Welcome to The Rewind, where we dive into the making and legacy of various films from cult classics to award-winning masterpieces. Today, we're exploring the 1995 film adaptation of the popular video game Mortal Kombat from Midway Games.
This film follows a group of martial arts warriors who participate in a tournament to protect Earth from being conquered by evil supernatural forces. Joining to discuss Mortal Kombat are Jason St. Germaine, video editor from Joe Blow, and the host of Nerd Cage Live, a YouTube channel celebrating all things pop culture.
According to Jason, the film continues to grow in cult status even after 30 years. He recalls watching it with great excitement, being a huge fan of the game himself, and appreciating what director Paul W.S. Anderson accomplished.
Jason shares that, initially, video games' adaptations, such as Street Fighter and Mario Brothers, did not receive much positive reception compared to Mortal Kombat, which marked a turning point for video game movies. The industry now sees adaptations like Sonic and Mario greatly excel.
The film's making involved key figures like Larry Kasanov, who convinced Midway that the game was a phenomenon worthy of a movie adaptation. He was pivotal in expanding Mortal Kombat into a broader franchise, including games, films, and series.
Paul W.S. Anderson, who also directed Event Horizon and Resident Evil, was chosen to direct. Being a fan of the game, he aimed to remain faithful to its essence. There was significant involvement from the game's creators, Ed Boon and John Tobias, throughout the production.
The script saw many alterations, with input from cast members like Lyndon Ashby (Johnny Cage), who added iconic lines. Raiden's character, played by Christopher Lambert, became a fan favorite, showcasing his power without needing fight scenes.
Key cast members include Robin Shou as Liu Kang, Bridgette Wilson as Sonya Blade, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as the villain Shang Tsung. Goro's animatronics were a substantial technical achievement despite some CGI limitations.
The film made a significant cultural impact and set a new standard for video game adaptations with its unique soundtrack blending electronic and metal music, echoing its iconic status today.