Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
General Info
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Science Fiction |
|---|---|
| Music By | George S. Clinton |
| Tagline | The world was created in six days, now watch it destroyed in six! |
| Edited By | Peck Prior |
| Film Name | Mortal Kombat: Annihilation |
| Starring | Robin Shou, Talisa Soto, Brian Thompson, Sandra Hess, Irina Pantaeva, James Remar, Lynn 'Red' Williams |
| Languages | English |
| Directed By | John R. Leonetti |
| Produced By | Lawrence Kasanoff |
| Budget in USD | 30000000 |
| Release Date | 1997-11-21 |
| Running Time | 95 minutes |
| Screenplay By | Brent V. Friedman, Bryce Zabel |
| Content Rating | PG-13 |
| Distributed By | New Line Cinema |
| Original Title | Mortal Kombat: Annihilation |
| Box Office in USD | 51376861 |
| Cinematography | Matthew F. Leonetti |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Production Company Name | Threshold Entertainment |
Overview
Beloved characters return to this film, including the god of thunder Raiden and the fiery Liu Kang. They join other Earthrealm warriors, including the powerful Jackson "Jax" Briggs and the agile Kitana. This team of brave champions embarks on a journey through different realms, forced to fight deadly enemies and learn important revelations about their inner strength.
Despite mixed reviews, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is a mainstay in expanding the franchise from consoles to the big screen. It's a must-have for die-hard fans of the Mortal Kombat universe, with tons of thrilling battle sequences, exciting special effects, and a do-or-die storyline that stays true to the intense life-and-death theme. franchise.
Trailer
Screenshots
Plot
Following the victory of the Earth Warriors in the Mortal Kombat Tournament, Emperor Shao Kahn turns the tables when he breaks the sacred rules of Mortal Kombat and invades the world of Earth. Shao Kahn, frustrated by his defeat in the first film, plans to merge Outworld with our empire, which will lead to the destruction of all humanity.
Reuniting with our favorite heroes - Liu Kang, Sonya Blade and Jax - Annihilation now revolves around their quest to prevent the imminent destruction of Earth. We are also introduced to new characters from the Mortal Kombat franchise.
Liu Kang, the chosen one, embarks on a spiritual journey to tap into his inner power. As Sonya Blade seeks revenge for her partner's death, Jax discovers that his true strength lies not in his metal arms, but in his courage. At the same time, new alliances form and old rivalries resurface, testing the resilience of our soldiers.
Meanwhile, Kitana grapples with her twisted family history as Shao Kahn emerges as a formidable foe backed by deadly allies: the Army of Darkness with its ruthless cyborgs Cyrax and Smoke and four elemental guardians. Each scene is a carefully crafted combination of exciting martial arts sequences and captivating character dynamics. In short, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation takes you on an intense journey through multiple dimensions, revealing mythical realms and terrifying enemies, and witnessing humanity's strength in overcoming total annihilation. It's a wild rollercoaster that culminates in a climax that stands for "One Kingdom, One Kingdom Only."
Production
The film was directed by John R. Leonetti, who took over from the first film's director, Paul W.S. Anderson. The transition was seamless, and Leonetti brought a fresh perspective with complex creatures and sets, especially for Outworld, to create a visually compelling sequel. Finding new faces to play the iconic characters was challenging but absolutely necessary. Remakes of iconic characters like Raiden and Sonya Blade sparked controversy among fans, but impressive performances soon dispelled any doubts.
Stunts and fight choreography were a necessary aspect that required rigorous training for the actors. Renowned stunt coordinator Pat Johnson helped each actor hone their characters' different fighting styles, resulting in expertly executed fight scenes.
One of the scariest elements of the production was the special effects. The producers sought to surpass the visual spectacle of the first film, which led to a greater reliance on computer-generated imagery (CGI). Although some criticized the quality of the CGI by today's standards, it was a major achievement at the time.
Filmed in various locations around the world, the production was a multi-million dollar project. Despite budget constraints and a tight shooting schedule, the film successfully established its distinctive visual tone. Although the film received mixed reviews, the determination and effort that went into making it can never be underestimated. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation remains a staple of Mortal Kombat film history.
Release
The film was highly anticipated due to the surprise success of its predecessor, but received a mixed response from fans and critics upon release. The filmmakers insisted on incorporating more characters from the video game series into the plot of this sequel, which is intriguing to fans. The film's special effects have drawn both praise and criticism, with some moviegoers applauding the improved CGI and others complaining about its overuse.
Like most martial arts and action films, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation has found a diverse audience. It appealed to those who enjoyed the action sequences, character graphics, and interwoven story that brought beloved video game characters to life. Despite mixed reviews, the film managed to gain a cult following among franchise fanatics and remains a major part of Mortal Kombat's legacy even years after its release.
Reception
Despite an array of stars including Robin Shou, Talisa Soto and Brian Thompson, the shows were widely criticized for being flat and relatively one-dimensional. Dialogue was another aspect that was often highlighted for its lack of depth and originality. As a result, the film failed to live up to the expectations of its predecessor Mortal Kombat (1995), scoring just 2% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the film's action sequences and martial arts choreography received praise. The extended fight scenes, though often criticized for their pacing, were appreciated by die-hard fans of the franchise. In addition, Fatalities' faithful depiction of the grotesque Mortal Kombat video games brought a sense of nostalgia and enjoyment to die-hard fans of the game series.
Despite negative reviews from critics, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation has developed a cult following over the years. Exciting action sequences, colorful costumes, and impeccable fidelity to the video game's source material have earned it a special place in the hearts of devoted fans. Despite its commercial and critical flaws, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation remains an important part of video game adaptation cinematic history.
Cultural impact
Its influence can be seen in rap and pop culture, where the catchphrase "Mortal Kombat!" is often used as a punch line or example. This led to a wave of video game adaptations that influenced Hollywood's approach to video game properties. The film's heavy use of CGI technology for battle scenes and the film's wide representation of different races were seen as revolutionary for its time and influenced later action films. Additionally, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation helped bring the techno music genre into the mainstream. The film's soundtrack became the surprise album of the summer in 1997, peaking in the top 10 of the Billboard 200. The soundtrack's influence, particularly the catchy song "Techno Syndrome," is still revered in music and entertainment circles.DJ.
The film's costumes and characters have made a big impact on cosplay communities. Iconic outfits from characters like Scorpion, Shao Kahn, and Liu Kang have been used as cosplay models to encourage creativity and fan engagement. Despite its critical acclaim, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation's cultural legacy lives on, proving its enduring place in popular culture around the world.