“Mortal Kombat” (2021) is a martial arts fantasy film directed by Simon McQuoid and based on the iconic video game series created by Ed Boon and John Tobias. The film serves as a reboot of the Mortal Kombat movie franchise and introduces a fresh take on the brutal world of the games. Known for its bloody combat, colorful characters, and supernatural elements, Mortal Kombat stays true to its roots while updating the story for modern audiences.

The plot centers around Cole Young (played by Lewis Tan), a new character created for the film, who is an MMA fighter unaware of his connection to the mystical tournament known as Mortal Kombat. Cole is soon drawn into a war between Earthrealm and the evil forces of Outworld, led by the sorcerer Shang Tsung (Chin Han). Along the way, he meets iconic characters like Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Jax (Mehcad Brooks), Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), and Kung Lao (Max Huang), who train him to unlock his powers and defend Earth.

One of the most celebrated aspects of the film is its action choreography and its faithful recreations of the game’s signature “Fatalities,” which are violent finishing moves unique to each character. The fight scenes are intense and gory, giving fans of the game what they’ve long hoped to see in a live-action adaptation.

Two of the film’s standout performances come from Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero and Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion, two of the most famous characters in the Mortal Kombat franchise. Their centuries-old rivalry is at the heart of the film’s opening sequence, which sets the tone for the brutal combat that follows.

While the movie received praise for its fight scenes, special effects, and fan service, it was criticized for its uneven plot and lack of character development, especially regarding its protagonist, Cole Young. Fans of the original games also noted the absence of the actual Mortal Kombat tournament, which is expected to play a more prominent role in potential sequels.

Overall, Mortal Kombat (2021) delivers on its promise of visceral, action-packed entertainment with plenty of nods to the source material. While not a critical darling, it succeeded in satisfying longtime fans of the game and introducing the Mortal Kombat universe to a new generation of viewers.