Mortal Kombat 2: Movie Battle Review

 Welcome to the Reel Fictious Reviews, where film reviews don’t simply take a passive back seat but grab eager readers by the imagination. Instead of reviewing a story, I bring you into a story of my own to discuss the films in review. I hope you find these entertaining and informing! To focus on just the reviews, look for the italicized text. 

Follow movie manager Brad and his string of theatre characters as each story encompasses a different version of the characters in their local theatre, reflective of the film being reviewed. Each review is a story in and of itself. So enjoy and have fun at the movies!

MOVIE KOMBAT!!!!

The Opening

               My back exploded through the solid wood door like a cannonball, turning its thick solid mass into splits and splinters launching in all directions. The movie theatre’s general manager, Dee, she sat still at her desk as placid and peaceful as a cherry blossom pedal gliding upon a gentle breeze, yet … with the fierce power of a hurricane at it’s back. Crashing into the wall of her office I left an extensive dent which marked my hard landing. A dent amongst many others from past meetings.

              “You summoned me”, I bellowed from the ground as I struggled with the words.

              “Yes, I did”, replied Dee. She steadily put down her pen and stood from up her desk, turning and facing me as I lay near lifeless on the ground. Suddenly, celluloid sprung from her hands and wrapped tightly around my neck and waist. “GET OVER HERE”, she screamed as the celluloid retracted to her body, flinging me with it towards her grasps. She was a mountain of a woman, broad in every way possible and thick like a layered wall of brick. Her grip around my throat was powerful. So much so that the back of my eyes felt like they were bulging out in quick sharp bursts of pain while I could see a creeping darkness surround my vision. With the gulf of darkness quickly growing then I knew that blacking out was creeping closer and closer.

              “I heard you discussing Mortal Kombat 2 with some of the patrons earlier”, said Dee, leaning

in close with a low growl amongst her words. “How DARE you discuss your personal views. What makes you think you have the right to talk in my domain? You are but a simple servant in this tower of tales. Only I may express such views, for I know what they want to hear. I know what they want to see. What do you have to offer?”

              “I …. I am…”, I tried to reply amongst the bloody gurgling in my mouth and throat, my words fighting through her finger’s grip upon my throat. “I am …. the true … Movie Master. And my views … aren’t reviews. They’re … they are … “

              Dee’s eyes squinted hard and began glowing a subtle red. Her focus was no longer on what I said next, for she didn’t care. Her mind sharpened to what she would do to break me, what ways would entertain her the most before throwing me back into the infernal plane of the Hellscape Kitchen from whence I came.

              “My views are simply, my views. Geeky discussion to enjoy with fellow fans of film. That’s … that’s all.”

              Dee’s eyes suddenly shot wide open and despite all possibility, her grip around my throat grew even tighter. She was closing in on a flawless meeting. But instead she whipped my body to her side and took a strong step forward. Thrusting with all her might her arm came back around and launched me into the wall beside the hole I had made upon my entrance.

              “DO BETTER”, she screamed as my skull crushed against the cemented wall.

The Review

              Suddenly a spark of life was lit within my mind. Dee grabbed my collar and lifted my body from the rubble surroundings. As her momentum carried my body upward then I used that energy to whip my arms up and together. My hands came together in a strong clasping ball landing in between her own hands that were gripping my shirt collar. With a powerful thrust I freed myself from her grasp and in one smooth motion threw myself up against the wall behind me, planting my body snuggly against the sturdy surface. I lifted my legs in place right in front of her chest and pushing my back against the hard wall, my legs sprung out like a shotgun blast against her body sending her flying across the room. Her body crashed into the wall, shaking the entire building to its core.

              “Go on then”, said Dee, immediately able to speak clearly after such a strong blow as if it were no more than a mere playful peg to the chest. “You so boldly have something to say, then tell me, what did you think of Mortal Kombat 2”, asked Dee.

              “No problem”, I replied, as I squared my body up in a strong fighting stance with my left hand in the forefront and my right standing at its back, ready for counter strikes or sudden guarding.

              “The movie was exactly what it was meant to be, a 1990s cheesy video game brought to life in all of it’s bloody and gory glory to those who grew up with it. It is an update to an already amazing 1990s film … and it’s much less successful sequel … continuing the story from the first Mortal Kombat remake from 2021. While the first remake in 2021 didn’t exactly land right for me, it turns out that it was a great film to set up the tournament style story for this film that the original game is iconic for. While the first film in 2021 had many iconic characters, it was lacking in any real tournament structure and many other iconic characters weren’t present. But the tournament styled story-line from this film was a perfect reflection of the classic game along with its unforgiving nature in regard to it’s characters. Fatalities were brutal and on point, you could almost feel the final moves and would cringe at it playing out before you … or, as Sonya Blade says in the film … “It’s called “Mortal” Kombat for a reason”.

              Dee launched from the wall in an explosive charge, throwing her right knee high and up to my face where my left arm blocked her attack, giving myself an opening for my right hand to launch a counter-attack.

              “THAT IS SO VAGUE”, screamed Dee as she began her own counter to my right jab, attempting a large right haymaker swinging wide and out for maximum momentum and damage. “DO BETTER”, she screamed again. “What about the casting”, she asked.

              “IT WAS PERFECT”, I screamed while dodging the face crushing haymaker from her right. Taking the opportunity to get in close I moved my right arm up and around her neck with the rest of my body following through with my dodge and rearing my head up and under her right arm, creating a strong vice grip around her upper body with my own body. With that I thrusted myself backwards and slammed her into the wall behind us, going in face first.

              “The original cast from the 2021 film all came back, which is always a good start for a sequel. But, more importantly, the sequel got a major upgrade with Karl Urban stepping up as the iconic cocky American movie martial artist Johnny Cage. While he isn’t known for his on-screen fighting skills, so much so as for his commanding presence, seeing the use of CGI or stunt doubles fighting for him only adds to the cheesy nature that comes from the source material. Karl Urban as the fame soaked Hollywood playboy wannabe is perfectly matched “cheese”, and I loved every second of it! Plus . . . I will literally watch anything Karl Urban does . . . he really has fun with his characters.”

              Gritting her teeth while trying to push her face off of the wall, she strained her eyesight to look down and me. “Not … bad … “, she began to say before shooting her right knee straight into my stomach, thus causing me to release my grip on her body. She immediately jumped back and took a fighting stance while I quickly recovered with a deep gulp of air.

              “Anything else, Mr. Movie Master”, asked Dee while she began a charge at me with arms at the ready to strike.

              “Yeah, actually”, I replied while squaring up once more to stand my ground with strikes and counterstrikes.

Shao Kahn (2026)

               “Shao Kahn is depicted perfectly just like you’d expect from the games. While coming off a bit Thanos like . . . coming into every situation and able to overtly dominate anyone and anything . . . you can tell that as the film goes on his power and abilities wane more and more. Just like the final boss fight of the video game but extended throughout the film. And all of the major fighting moves, fatalities, and catch phrases were perfectly placed and executed from the games to the screen, making it something truly special to experience. Especially after growing up with the franchise through the 90s. And not to mention . . . the possibility for a third film!”.

              After a few minutes of strikes, counter strikes, all carrying the two throughout the small room and creating crater after crater upon the floor and walls, the two finally found themselves separated. Dee stood by the far wall opposing the doorway that I flew in from earlier, and myself standing in the doorway itself. Both breathing heavy, being bloody and bruised, they both stood for a second of silence.

              “Very well, your views are indeed, your own views”, Dee finally replied breaking the silence. “However, this is still my domain, movie manager, and you have no right to parlay with the patrons of his temple of mine. When I’m done with you, your tongue will be nye and void. Henceforth and you shall be brought low to the Hellscape Kitchen working only until I am satisfied with you. No talking, no joking, and no fighting . . . just managing and cooking!”

              “You can try, Lord Dee . . . but you aren’t the only one with awakened abilities”, I replied before revealing my secret. Suddenly, behind me, two old fashioned reels appeared to glide in from both sides of the doorway, out in the hallway. They remained floating in the air simply awaiting instruction, slowly spinning in place as if playing a film. “These are my Righteous Reels . . . . and it isn’t “movie manager” . . . . it’s “Movie Master!”

              Suddenly, Dee throws out quick whips of celluloid from her hands once more to catch me off guard and finish me off. “GET OVER HERE, AND DO BETTER”, she screamed once more, thrusting her celluloid towards me. It’s funny . . . she must not have even seen the grin I was wearing beyond the blood around my lips.

              The reels behind me suddenly shot ahead in front of me and began spinning so fast they appeared as solid discs. With that the celluloid was caught in the spinning of the film reels and once they tasted the longs strips of reel then they began spinning faster and faster. Within seconds Dee was pulled in toward the reels and her hands came to be locked up against each of the reels. Before she could react, both reels shot back from her hands and spun around her. Round and around, over and over, speeding around her body at lightning speed finally coming to an end and resting upon both sides of her. They tightened the celluloid to an inhuman taught level, yet … from behind the strips of celluloid covering her face and body, blood dripping from every crease that could be found, pooling around her brows and nose, you could hear a low growl from behind the shadows of celluloid surrounding her.

              “FINISH ME”, I heard her scream.

              With that I stood up and wiped the blood from around my mouth, looking around the room and taking in the tense meeting I just had with my theatre’s general manager, Dee. Everything we discussed, all of the movie reviewing we did, and how well the meeting had gone. But now it was time to get back to work. With that I raised my right hand and with a snap of my fingers, plus the swagger of a smile, I ended the meeting.

              “That’s a wrap”, I said. With that the two film reels tightened to unstable levels causing Dee’s body to explode into a bloody puddle piled upon the ground and splattered throughout the room. “Nice . . . FATALITY”, I said, before walking back to the Hellscape Kitchen to finish my shift.  

The Closing

              Vin, the theatre’s head manager, and Jessica, a fellow Hellscape Kitchen manager, both stood guard of the Kitchen fighters manning the grills and prep stations. Vin stood stoically amongst the steam of the deep friers, his glasses refracting the light surrounding him, shielding all from where his gaze came to rest. Jessica held her staff at the ready, prepared to take on any and all who opposed her word. Both were forces to be reckoned with, both had had their hand in delivering me to Dee’s office in the manner with which I entered upon her word. Yet now, victorious in my meeting with Dee, they shun the notion of my power.

              “So, you were victorious then”, asked Vin, his arms crossed and head tilted slightly down.

              “I was . . . Movie Kombat has concluded for now, and my views were heard”, I replied.

              “Well then, is there anything else you’d like to add”, asked Jessica, loosening her grip on the bow staff in preparation for a swift strike or sturdy defense. “I’m sure if there is then Vin can relay it to Dee”.

              “Don’t speak for me, Jessica”, replied Vin sharply. With that I gave Vin an even sharper so as to check his tone. “But yes . . . I um . . . I can bring it to Dee, if you have anything else”.

              The flames from the grill raising and twirling in the air through a violent dance before dying back down, and I thought it over. “Yes, there is something else, actually. With regards to the Mortal Kombat 2 meeting something I didn’t have time to say to Dee was what would’ve enhanced the movie even more.”

              “Yeah, and what would that be” asked Vin.

              “A little warm up before the movie itself, I guess”, I replied. “Watching the original 1990s Mortal Kombat film would be a good start. Its just a damn good 90s film and can really compliment the experience of this film. I’d avoid the original sequel though, if you value your time. However, there are a few animated Mortal Kombat films that have recently come out that would help paint a more well-rounded picture of the characters and stories. And just to get in the feeling of a great tournament style fighting film, there is Bloodsport (1988), The Quest (1996), and even Tekken (2010).

              “Oh, is that all”, replied Jessica with a slight sneer. “Because I heard that Mortal Kombat 2 . . . wasn’t even worth it”.

              My eyes immediately shot to the side and I stared over at Jessica, watching her firm her grip on the staff and preparing for what she knew came next . . . .

              “BRADLEY CRAWFORD . . . . . . . . . . JESSICA STAFF . . . . . . . FIGHT”!!!

MOVIE KOMBAT