Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge Review - "Get over here" and watch this film!

Warning: Violent Images

By Sam Coles:

Video games and the film industry mix about as well as M & M’s and cottage cheese, strange analogies aside my point is film adaptations of popular video games tend to fall flat. Until now which I have to say Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge is easily one of the best animated and video game based movies, as it adapts the fighting game series perfectly. But why I hear you say, well let’s get into it!

Scorpion’s Revenge is about the titular ninja where he wants to get revenge on Sub-Zero who is a part of a rival clan, who decides to attack his village one night. Scorpion is ambushed when he is walking home with his son, but he is one step ahead and brutally dispatches his enemies where we see body parts fly all over the place. Unfortunately Sub-Zero catches up with Scorpion and takes his son hostage; as much as Scorpion tries to save him Sub-Zero kills his son by opening his windpipe with an ice shard.

He is then killed by Sub-Zero, and finds himself in the Netherrealm where he has to fight his way out. Quan Chi impressed by his efforts gives him an offer, fight in the Mortal Kombat tournament to find a key to release the banished Elder God Shinnok. If Scorpion can also get his revenge at the same time, if he is successful in his task Quan Chi promises to revive his dead wife and child.

I have to say for a film with a simple revenge set up it is extremely well voiced from the entire cast, especially Patrick Seitz who came back to voice Scorpion does a fantastic job and is quite emotional sometimes. He really brings across his rage and tortured soul, it is really convincing and somewhat frightening sometimes.

In terms of the animation it is fantastic in motion as it is done by the same studio that does most of the DC animated movies, however like those films it can be rather static when they are just standing around talking. When the fights breakout it is amazing, characters are doing impossible gymnastics across each scene, teeth are flying everywhere and blood soaks the wall. It looks great during fights scenes, but in some circumstances it looks like a static picture where the characters flap their lips here and there but it is not always the case with the abundance of fight scenes.

The violence in this film, my god the gore and violence is so respectful to the series and almost does better than the video games. Immediately you are hit with graphic violence where Scorpion slices someone’s head in half with a sword, makes their eyes pop and generally eviscerates his opponents.

They also managed to incorporate the x-ray attacks from Mortal Kombat 9 and X in this film, it goes into unflinching detail such as when Goro is tearing someone from limb by limb, or when Scorpion stabs his spear into someone’s throat. It’s great and it adds a layer of authenticity to this film, showing that the director and writers understand what Mortal Kombat is. Some of the gore and violence almost got to me; yes some scenes are very brutal and can make Mortal Kombat 11 look like a child’s play pen in comparison.

Overall Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge was a very entertaining romp through the MK universe, it has gore, blood, and a very interesting and engaging story which I have to say this is the best interpretation I have seen of Scorpion. If you are looking for a nice concise animated film then I highly recommend it, I picked this up on Blu-Ray for just over £6. Go and watch this film.