Mortal Kombat 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Mortal Kombat 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

A stunning 4K steelbook of a so-so video-game adaptation.

Mortal Kombat is an action-packed martial arts adventure. Based on the videogame by Ed Boon and John Tobias, Mortal Kombat is an entertaining extravaganza. Fun for both newcomers to the Mortal Kombat universe as well as video-game enthusiasts.

The ultimate warrior of the MMA, Cole Young (Lewis Tan), assembles a team of fighters to battle-it-out in a tournament known as Mortal Kombat. Fighting the villains of the Outworld, Cole and other warriors – including the drop-dead-gorgeous Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee) – fight for the future. Can the ruthless enemies be defeated?

The special effects in Mortal Kombat are outstanding. The visual element of the film is one of the key reasons to see it. The special effects are cutting-edge and Warner Bros. clearly invested lots of time, energy, and resources in to the special effects on the film. There are many scenes that are amazing to watch because of the detailed effects-work: mind-blowing.

The production design by Naaman Marshall (Old, Underwater) impresses as well. The background sets and production merits look outstanding and it is obvious the big-budget blockbuster invested most of its budget in to making the atmosphere of the production more immersive. The action is all the more compelling as a result.

The cinematography by Germain McMicking (Berlin Syndrome, True Detective) is engaging: the visual aesthetic provides the film with a sense of world-building and scale that is undeniably impressive. The aesthetic of the cinematography shines and makes the film look like an engaging cinematic experience.

The game is on.

For a special-effects driven production, the costumes by Cappi Ireland (The Rover, Lion ) are more impressive than one would typically expect. As a video-game adaptation, the costumes make the characters appear as one might expect for a live-action version. The efforts are outstanding.

The music by Benjamin Wallfisch (It, Blade Runner 2049) is entertaining and action-packed. The accompanying score helps the action scenes to excel. There isn't much emotional depth to these compositions but one wouldn't expect anything that profound – its a video-game movie.

The screenplay by Greg Russo (Death Note 2, Space Invaders) and Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984, Shang- Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is average at best. There is nothing special about Mortal Kombat from a screenwriting perspective. The story is mundane and the dialogue is often so hokey it seems cartoonish. One would expect better given one of the co- screenwriters was involved on better projects but this is simply an average story. (Perhaps keep expectations lowered – it adapts a knock-em & sock-em video-game).

The directorial debut of Simon McQuoid, Mortal Kombat is entertaining action-packed fun but it is also a film that feels brain-dead at times. The storytelling is so undercooked that audiences will be frustrated by the lack of great characters or thematic elements – unless one just wants to see a film strictly for the action, it's a bit underwhelming.

For additional information on Mortal Kombat and an alternate take, please refer to the review by my colleague Randy Miller III.

Mortal Kombat 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on 4K UHD, Mortal Kombat is presented in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The release provides a native 4K 2160p encode. For additional information on the presentation quality, please refer to the review by my colleague Randy Miller III.

Mortal Kombat 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a Dolby Atmos surround sound presentation. For additional information on the presentation quality, please refer to the review by my colleague Randy Miller III.

Mortal Kombat 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The collectors edition steelbook release includes exclusive collectible packaging. The release is well worth owning for steelbook collectors. The release has a high gloss finish and the quality of the manufacturing was top-notch. The front-art is compelling (and when flipped, the back-art is a compelling alternative to display). A nice edition for fans.

For additional information on the on-disc bonus features, please refer to the review by my colleague Randy Miller III.

Mortal Kombat 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mortal Kombat has some compelling action-scenes and is worth a watch for video-game fans and those invested in the Mortal Kombat lore. However, Mortal Kombat is similarly a feature-film that is full of air: the brains of the film seem dead-on-arrival. Worth a watch but keep expectations low.