Mortal Kombat – A Halálos Viadal

3/10. With its predominantly Asian cast, this should have been a positive representation for the Asian community in Hollywood. However, the performances from almost all the Asian actors were painfully underwhelming, including Chin Han. The foundational character building in the script, combined with the subsequent performances, were all weak, culminating in an irredeemable collapse. Hiroyuki Sanada, Joe Taslim, and Tadanobu Asano, three genuine East Asian stars, elevated the otherwise lackluster characters with their own personal charisma. Sanada, especially, as a senior figure, carried the weight of lifting up this group of otherwise uninspired Asian actors, only to be met with a sense of lonely futility; he simply couldn't save it. The first fight scene in the entire film was also the most impressive…

So Johnny Cage only made a legs- cameo–are they setting up for a sequel? I'm honestly wondering if they'll even get a chance to make one.The action sequences and level of violence were both a letdown compared to what I was expecting, and all the characters felt like they were trying too hard and acting stilted. The animated movie from last year was way better.

The basic plot revolves around Sub-Zero, speaking Chinese, causing chaos and slaughtering Scorpion's village, who speaks Japanese. Eventually, Scorpion avenges his people and kills Sub-Zero. The protagonist is a foolish young Japanese man, a survivor from Scorpion's village, played by a British actor of Chinese and English descent, according to the cast. Ludi Lin's Liu Kang is a supporting character, barely making an appearance. Raiden and Shang Tsung are also portrayed as Japanese characters. I initially thought the director was Japanese, but it turns out he's Australian, which makes a lot more sense.

Cold avoidance, cold avoidance, even though as an assassin you're really useless, as an air conditioner you're pretty darn cool!