(Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
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(“Mortal Kombat II” trailer courtesy of Warner Bros.)
“Mortal Kombat II” is not good.
It is very lackluster.
However, it is better than the 2021 “Mortal Kombat” because of improved visuals and graphics.
Nevertheless, thanks to its built-in fan base of gamers, expect big numbers for “Mortal Kombat II” at the box office.
Children of the 1980s and 1990s truly lived the evolution of video games.
From Atari, Nintendo, Sega Genesis and Sony PlayStation, video games went from primitive looking to realistic in a couple of decades.
Mortal Kombat became one of the most popular video games of the 1990s, with kids everywhere screaming “Finish him” with the game when their opponent was near their end.
Likewise, true movie fans should tell filmmakers and movie executives to “finish them” regarding the “Mortal Kombat” movie franchise.
Unfortunately, “Mortal Kombat II” is more of a snooze fest than a cinematic sensation.
Like “The Hunger Games” franchise, in “Mortal Kombat II,” different groups must compete to the death from time to time.
But unlike “The Hunger Games,” the realm that wins the tournament in “Mortal Kombat II” rules over the other realms of the world.
However, if a realm wins 10 tournaments in a row, they have permanent dominion over the other realms forever.
While competition is great when done in good faith, it could lead to oppression when one group wants to physically dominate all other groups in perpetuity.
RegalMag.com often criticizes Hollywood for its repetition and predictability, especially with action movies and franchises, because filmmakers often focus on the same issue of good versus bad, oppression versus freedom or violence versus peace.
But Hollywood probably focuses on those themes because they are true to mankind.
History proves that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
One group will subjugate another group so that they can maintain or enhance their power.
Wars are often not fought for righteousness’ sake, but to expand one group’s dominion over another.
Although the powerful might have the advantage on paper, those with less power might often overcome their oppressors through faith and fight, even if their foe is far fiercer than they are.
For the Earth realm’s sake, its champions better have more fight than their foe because they find themselves at a major disadvantage.
And every realm will find itself up a creek without a paddle if the Earth realm cannot overcome Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford), a superior enemy who has malevolent plans for the world.
And although Shao Khan is already extremely powerful, if he can get his hands on a special something that has come up missing, he will become all-powerful.
“Mortal Kombat II” has its requisite fight scenes.
It has the aforementioned good versus evil storyline.
But none of that really stands out.
What stands out in “Mortal Kombat II” are the characters Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) and Kano (Josh Lawson).
Thankfully, Kano is back as the irritating jerk that he was in the 2021 “Mortal Kombat.”
His funny and annoying commentary is one of two things that make “Mortal Kombat II” bearable.
Kano calls one evil sorcerer-looking character Pennywise from the “It” movie franchise.
But his annoying ways become even more sinister in “Mortal Kombat II” as Kano becomes just as two-faced as irritating.
Although Kano is not a very likable dude, Johnny Cage is.
In a nod to the video game’s 1990s roots, Johnny Cage is the ultimate Hollywood star from three decades ago.
But society has changed just as much as video games have changed in 30 years.
And what was cool back in the late 20th century, and who was cool, are old relics in 2026.
But what Johnny Cage sees as a washed-up career in Hollywood, the champions see a fighter who still possesses the talent to take on a seemingly unbeatable foe.
And Johnny Cage is probably the only champion who could make fighting for the fate of humanity a comical affair.
Despite the failings of “Mortal Kombat II,” it is good to see Mehcad Brooks, who portrays Jax Briggs, shine in a franchise movie that will make big bucks at the box office.
The brother might not be as well-known as some of his peers, like Michael B. Jordan or Tyrese Gibson, but he has the same acting chops that they have.
His past acting credits include “Glory Road” and “Tyler Perry’s A Fall From Grace.”
But seeing him shine in a big-budget Hollywood film is a good look.
Unfortunately, as a whole, “Mortal Kombat II” is not that good of a look, and filmmakers should just finish the franchise like it would an opponent in the video game.
REGAL RATINGS
FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT
THREE CROWNS=GOOD
TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE
ONE CROWN=POOR
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