Mortal Kombat

 Suddenly, out of nowhere, I found myself with a free evening.  I had forgone Mortal Kombat not long ago and it was itching at me, so I managed to find a showing in the waning showings of the movie and found a seat.  The fact that the line "This can't be right -look they spelled it wrong!" is a spoiler is indicative that the story, dialogue, and acting were constantly a step behind.  This is not to say that this film is not without merit or appeal.  

    This is a film for fans of the video game. The fight choreography is complex and well-executed, which might explain why the acting isn't heralding an Oscar, with casting leaning toward proper martial artists over thespians.  Although there might have been problems with the blending of computer graphics to the cinematography, the CG was a massive asset to the film, and I imagine, bringing the fans of the video game into the gaming experience amid the film.  I kept thinking of the poor guy who was tasked with dressing the frozen scenes, who did a very thorough job of coating everything in "ice".  

    This movie was disappointing for me since I am such a fan of the nineties version of the same title.  The soundtrack of that movie is still an electronic music powerhouse.  I kept comparing this guilty-pleasure movie to the nineties version, rather than letting it be its own vehicle for fight scenes that. like the video game, will enthrall the gore-geeks and knot the britches of the puritans.  Despite this awareness of not comparing the two movies, I can't get past the decision to pass up the iconic Mortal Kombat musical theme and toss it in at the end as a credits roller.

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