Mortal Kombat poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Christopher Lambert, Robin Shou, Linden Ashby, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Bridgette Wilson ... see more see more... , Talisa Soto , Chris Casamassa , François Petit , Trevor Goddard , Keith Cooke , Hakim Alston , Kenneth Edwards , John Fujioka , Daniel Haggard , Sandy Helberg , Gregory Paul Martin , Steven Ho , Greg McKinney , Peter Jason , Lambert , Lloyd Kino , Ashby , Bridgette Wilson-Sampras , Gregory McKinney , Bridgette L. Wilson , Mikal Moore , Gregory Mc Kinney , Brice Stephens , Frank Welker , Ed Boon

Three reluctant fighters are drafted for an intergalactic martial-arts tournament that will determine the fate of the human race in this special-effects-driven adventure. Inspired by the popular and n... read more read more...otoriously bloody video game, Mortal Kombat provides a semblance of a plot as an excuse for rampant mayhem, with the evil alien forces challenging humanity to a kung fu battle to decide the Earth's fate. Following the failure of several previous human defenders, mankind's last chance lies with egotistical action film star Johnny Cage (Linden Ashby), tough but beautiful special agent Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson), and vengeance-minded hero Liu Kang (Robin Shou). Under the guidance of inspirational sorcerer Lord Rayden (Christopher Lambert), this unlikely trio faces off against a series of terrifying alien adversaries. As in the video game, the martial arts battles are the true point, with standard fighting combining with magical touches supplied by computer-generated effects. The dramatic content often resembles a Saturday morning cartoon, but Jonathan Scott Carlson's appropriately dank production design and the visually spectacular battle sequences made the film a hit amongst younger fantasy-action fans, spawning a sequel and a TV show. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Flixster Users

55% liked it

227,667 ratings

Critics

34% liked it

29 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson

Release Date: August 18, 1995

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: August 26, 1997

Get It:

Stats: 9,277 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Mortal Kombat Logo Sonya Blade Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero Sonya Blade Mortal Kombat Scorpion Scorpion fromMortal Kombat Goro Sub-Zero vs Scorpion Onaga Mileena Mortal Kombat Mortal Kombat MKA Mileena
Upload a Photo | View All Mortal Kombat Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (9,277)

  • skeletonking101
    January 29, 2012
    skeletonking101
    I've played 4 MK games, MKII, MKIII, MK Deadly Alliance, and MKI, and though I don't think the games are incredibly good like everyone else says, I will say, it was good for a movie idea. Aaaaaannnnddddd...... The movie was just okay. The acting is cheesily entertaining, and some... read more of the action scenes are good. The only nitpicks I have for the film is that, while some of the effects look really good like Goro, Scorpions eyes and skull face, and the soul stealing thing that Shang Tsung does, most of the other effects look really bad or look really dated, like Reptiles CG form, the spear that comes out of Scorpions hand, or the electricity effects on Raiden. Another Nitpick is that a lot of the action scenes go on a little too long, like 5 minutes too long. Most fighting movies have fights up to about 4 to 5 minutes, most of the fights in this movie, go on for about 9 minutes to 11, and it gets really boring after a while. But its a decent movie overall and its entertaining to watch with friends, even if it is just to make fun of it.
  • fb729949618
    August 7, 2011
    fb729949618
    I just get the feeling that this movie was completely rushed. It seemed cool as a little kid, but looking back now it just seems all too cheesy.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    June 27, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Rewatching this recently brought back a lot of memories. The film based on the popular video game of the same name looks dated by today's standards with cheap dialogue, special effects and mediocre acting. But boy is it still a fun film to watch. Mortal Kombat focuses on a tourna... read morement where the best martial arts fighters are assembled on a secret island to battle in hand to hand combat in order to win and determine the fate of the human race. Paul W.S Anderson first video game to film adaptation (he would later helm the Resident Evil films) is a good acting yarn, that is meant to be harmless fun. On that end, the film succeeds. Mortal Kombat can be seen as a guilty pleasure. The film has good actin, cheesy one liners and it's one of those films that you can't take too seriously. As a person who has played the game, I thought that this was a good, entertaining film that fairly respected the game. Mortal Kombat, though an average action film is a respectable video game to film adaptation. The film is non stop excitement and thought it won't win any Oscars, it does a great job at keeping the feel of the game. But it does feel like a B movie by today's standards. Mortal Kombat is a mindless action film that is a lot of fun, and it manages to keep the best elements from the game. Mortal Kombat is an entertaining guilty pleasure that though dated is a lot of fun to watch.
  • FrizzDrop
    June 22, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    When the best part of a movie is the opening credits' theme song, you know you're watching none other than Mortal Kombat. Based from a simplistic video game from the eighties, Kombat can be exactly compared to the original game. That, in itself, is the main problem with this film... read more. When the thing you're basing something off of is as lame and uninspiring as a game of bingo, it should not be a motion picture. The premise is stupid, the characters are annoying, the special effects and backgrounds are embarrassing for the time it was made, and the fighting sequences, though numerous, are as boring as watching two people play Mortal Kombat. Kudos go to casting Robin Shou , because who doesn't want to see the guy from Beverly Hills Ninja and The Jungle Book play yet another stereotypical Asian role. It was bland and boring, but fun to watch with a group and redub.
  • phubbs1
    May 14, 2011
    phubbs1
    The first and best of the 'MK' movies, I saw this on cinematic release and thought it was slightly OK, apon watching it again I still feel its slightly OK, extremely hokey and tacky but it holds its own to a degree. At the time it was either this or 'Street Fighter' with JCVD and... read more MK won hands down. Its basically a continuous setup for various fights between popular characters, unfortunately the fights are very basic and don't even look too good haha but they were fine for the time and the characters do look good, Scorpion being the best hehe
    The look is dark and kinda goth with some glorious location backdrops and it does match well against the game. It is very gentle stuff but it does the job well, which is rare for a computer game film. Tagawa and Lambert make the film really with some hammy ass performances but they do inject some laughs and a reasonable hint of realism into it and give it a much needed bite.
    Best to forget about the Goro puppet creation, not bad though, good dated 90's techno soundtrack too hehe.
    'FIGHT!!'
  • cosmo313
    August 21, 2010
    cosmo313
    When I first saw this, it blew my mind. Nowadays: it's not bad, but it's not great either. I expect more out of an adaptation of Mortal Kombat, but this one's pretty okay considering. It should have been R, but the way they get around it is forgiveable. I like the humor. I wasn't... read more expecting it, and it doesn't make the film a comedy, but levity is good. The effects are sure dated, but this is still an okay film.
  • 3niR
    June 5, 2010
    3niR
    I watched this really long time ago. Don't even remember half of it but I do remember of liking it. The story line was weird. Obviously the movie itself was weird. But I do like playing the games ;)
  • ythelastman89
    March 22, 2010
    ythelastman89
    In no way is this a good movie by any means, but it is a hilariously fun experience. The acting is over the top and cheesy most of the time, certainly unintentional on the actors part. The directing is incredibly horrible and almost childish, Paul W.S. Anderson doing something li... read moreke Shopping and then doing this is almost odd (I know he has some talent somewhere). My favorite aspects include the three major villains that essentially steal the show. Shang Tsung is the epitome of every kung fu villain thrown in to one. Kano is just about the most disgusting bonehead of a sidekick. Last but not least is Goro, the ultimate fighting machine with six arms to kill and crush. The other side characters like Sub-Zero, Reptile and Scorpion are fun to watch as well, but were incredibly under-used. It's extremely dumb and should only be watched on a sarcastic note.
  • FilmFanatik
    February 23, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    Definitely a fun movie, but it doesn't hold up very well.
  • stormyweather980
    August 15, 2009
    stormyweather980
    Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya must put an end to the likesof Goro and Shang Tsung before it's too late. On their way they will encounter familiar adversaries such as Scorpion and Sub-Zero. With the help of Rayden, they just might have a chance to win the tournament and take on... read more Goro and Shang Tsung.
    "Mortal Kombat" is based on the video game and if you see the movie, you'll see the similarities. The only difference is that there's not any teams in the video game. Just about everything in the movie is awesome. It has good special effects, a good plot, and best of all, awesome fighting scenes. Some parts and effects stand out from the others such as Scorpion throwing the whip and saying "Get Over Here." The music is also top notch which is perfect for the movie.

    If you're a fan of the Mortal Kombat video games or if you like fighting movies, I would recommend getting "Mortal Kombat." It's one of the best fighting movies out there. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. I've always been a fan, though not a huge fan of the video game series, but I love both the movies! And that Techno Syndrome song had me dancing even though I don't dance!

View All Mortal Kombat Reviews

Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady
September 22, 2008
Leonard Klady, Variety

Where others have sunk in the mire of imitation, director Paul Anderson and writer Kevin Droney effect a viable balance between exquisitely choreographed action and ironic visual and verbal counterpoint. Full Review

Stephen Holden
May 20, 2003
Stephen Holden, New York Times

The most intriguing is a glassy-eyed follower whose right hand shoots out a hissing reptile that can extend itself for miles. Exotic creatures like these make watching Mortal Kombat feel like being in... Full Review

Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

Likely to satisfy only the core audience already hooked on video and arcade games, and even that's not a sure thing. Full Review

Laura Evenson
January 1, 2000
Laura Evenson, San Francisco Chronicle

The movie has everything a teenage boy could want... Everything, that is, but an interesting plot, decent dialogue and compelling acting. Full Review

Sean Means
January 1, 2000
Sean Means, Film.com

The movie that most nearly approximates a video game: lots of action, no plot, eye-catching computer effects and a dollop of violence.

John Hartl
January 1, 2000
John Hartl, Film.com

Just looks and plays a lot like Johnny Mnemonic, Double Dragon and other video-game-inspired, mayhem-filled messes.

R. L. Shaffer
May 16, 2011
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD

Hardly award-worthy entertainment, and pretty visually dated, but probably one of the better video game movies ever made comparatively. Full Review

John J. Puccio
April 11, 2011
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...a one-note gimmick that comes with everything but a joystick for the viewer to control the robotic characters. Full Review

April 7, 2010
TV Guide's Movie Guide

We'll concede that four-armed Prince Goro is a hoot, Christopher Lambert looks fabulous in a flowing white wig, and Talisa Soto, who plays some kind of princess, can lord it over us anytime. Full Review

Kim Newman
April 7, 2010
Kim Newman, Empire Magazine

All the head-crushing and thigh-flexing doesn't compensate for the monotony of a story that simply traipses from one combat (sorry, kombat) to the next. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • DOA: Dead or Alive
    DOA: Dead or Alive (80%)
  • Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
    Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (82%)
  • Street Fighter
    Street Fighter (83%)
  • Hellboy Animated: The Phantom Claw
    Hellboy Animated: The Phantom Claw (33%)

More Movies like Mortal Kombat

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Shang Tsung: Your soul is mine!
    • Shang Tsung: Fatality.
    • Liu Kang: Chan chose his own path. Every man is responsible for his own destiny. SHANG TSUNG KILLED MY BROTHER!
    • Sonya Blade: A handful of people on a leaky boat are gonna save the world.
    • Princess Kitana: To win your next match, use the element which brings life.
    • Shang Tsung: Let Mortal Kombat begin.
Submit a Fact | View All

Mortal Kombat : Watch Free on TV

Mortal Kombat Trivia

  • Which movie has this tagline : " Kombat Begins " ?  Answer »
  • What movie is this quote from, "...a handful of people on a leaky boat are going to save the world.."  Answer »
  • True or False: James Remar was auditioned for Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat Annihilation and Christopher Lambert was interested in reprising the role of Rayden but was committed to Beowulf.  Answer »
  • in mortal kombat who is Liu Kang the desendent of?  Answer »
More Mortal Kombat Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Mortal Kombat Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Mortal Kombat to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Mortal Kombat News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

necrosharpe Skin by necrosharpe
358 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins