“Hollywood.”

From Mortal Kombat.

Ever since Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim) killed the talented ninja Hanzo Hashasi (Hiroyuki Sanada) 400 years ago, Earth has been without a strong defender against evil.  Positive that he destroyed Hanzo and his entire family, Sub-Zero reports back to his master, Shang Tsung (Chin Han), and together Outworld win nine legendary Mortal Combat tournaments against the surviving heroes of Earth.  However, unbeknownst to Sub-Zero, Raiden (Tadanobu Asano), the ancient god assigned to protect Earth, rescues Hanzo’s infant daughter and hides her so she can grow up and carry on Hanzo’s bloodline.  MMA fighter Cole (Lewis Tan) has spent years fighting, but his recent losing streak is weighing heavy on him.  When Sub-Zero arrives tries to kill Cole and his family (Laura Brent and Matilda Kimber), they are only saved by the arrival of hero Jax (Mehcad Brooks) that holds off Sub-Zero and tells Cole to find Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee).  When Cole finds Sonya, she tells him that his dragon-shaped birthmark means that he’s actually a warrior chosen to defend earth.  Along with the mercenary-turned-hero Kano (Josh Lawson), Cole and Sonya head off in search of an ancient training temple where they meet Raiden and Earth’s other heroes, Liu Kang (Ludi Lin) and Kung Lao (Max Huang), who begin training the new heroes.  Unable to find his arcana and activate his super powers, Cole returns to his family, but when Shang sends his warriors to attack Earth’s warriors, everything quickly changes.  As the evil Mileena (Sisi Stringer), Reiko (Nathan Jones), Nitara (Mel Jarnson), Kabal (Damon Herriman and Daniel Nelson), and Sub-Zero attack the heroes-in-training, Goro (Angus Sampson) attacks Cole’s family which activates his arcana.  After defeating Goro, Cole returns to the temple to fight and sets a plan in motion where the only remaining way to save the world will be for him to connect with the heroes from his past.

This franchise-rebooting-hopeful creates an action-packed adventure based on the popular video game and movie stories.  The special effects are impressive and breathtaking, especially when combined with the adrenaline-pumping fights.  Some viewers will be turned off by the bloody violence, but those expecting the intense battles will enjoy every altercation.  Fans of the franchise will get the most out of this movie, but the humorous dialog and non-stop action will make Mortal Kombat a hit with new fans, too.

| Rated: R| Running Time: 110 minutes |Genre: action/fantasy |

||Family Viewing||Cursing: 6* of 10|Nudity: 0 of 10|Sexuality: 0 of 10|Gore: 10 of 10

|AVAILABLE FOR HOME VIEWING|