Mortal Kombat is a staple in the video game community. The hit game from Midway Games first started attracting players back in 1992, even causing quite a stir due to its gruesome finishing moves, which eventually led to the implementation of the ESRB rating system for video games. Since then, it's continued to cultivate an incredible fanbase that grows year after year. It's even been adapted a number of times as well, with a live-action reboot set to hit the big screen next year. After Midway Games went bankrupt in 2009, the franchise was then acquired by Warner Bros. Entertainment. Following this acquisition, Warner Bros. Animation set out to make their own feature based on the property, and they knocked it out of the park. Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge relishes in its source material and gruesome fatalities, going all-in for an entertaining thrill ride.
The film opens with Hanzo Hasashi (voiced by Patrick Seitz) teaching his son Satoshi (Grey Griffin) about the ways of the scorpion. On their way back to their village, they find it's been ambushed by the Lin Kuei clan, with Sub-Zero (Steve Blum) leading the charge. After discovering his wife died in the massacre, along with his young son not long after, Hanzo takes on Sub-Zero in a gruesome battle that, unfortunately, ends in bloodshed for the former. However, Hanzo is miraculously resurrected in the Netherrealm by a sorcerer named Quan Chi (Darin De Paul), who explains to him he can enact his revenge on Sub-Zero by fighting for him in the 10th annual Mortal Kombat tournament. He agrees to the deal and takes on a new identity in the process to honor his son: Scorpion.
On the Earthrealm, a number of fighters are also prepping for the tournament, but mainly to help defend their realm rather than reaching for glory. Raiden (Dave B. Mitchell) and Liu Kang (Jordan Rodrigues) lead the motley crew of fighters that set out to compete, including newcomers Sonya Blade (Jennifer Carpenter) and an eccentric actor named Johnny Cage (Joel McHale). Although some of them are participating for different reasons -- Sonya to track down Black Dragon's leader Kano (Robin Atkin Downes) and Johnny just believes he's heading to a movie set -- they're all forced to come together in the end to protect the world they call home.
It's evident that director Ethan Spaulding is a massive fan of the franchise, as there's plenty of classic Mortal Kombat one-liners to go around and the fatalities are played up to maximum effect. In regard to the latter, the movie truly holds nothing back when it comes to gore. From skulls and spines ripped straight through heads to arms being ripped out of sockets, the fatalities are sure to satisfy every Mortal Kombat fan. Literally, "Finish him!" holds just as much promise as it does in the games. It's clear the animators went all-in on the action and effects, showing each finishing move in excruciating detail, accompanied by plenty of snaps and cracks to give viewers the full experience.
Mortal Kombat Legends also captures the world of the original video game exceptionally well while still finding subtle ways to stand out. Even the character designs are unique, with each voice actor bringing an abundance of charisma and energy to their respective roles to make for excellent performances. McHale and Carpenter, in particular, have some of the greatest interactions. Sonya's bold and tough-as-nails attitude contrasts well with Johnny's self-absorbed, yet charmingly goofy, personality. Even McHale finds clever ways to slip in cheeky one-liners ("This better not go straight to video!") that bring his own personal comedic flair to Johnny's character.
Despite a slow beginning that skips around to introduce all of its main players, the movie has great pacing once it gets going. It keeps viewers on their toes with plenty of action sequences, fight scenes, and a solid story. Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge is an excellent debut for Warner Bros. Animation's Mortal Kombat movies, taking all of the aspects that fans love most about the franchise and executing them with style. It's a solid start that proves the company knows what they're doing with the property, and hopefully, they have more thrilling installments in store.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge is available now on digital and on 4K Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack starting April 28. It's 80 minutes long and is rated R for strong bloody violence throughout and some language.