It has been over a quarter of a century since the previous big screen attempt at a Mortal Kombat movie, and while that adaptation wasn't an out-and-out critical dumpster fire (48% on Rotten Tomatoes), it was a decent box office hit ($122 million on an $18 million budget), and is still considered to be one of the better movies-based-on-a-video-game ever made.
That is somewhat damning with faint praise, but now here we are, with another big budget remake, and finally - FINALLY! - the film-makers are truly leaning into what makes Mortal Kombat so gloriously great in the first place: the insanely over the top violence.
The new take seems to centre on MMA fighter Cole Young, accustomed to taking a beating for money, but who is unaware of his heritage - or why an Emperor by the name of Shang Tsung has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero, an otherworldly assassin to hunt him down.
From the trailer below, fans of the game series will recognise a lot of famous characters, including Raiden, Kano, Sonya Blade, Goro, Scorpion, Jax, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Mileena.
The movie is produced by James Wan (The Conjuring, Saw), a horror movie legend, which probably goes some way towards explaining why this version, and this trailer, is backed to the absolute gills with gore.
Seriously, this is a proper, over-18s-only trailer, so if you're in any way squeamish, look away now.
Mortal Kombat is due to arrive in US cinemas in April, with the release date for Irish and UK cinemas likely tied to when cinemas can be safely reopened.
Clip via WB Pictures
Movie fans, assemble! Welcome to the 90th entry in The JOE Film Club Quiz. This week, we are presenting players with stills from 10 movies. They then must select which film the images are from based on three options. Have what it takes? Play below and find out. Name the movie L.A. Confidential The Insider […]
Pretty inspiring actually While Eminem and Elton John might make totally different types of music, it appears that they have been good friends for around two decades. Usually, when two musicians have a close friendship, it happens when they make a similar kind of music or move in the same circles. As is the case […]
His career spanned five decades Veteran actor Matt Clark, who starred in Back to the Future and the TV sitcom Grace Under Fire, has died aged 89. The actor had a long career in the industry, appearing in over 100 productions across five decades. He was a familiar face in many Westerns and classic Hollywood […]