Spoilers for Mortal Kombat (2021) to follow.
Mortal Kombat is back! Whether viewed on the big screen, or more likely on the stream screen, no doubt this is the Mortal Kombat reboot real fans have been waiting nearly twenty years to see. Though it is still too early to say whether the venture is a financial success or not, there is a real possibility it is the launch of a new franchise - and quite possibly another cinematic universe. Fans are falling over themselves arguing the differences between the reboot and the original. One thing is glaringly certain though, the Raiden of MK21 was severely underutilized and uncharacterized compared to the Raiden of MK95.
The first Mortal Kombat movie shadow kicked into theatres in 1995 and has since become a legitimate cult classic. It was one of the best video game adaptations of a generation, only now being beaten out in contemporary conversations by the likes of 2016’s Warcraft, 2018’s Tomb Raider, 2019’s Detective Pikachu and last year’s Sonic the Hedgehog. The legacy and impact of MK95 was never out of the conversation in any plan to adapt a video game to movie for nearly two decades. So much so that Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema decided they could no longer disregard the demand for a real revival. The 1997 sequel and subsequent productions need not be mentioned.
Naturally, questions arose amongst the fandom as to how best to bring Mortal Kombat back. Would they try to recreate the ‘95 version? Or would they try to realize a vision straight out of the video games? The introduction of Cole Young was a new addition. The revaluation and implementation of Raiden was another curious decision – thus, a Tale of Two Raidens.
Charisma v. Characterization
Lord Raiden is the lightning god of the Mortal Kombat universe tasked with protecting Earthrealm from its many enemies. He is Earthrealm’s wise mentor, guide, and coach. In MK95, he is portrayed by the affable Christopher Lambert, who outright steals the show. In MK21 he is played by Tadanobu Asano, who might best be recognized in the West as Hogun in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or as the villain of 47 Ronin, opposing Keanu Reeves.
Whether due to Christopher Lambert’s own peculiarities or to deliberate direction, the Raiden of MK95 is way more charismatic and personable than Asano’s take in MK21. From this, it was almost as if MK21’s Raiden was a pessimist. He did not seem very enthusiastic about the remaining champions brought before him. He knew full well that Shang Tsung was scheming to cheat, and yet he did little to nothing to protect or collect the dragon-marked fighters of Earthrealm. Luckily, Raiden got to Jax in time to save his life. Otherwise, his only plan was to send out Liu Kang and Kung Lao “to do their best.”
Clearly, they were neither quick enough nor organized enough to succeed. Where was he for the rest of Earth’s champions? How many other better fighters died at the hands of Shang Tsung’s minions, or against each other (as evident by Kano’s acquisition of the mark). If he was so upset by the bottom of the barrel fighters he was forced to work with, why did he not do more to make a better team much earlier? Lambert’s version was enjoyably sarcastic and witty in addition to being an active member of the team and unquestionably doing his duty to Earthrealm.
Smells Like Team Spirit?
Neither Raidens could fight in the tournament, though powerful an ally they may be. While Lambert’s Raiden coached and encouraged his team, Asano’s was negligent. Where was he during Cole and the rest of the team’s training? Asano’s Raiden was not the source of knowledge and teaching about the tournament, that role was served by Sonya Blade and Jax in their conspiracy theory-styled mobile home. Raiden was not a trainer.
The team was overseen by Kung Lao and Liu Kang. It was their efforts that unlocked Kano’s power, and it was they who focused the team on the seriousness of the tournament. Sure, Raiden taught those two, but if he felt their overall chances were so thin, should he not have gone in the ring with them? The one time he did intervene was to eject Cole from the temple. The result of which had Cole face Prince Goro one on one.
Though this challenge successfully unleashed Cole’s inner arcana, Raiden had to have had a better way to do that rather than putting innocent people’s lives in mortal jeopardy. What if Goro killed Cole and his wife and daughter? That is not a well-thought-out plan. Raiden seemed to have given up before the whole conflict even started. His plans were reactive and haphazard, rather than proactive and tactical. All of it amounted to a deadbeat Raiden.
Maybe They Just Didn’t Know Where He Fit?
The Raiden of MK95 was woven throughout the film. He was there to introduce the characters (and the audience) to the new world. He was there to criticize them, to encourage them, and to celebrate with them. He was even there at the very end standing shoulder to shoulder against the even greater threat of Emperor Shao Khan launching his illegal invasion. Liu Kang was the hero of MK95’s tournament, but Raiden was the star.
In MK21, Raiden is somewhere other than helping. His main use was merely as a teleportation device. All he really did was move characters to and fro, like a cup and ball trick. If MK95 can make Raiden a central figure of the movie, how come MK21 decided not to? Why were all the major functions of Raiden given to other characters? Raiden was grossly underutilized in this movie. Hopefully, he gets better treatment in the sequels.
If the new Mortal Kombat proves to be a lucrative venture, more will come. If the franchise is reestablished, then there will be better chances for Tadanobu Asano to bring Raiden to the forefront of the series, as he should be.