It's Fatalities galore in 2021's Mortal Kombat movie. This film adaptation breaks the "video game films are terrible" stereotype. Critics and viewers still feel a bit divided towards the film's overall story; however, fans of the hit franchise adore the film's faithfulness to the games. The movie celebrates a penchant for gore, dismemberment, and outright brutality.
However, eagle-eyed gamers might also appreciate the new Mortal Kombat film for its nods and easter eggs to the current NetherRealm generation of MK games. In fact, some might say some elements of the film are definitely inspired by NetherRealm's current MK titles. Spoilers ahead!
10 A New Generation Of Fighters
The recent Mortal Kombat film received an new warrior, with newcomer Cole Young. Formerly an acclaimed fighter, Cole resorted to cheap underground matches to make ends meet. However, his dragon birthmark would drag him to the upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament. While theories initially positioned Cole as a reworked Johnny Cage or even a lost Kuai Liang, his yellow-black color scheme hinted his descent from Scorpion.
Interestingly, a new fighter like Cole isn't new to recent Mortal Kombat titles. In NetherRealm's Mortal Kombat X, fans get a 20-year time jump that also introduced a new generation of fighters. These include Cassie Cage (Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage's daughter), Jacqui Briggs (Jax's daughter), Kung Jin (Kung Lao's younger cousin), and Takeda Takahashi (Kenshi's son).
9 Quips Galore
Previous Mortal Kombat films gained the ire of critics for its cheesiness, despite aiming for a semi-serious story. This recent film embraces the potential for unbridled awesomeness despite impossible odds. The new MK film proudly showcases its fighter banter, pre-fight quips, and even post-fight one-liners that would've removed the air of seriousness in other intense action stories.
A Mortal Kombat story isn't complete without catchy one-liners from the Kombatants. This is an approach that gave NetherRealm's games – particularly MK 11 and Injustice 2 – a favorable reception from fans. Players couldn't enough of Kung Lao's arrogance, Kano's potty mouth, and even Sonya's determination. It's wonderful to see the cast embody the same personalities in the recent film.
8 Dramatic Finishers
It's not a Mortal Kombat film without Fatalities, and this movie made them as juicy and dramatic as ever. Jax uses the Head Clap to mash Reiko's head to bits with his new metal arms, while Liu Kang uses his Dragon Bite against Kabal to burn him alive with a fiery dragon. Even Scorpion uses Toasty to scorch Sub-Zero, and Kung Lao uses his Razor's Edge to slice Nitara in half with his hat.
While other film adaptations featured some Signature Moves and Fatalities, the new MK film seemed to give NetherRealm a nod with their more dramatic finishes. In the newer NetherRealm installments, triggering a Fatality will prompt a deliciously brutal cutscene, making the player feel their victory was well-deserved. The Mortal Kombat film lets its characters relish in their supremacy in the same way.
7 Fighting Is A Part Of Daily Life
Some might complain about the recent MK film's pacing, especially since some matches happen arbitrarily. For instance, Kano pesters Sonya into fighting him, and Liu Kang demonstrates his fighting prowess while training Cole. And when the stakes are set, the fighters get separated into individual fights to the death.
The recent MK film may have taken this approach from the games. Classic MK games had a traditional arcade mode that only showed character bios and endings. However, NetherRealm's narrative focus integrated individual fights into their stories. For instance, MK X's retelling of MK1 through MK3 involved Kombatants getting into fights as declared by Shang Tsung. Meanwhile, MK11 outright incorporated fights as an "everyday" part of the storyline. Talking to someone will eventually lead to a fight, and that will somehow get the story going.
6 The Tournament Has Rules
Shang Tsung inevitably reveals himself as the main villain of the new MK film. The cunning sorcerer plans on eliminating Earthrealm's Champions before the Mortal Kombat Tournament. That way, Outworld wins the tenth tournament by default and can conquer Earthrealm without repercussions. This technical approach to the tournament is new to the film franchise, and it's an interesting take to the acclaimed death games.
However, this approach isn't entirely new in the NetherRealm titles. MK X serves as a retelling of the first MK trilogy, but this time with the interference of messages from Raiden in the ruined future of MK Armageddon. At the end of MK X, Shao Kahn launches a full-scale invasion of Earthrealm despite losing his tournaments, breaking the rules of Mortal Kombat and prompting the wrath of the Elder Gods.
5 Mortal Kombat With No Tournament
By the time viewers see the fight between Goro and Cole, they soon realize that the film may never get to the tournament proper. If anything, this film is a precursor to any semblance of Mortal Kombat Tournament in a sequel film. But what's the point of Mortal Kombat if there's no Mortal Kombat Tournament?
However, the NetherRealm games also took this approach. MK X begins as the regular Tournament, which devolves into a series of grudge matches that leads to the invasion of Earthrealm. Likewise, MK 11 begins and ends with a crazy time travel story that reshapes the future of MK films.
4 Death Is Just Another Portal
After the film made do with its obligatory fighter deaths, Shang Tsung declares that death is just another portal. This is a hint towards the appearance of the likes of Noob Saibot and other resurrected fighters. However, this also implies that any MK sequel film will take a NetherRealm approach and potentially involve Revenants, Wraiths, Cyborgs, and other after-death transformations.
This approach does take a page from the MK play book. In older MK games, dead characters meant having to feature new fighters in new games. This led Midway (and eventually NetherRealm) to introduce methods to bring dead fighters back in future games. For instance, some characters in NetherRealm titles get lucky resurrections, get cyberized, or get transformed into Wraiths and Revenants.
3 Absence Means Impending Arrival
Interestingly, the casting choice and subtle details in the new MK film served as a great way to "tease" upcoming major characters in potential future installments, without outright mentioning them. For instance, Mileena's presence implies the presence of both Kitana and her "adoptive" father, Shao Kahn of Outworld. Likewise, Kano's attempted theft of Shinnok's Amulet from Raiden's Temple implies that the Dark God Shinnok is present – or trapped in the amulet. It's possible that Scorpion had help in his return as a Wraith, possibly via the influence of Quan Chi.
Unlike other MK games, the NetherRealm titles are more blatant with their teasing and hinting towards relevant story elements. For instance, in MK11's trailer, Kronika hints towards her ominous plans to manipulate time.
2 Costumes Undergo Evolution
In other Mortal Kombat movies, outfits were pretty static. Thankfully, the new Mortal Kombat film shows some "evolution" across these costumes, giving viewers the opportunity to see characters dress up in some of their iconic suits. For instance, both Scorpion and Sub-Zero have traditional clothes and combat suits. Even Liu Kang has his shirtless and shirted appearances throughout the film.
This costume variation is reminiscent of MK11's approach. Given the diverging timelines, versions of the same character differentiate themselves in terms of new and previous costumes. In addition to separating characters properly, these costumes serve as eye candy to new and old fans alike.
1 Proud Of Their Easter Eggs
Fans of Mortal Kombat will be ready to spot Easter Eggs in the new Mortal Kombat film. For instance, Sonya's investigation into the Mortal Kombat Tournament revealed images and hints towards Nightwolf's Clan and even Kotal Kahn's Aztec Influence. Jax and Sub Zero's warehouse match will spot graffiti in the walls that says Down-Forward-LP – the combo for Sub Zero's Ice Ball!
Players who loved NetherRealm's games will feel right at home with this aspect of the MK film. In MK11 alone, some characters actively hint on funny and weird details about each other from inside and outside the franchise. Johnny Cage alone will spout film references as a nod to his Hollywood stereotype.