Mortal Kombat (2021) Review - Better Than The Game?

Honestly, while watching Mortal Kombat I had one thought running through my head: “This is exactly what I wanted!” From the first frame the film creates a world where every punch, every scream, and even the quiet moments feel loaded with intensity. It reminded me of action films like Ip Man and Flash Point with that raw energy where each fight carries real emotion instead of feeling like empty show-off. This is not only an action movie. It is cinematic chaos where blood, revenge, and honor crash into each other on the same battlefield.

At the same time, the film sometimes loses its rhythm. There are moments where it looks like the story wants to say something bigger but stops halfway. Even so, when the punches land and the blades flash, the screen truly comes alive.

Synopsis

MMA fighter Cole Young has a strange dragon-shaped mark and no idea why he is being hunted by Sub-Zero, the deadly enforcer of Outworld’s ruler, Shang Tsung. Fearing for his family, Cole seeks out Sonya Blade and is led to Raiden’s temple, where Earthrealm’s champions train alongside Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Jax, and Kano. Together they prepare to face Outworld’s fighters and protect Earth before the next Mortal Kombat tournament.

Trailer

First impressions

The story follows martial artist Cole Young. He does not understand why he has a dragon-shaped birthmark on his body. When fighters from another realm attack him, he discovers he is a chosen warrior who must fight to protect Earth in the legendary Mortal Kombat tournament.

Raiden, the thunder god, gathers Earthrealm fighters and puts them through training. That includes Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Sonya, and Kano. They prepare for dangerous enemies from Outworld, especially Sub-Zero and Shang Tsung.

Here is the twist. There is no actual tournament in this movie. It works as a setup, an origin story where the characters search for their powers and their purpose before the real tournament ever happens.

Action

To be honest, Mortal Kombat is built for fight scenes and it delivers. Whenever Sub-Zero appears, the screen practically freezes. His entrance, the ice blade, and the slow-motion beats all look stylish and fierce.

The fights between Scorpion and Sub-Zero gave me goosebumps. When they face each other, it feels like fire and ice crashing together. You can feel the heat of revenge in every strike and the old pain behind every move. It is not just punching. It feels like two haunted souls colliding.

The film shows the violence and blood without hiding it. Every blow, every wound, and every finish carries the kind of intensity that suggests the team wanted it to feel real rather than fake. My only issue is that a few fights end too quickly. It looks like the director cut some moments to keep the story moving. With a little more time, those scenes could have hit even harder.

Characters and feelings

The biggest issue for me is that while the characters look cool, they do not always connect emotionally.

Cole Young is the hero, but he lacks that spark you expect from an iconic Mortal Kombat lead. His fights are solid, yet his emotional journey feels a bit thin.

Liu Kang and Kung Lao look impressive, but they do not get much development. Kano steals scenes with his attitude, one-liners, and bad-boy energy. He brings some needed humor.

Sonya Blade comes off strong, although the story does not explore her enough.
And Sub-Zero is the true star. Whenever he shows up, the atmosphere turns dark and intense. His presence feels not only villainous, but legendary.

Visuals and music

The overall look and sound design are top class. Each fight feels like part of a larger cinematic world. The lighting is dark and moody, which gives every scene a thick atmosphere.

The visual effects shine in many places, especially the ice work. Sub-Zero’s moves and Scorpion’s fire attacks look powerful. The background score is heavy and adds punch to the action.

Positives ✅

• Sub-Zero vs Scorpion fights: pure action gold. Every punch and slow-motion beat is satisfying.
• Fatalities: brutal, bloody, and well executed. Fans will feel rewarded.
• Visual effects: ice, fire, and lightning look strong and convincing.
• Kano’s character: sarcastic lines and reckless charm keep the movie lively.

Negatives ❌

• Thin story: the plot is simple and lacks depth. The emotions are not explored enough.
• No tournament: the biggest disappointment is that the actual Mortal Kombat tournament never happens.
• Cole Young as lead: he does not leave a strong impact.
• Uneven pacing: sometimes too fast, sometimes too slow. A few scenes end abruptly.

Final thoughts

Mortal Kombat is a film you will either love or ignore. There is not much middle ground. For action lovers it feels like a celebration. If you want a strong, layered story, it may not satisfy you. Still, whenever Sub-Zero and Scorpion share the screen, you can feel why you came. The movie is packed with blood, style, and nostalgia.

Rating: 3.8 out of 5

This feels like a promise that the Mortal Kombat universe is only getting started. The story is moving toward something. If the next part adds more emotional depth and gives the real tournament the importance it deserves, this franchise can really take off. When the credits rolled, the action fan inside me was already shouting, “Finish him!”