? is a hellish specter named Scorpion, who is at the tournament with the sole purpose of avenging the murder of his family, clan and himself. He will not let anyone get in his way on the path of vengeance, and those who do will face his wrath.
We finally have a Mortal Kombat film that many fans have dreamed of, even though the way the filmmakers chose to approach it may not be what fans could expect.
As the title suggest this is a primarily Scorpion focused film, taking the story fans know from the games but showing it mostly through his perspective. We get to delve into his past and see the events that lead up to his inclusion in the tournament.
For people who may have wanted a film that doesn’t solely focus on one character, and wanted it to focus on multiple characters we know and love instead, I can certainly see them having issues with this, even though the movie does shift focus on other characters throughout the story. But if you just so happen to be a big Scorpion fan like myself then this movie will be right up your alley.
I fucking loved this movie. The animation, the performances, the brutal yet impactful story and vicious action is all there and I couldn’t be happier.
Patrick Seitz reprises the role of Scorpion and honestly this is perhaps his best performance of the character throughout all the games he has been in. He brings so much emotion and energy into this voice performance that you can really feel all the pain and emotions that eat away at him like a rotting wound. And when he unleashes his rage it is so raw and real that it makes the emotional aspect of the film even more impactful.
Other characters many know from the games appear: Raiden, Liu Kang, Shang Tsung, Sonya Blade, Johnny Cage and others, and overall the voice acting is great for all of them. If you have played the games you pretty much know their story and where they end up and they are all so great. There are no weak portrayals for any of the characters.
The narrative for the story mostly follows the games, however they do change it up hugely with Scorpion’s involvement, which in a way is a reference to the multiverse presented in Mortal Kombat 11. Things happen much differently, but one thing that certainly doesn’t change is the ferocious combat.
The animation is incredible, as it makes the action smooth and fluid with every punch, kick and super ability. The violence and gore in this film is spectacular, with absolutely gruesome animation and every hit and injury could be felt when you watch it. You could feel your body tighten, especially when they show the X-Ray injuries just like the game. It’s fucking crazy but it is Mortal Kombat so it is to be expected.
The fact that this film was able to accomplish what live action hasn’t even gotten close to on several elements is great. The film might not be that long but they certainly have left an opening for a sequel, or what could likely be a series of animated Mortal Kombat films that could focus on different characters.
This was truly a film meant for MK fans or people who enjoy the games. People who are completely unfamiliar with it or don’t like the games will probably not go for this, understandably so. I am hoping that the film makers of the new Mortal Kombat film can see this and understand that this what we want to see put on the big screen. I’m giving Mortal Kombat Legends – Scorpion’s Revenge an A.
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