MORTAL KOMBAT (1995)

MORGAN'S RATING

This film adaptation of the wildly popular video game comes complete with dazzling special effects and plenty of martial arts action. The plot revolves around a tournament that pits evil against good. The sinister team, lead by the vile sorcerer Shang Tsung, includes the ice-wielding Sub-Zero, the serpent-like Reptile, and the gigantic, four-armed, muscle-bound mutant Goro. The good guys are lead by Lord Rayden, who uses electricity as a weapon. His pupils include martial arts expert Liu Kang, vain movie star and karate expert Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade, a task-force commando who knows how to kick some butt. Adding to the tension is the fact that whichever team wins 10 Kombat tournaments in a row will rule the Earth. And Shang Tsung's demonic team has won the last nine.

Christopher Lambert (Lord Rayden), Robin Shou (Liu Kang), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Shang Tsung), Linden Ashby (Johnny Cage), Bridgette Wilson (Sonya Blade), Talisa Soto (Princess Kitana), Trevor Goddard (Kano), Chris Casamassa (Scorpion), Francois Petit (Sub-Zero), Keith Cooke (Reptile), Hakim Alston (Fighting Monk), Kenneth Edwards (Art Lean), John Fujioka (Chief Priest), Daniel Haggard (Assistant Director), Sandy Helberg (Director), Steven Ho (Chan Kang), Peter Jason (Master Boyd), Lloyd Kino (Grandfather), Gregory McKinney (Jax Briggs), Mikal Moore, Bruce Stephens (Singers at Techno Club), Kevin Michael Richardson (Goro), Leo Anastasio (uncredited), Ed Boon (voice of Scorpion, uncredited), T.J. Storm (Guest Fighter, uncredited).

NOTHING IN THIS WORLD HAS PREPARED YOU FOR THIS.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Paul W.S. Anderson (Event Horizon). WRITERS: Kevin Droney, Ed Boon (video games) and John Tobias (video games). PRODUCERS: Lauri Apelian and Lawrence Kasanoff. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Alison Savitch. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Robert Engelman and Danny Simon. ORIGINAL MUSIC: George S. Clinton. DISTRIBUTOR: New Line Cinema.

QUOTES

FACTS

Blade: Where the hell are we? Cage: Do I look like your travel agent?

RELEASE DATE: August 18th, 1995 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $23.2 million  (USA)  BOX OFFICE RESULT: $70.4 million (USA) BUDGET: $20 million (USA) - Cameron Diaz was originally set to play Sonya Blade, but she broke her wrist before filming and was replaced by Bridgette Wilson. - Ed Boon, co-creator of the original video game, starred as the voice of Scorpion. - The premise of the film is greatly influenced by Enter the Dragon (1973). Note the three fighters, the transition by way of old style boat to an island, the final battle with the old man. - Scripted but not filmed was a scene where Shang Tsung allowed the combatants a night to bury and mourn the loss of Art Lean. They buried him in the garden of statues, underneath the statue of Kung Lao; the only place where he appeared in any of the movies. - Brandon Lee was originally cast as Johnny Cage, but died before production began. - Followed by two sequels: Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997) and Mortal Kombat: Domination (2005).

Cage: While you're at it, why don't you call my agent? Blade: Do I look like your secretary?

Cage: This is where you fall down.

Jax: Trust me, Sonya! Sonya: I only trust one person, Jax, and you're talking to her.

Liu Kang: I guess you knew it would end this way. Lord Rayden: Didn't have a clue.

Sonya: A handful of people on a leaky boat are gonna save the world? Lord Rayden: Exactly!

Cage: You know, you gotta admire her. When she sets her mind on something... Liu Kang: It's not her mind you're admiring. Cage: It's true.

Cage: I'm in a hostile environment. I'm totally unprepared. And I'm surrounded by a bunch of guys who probably want to kick my ass. I feel like I'm back in high school.

Liu Kang: Flawless victory!

Liu Kang: You can look into my soul, but you don't own it.

Lord Rayden: Goro can be killed. Shang Tsung's power can be destroyed by mortal men and women. You can overcome any obstacle, no matter how bizarre their powers may seem. Only one thing can defeat you...your own fear. Cage: So who says we're afraid?

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"The movie has everything a teenage boy could want...everything, that is, but an interesting plot, decent dialogue and compelling acting." -- Laura Evenson, San Francisco Chronicle

Lord Rayden: The essence of Mortal Kombat is not about death, but life. Mortal men and women protecting your own world...

"Likely to satisfy only the core audience already hooked on video and arcade games, and even that's not a sure thing." -- Richard Harrington, Washington Post

Cage: This is not good...but I'm fine...I can handle this...So this is Outworld, huh? Well, I can see why they want a change of scenery!

"It's silly, of course, but more importantly, it's a hell of a lot of fun, with plenty of above-average gags." -- Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle