FILM REVIEW: MORTAL KOMBAT II (15) ESP RATING: 3.5/5
- ESP Online
- May 20
- 3 min read
A gloriously ridiculous nostalgia trip that understands exactly what fans came for.
When I was younger, me and my best mate spent countless hours playing Mortal Kombat. We’d sit there arguing over who got to be Scorpion, whilst button-mashing our way through fights. So it was a no-brainer inviting him to watch Mortal Kombat 2 with me. For both of us, it was a wonderful dose of nostalgia.
We’d watched the 2021 reboot a few years ago, and while it was enjoyable enough, there were so many missed opportunities. It mostly survived on the sheer entertainment value of Josh Lawson’s Kano. Thankfully, this sequel feels like a film that genuinely listened to the criticism aimed at the first movie – and it’s noticeably stronger because of it.
Directed once again by Simon McQuoid, this finally gives audiences the one thing everyone expected from the beginning: an actual Mortal Kombat tournament.
This time around, Earthrealm’s fighters are thrown into a brutal competition against the forces of Outworld, with the fate of both realms hanging in the balance. Familiar faces like Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Jax (Mehcad Brooks), Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim) and Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada) – along with main protagonist from the first film Cole Young (Lewis Tan) – all return, while the long-awaited arrival of Johnny Cage – played by The Boys star Karl Urban (Dredd) – injects exactly the kind of chaotic energy the franchise desperately needed.
His chemistry with Kano is easily one of the film’s highlights. Despite Kano very clearly dying in the previous movie, they somehow find a way to bring him back – because of course they do – and honestly, I’m glad they did. He’s still hilarious, still completely unfiltered, and still responsible for some of the film’s funniest moments. The difference this time is that he’s no longer carrying the entire movie on his shoulders. There’s simply a lot more to enjoy.
Even visually, it feels like a major step up from the last film. The sets are larger, more colourful, and far more stylised. And while some of the green-screen work is undeniably obvious, I actually think it works in the film’s favour. At times, it gives the fights a strangely cool 2D arcade-like quality, almost like you’re watching the old games come to life. Whether intentional or not, it genuinely adds to the charm.
Overall, your level of enjoyment of this film will come down to one simple question: are you happy watching back-to-back fights packed with ridiculous fatalities, over-the-top action, iconic phrases from the games, and special moves we all spent years trying to pull off as kids?
If the answer is yes, you’ll likely have a great time.
If you’re looking for layered storytelling, emotional depth, or award-worthy dialogue . . . then it goes without saying, this definitely won’t be for you.
But as a fan, I was completely fine with that.
I came wanting dumb fun, and this iteration of Mortal Kombat absolutely delivers.
This is pure switch-off-your-brain popcorn entertainment – loud, violent, silly, self-aware, and completely unapologetic about it.
So ‘Get Over Here!’ – and knock yourself out.
ESP Rating: 3.5/5
Mike Clarke
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Karl Urban, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Adeline Rudolph, Chin Han, Mehcad Brooks, Joe Taslim, Ludi Lin, Tati Gabrielle, Tadanobu Asano, Hiroyuki Sanada & Lewis Tan
Running Time: 1 Hr 56 Mins
Director: Simon McQuoid
Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough
For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe Cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk
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