Mortal Kombat: The Movie was released 25 years ago

In 1995 - one of the most controversial and popular video game franchises got a live action film to its name - MORTAL KOMBAT. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and based on the fighting game series of the same name created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, the movie dealt largely with the plot of the first game - where a group of martial artists battle in a tournament that will decide the fate of Earthrealm.

“Mortal Kombat “(1995) Official Trailer
Despite the simple plot, slight deviations from its source material, and the campy comedic moments and dialogue it had, the movie became number at the box office at the time it was released - earning over $122 Million worldwide and becoming a cult classic and is arguably considered one of the better video game based films of all time.

With a cast led by Robin Shou as Liu Kang, Linden Ashby as Johnny Cage, Bridgette Wilson as Sonya Blade, Talisa Soto as Kitana, Christopher Lambert as Rayden, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Shang Tsung, Mortal Kombat was a hit thanks to primarily to its martial arts performance, faithfulness to the main story, and that amazing techno song that serves as the theme song that’s catchy to listen to this day.


Techno Syndrome (Mortal Kombat)
With a cult following that’s still active to this day, the Mortal Kombat film stands as a perfect example of how to adapt a video game concept and make it into a movie. Despite getting a horrible sequel (Mortal Kombat Annihilation *cough cough*), the film’s legacy was enough to influence the modern era of Mortal Kombat games by NetherRealm Studios - with Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa reprising his role as Shang Tsung for Mortal Kombat 11!

If you haven’t seen this movie, or the animatronic Goro, you absolutely need to. Go and watch it... FIGHT!

47 Ronin: First Trailer sees Keanu Reeves and Japanese all-star assemble gather for a samurai adventure

Long delayed and finally seeing the light at the end of this year, Keanu Reeves will return to the big screen again in action form by the end of the year with a westernized adaptation of the real-life samurai legend of the forty-seven ronin, with the title of the movie "47 Ronin". Directed by Carl Erik Rinsch, the film sees Reeves star as a half-Japanese, half-British warrior named Kai, who joins the 47 Ronin in a quest to avenge the death of their master by Lord Kira and defeat anyone who stands in their way.

The film also stars a plethora of Japanese talent who have proven themselves with several Hollywood films, including Pacific Rim's Rinko Kikuchi as Mizuki and the great Hiroyuki Sanada as Kuranosuke Oishi, who is the leader of the Ronin. Sanada's no stranger to Samurai movies either, having starred alongside Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe in the 2003 film The Last Samurai, and also co-starring with Hugh Jackman this year in The Wolverine. Legendary Mortal Kombat and Tekken actor Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa also co-stars as the Shogun, while Battleship and Thor actor Tadanobu Asano plays Lord Kira.

Movie Review: Tekken

Once again, I was treated to another typical video game movie adaptation.


Movie: Tekken

Starring: Jon Foo, Ian Anthony Dale, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Kelly Overton, Luke Goss

Directed By: Dwight H. Little

For the life of me, I should have already learned my lesson on watching these flicks given the recent streak of flops and missteps, but I couldn't help myself with seeing the Tekken movie, based on one of my favorite brawling games of all time. Yes, Bandai Namco actually gave the go signal to a studio called Crystal Sky Productions to produce a live action movie based on their hit mixed martial art 3D fighting game franchise, and how did that fare out? Not too well I'm afraid, but I got to give the makers of the movie their just dues for trying to make a film based on the series alone. I'll get more into the details as I roll along with this review. For now, just make sure to brace yourselves for some spoilers.