Is Mortal Kombat (1995) Faithful To The Games?

[@essentialjordan23]

Johnny Cage did the shadow kick when he got caught in Scorpion's teleport, you can see it when he reappears in Scorpion's Lair.

[@freedreamgaming]

Yep. Johnny's shadow kick is in both films and was one of the coolest things in the film.

[@blueblurretro5295]

Was just going to post about that

[@llo9491]

Raiden got his teleport and lightning bolts, both shown when he stopped Scorpion and Sub-Zero from attacking the earthrealmers on the ship.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Good point!

[@Classic-Challenger6285]

As far as I know it is the best video game based movie ever made, and way better than the trash from 2021. I personally liked it very much it had every character from MK1 plus some from MK2, had plenty of fights a good choreography a good story and is so pretty much the best MK Movie out there to date, and it will probably remain the best.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Hard to argue, it’s seriously a great movie.

[@Adriana-x7h]

​​@@FAiRWAYx He was drowned on sea, poor Johnny!! 1:12

[@forresthunter1483]

Great video! I'm pretty sure the scene with Shang Tsung introducing Scorpion and Sub-Zero took place at the Deal Pool. Take a look at the chains and the walkway. Also, Johnny Cage has his shadow kick kinda. From what I've read, in the original script Cage beat Scorpion with the kick, but they added an extended fight scene after the fact, leading to the "portal." When Cage manifests on the other side of the portal, you can see Johnny's shadow. The novelization was based on the shooting script, and therefore has the fight ending in the woods with Cage's shadow kick. EDIT: Oh, and I forgot Liu Kang's fight with Reptile takes place in a version of MK 2's The Tower. You can see this clearly after they attack one another using that weird spinning thing. Kang and Reptile are in front of the weird window from The Tower, and they're even in similar fighting stances to the ones they have in MK 2. Jesus... I'm such a damned nerd... haha

[@lifeonearth4223]

Very faithful adaptation. One thing I'd like to add is the absolutely beautiful lighting and overall aesthetic of the movie. There are scenes that are gorgeous to look at, and they captured that Mortal Kombat "feel."

[@FAiRWAYx]

Yeah the set pieces are just so captivating. You really feel like they’re in Outworld when they get there.

[@ThousanWhite]

I literally absorb MK content on a regular basis and I've been playing these games since I was 8 years old and you been a fan of the MK movie since I was 10 but somehow brought up a few connections from the movie to the game that I've never seen discussed before! Looks like you found your content lane!

[@DW3010]

I saw this 8 times in the theater in 1995. That is not a typo.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Still not enough!

[@DW3010]

@@FAiRWAYx When you’re 14 years old, it was a lot of babysitting money. 😄

[@FAiRWAYx]

@@DW3010 😂😂

[@lionelromero1388]

Despite its flaws, you have to renember that its literally a live action adaptation of a martial arts 90s arcade video game. The movie knew exactly what it was and didn't try to hide it through CGI or an overcomplicated story. Great pacing and great casting saved it imo

[@FAiRWAYx]

Yeah they did a great job

[@bostonrailfan2427]

the “flawless victory” by Liu Kang was mocking, not meant to actually be literal…

[@shmandeluca]

Just wanted to add that technically Raiden did use his teleport special move a few times ⚡️

[@mortalkombatarcadelover4479]

In the early drafts of MK 95, Johnny’s master acknowledges that it is a secret tournament and Cage said he didn’t see how that would help his career, but changed his mind showing that he was grateful that his teacher offered him the invite.

[@ItzzGoop]

Maaaan that scene with Johnny falling face first into the water is one of the funniest scenes/moments in MK I’ve seen 😂😂 😂it’s like after he realized he couldn’t do anything else he just gave up and said F it 🤣🤣🤣💀💀

[@targetcj4894]

The theory I had with Liu Kang not killing Kitana was because the previous fight showed Johnny's friendship after he defeated Scorpion. That was forshadowing the next fight was going to be a friendship.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Never thought of that! Good call!

[@jakeculley9173]

What about the throne room and the warrior shrine? They were both in the film. The throne room was featured in the “And now for a taste of things to come” scene. And the warrior shrine was, fittingly, a large chamber filled with statues presumably in the image of previous fighters.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Warrior Shrine I could see. The Throne Room I'm a little more skeptical.

[@mortalkombatarcadelover4479]

Nobody brought up Ed Boon voiced Scorpion in the movie.

[@xaviersantini8176]

Fun fact I just found out. Kano was originally Asian American but the actor who played him did so well that Ed Boon decided to keep him Australian in the games

[@FAiRWAYx]

Yes!

[@kanukki84]

In the film, the actor did it with a British accent, but everyone thought he was acting with an Aussie accent..

[@xaviersantini8176]

@@kanukki84 toma(y)to toma(h)to

[@MKF30]

MK 95 was definitely a great accurate faithful interpretation to the game, the only liberties they took was Liu Kang having a brother named Chan and making Liu Kang the descendant of Kung Lao(the great Kung Lao) The Johnny Cage wanting to prove himself is just to fill his own ego, he's already got the fame so he doesn't care about that part being famous. He feels if he wins, he'll prove that he's a real fighter. I would also say Kitana and Liu's romance inspired the games plot with them further, prior to the movie there wasn't any romance hinted between them. Sometimes the games take things from the movies, shows etc too. Another example of this was Takeda later on in MK X within the canon games story in Scorpion's colors of yellow since he was trained by Scorpion(Hanzo Hasashi). If you saw MK Conquest, then you'd know that in that particular universe of MK there's a character named Takeda who was Scorpion in that series. That series took place during the Great Kung Lao era. It made sense for Raiden to not fight given how OP he is and he can't fight unless directly challenged, his primary job is to protect Earth's warriors and Earthrealm unless he has no choice but to get directly involved and I wouldn't say he did nothing, he oneshotted Scorpion and Sub-Zero, was a mentor to everyone and added some minor levity. Since he's a powerful immortal Thunder God, he doesn't have to do much to be cool. The Flawless victory thing with Liu vs Shang, was clearly in the format of 3 rounds. The first Liu bodies Shang's soul warriors, second Shang kicks Liu's butt, then third once Liu gets up is clearly the third round hence the Flawless Victory.... The Liu vs Kitana fight was an official fight but there's no rules that say you MUST kill or KO the other, just defeat the other in kombat....and Kitana wanted to help Liu since she deep down despised Shang and Shao Kahn for what they did to her homeworld of Edenia, you forgot to mention that. You also already confirmed that Liu Kang won that fight prior to that question so clearly it wasn't a draw but a win for Liu... Johnny also did do his shadow kick vs Scorpion right before Scorp teleports them to the Netherrealm... The Reptile vs Liu Kang fight was a nod to the secret Reptile fight in the game, but a fight none the less and no doubt ordered to stop Liu Kang and Cage once he decided to take Sonya by force to Outworld, obviously that plan failed. Johnny Cage and Kitana stayed back because it's Mortal Kombat, one on one not 3 vs one. The weakest part was just how the tournament was formatted but otherwise did a great job overall and still holds up as the best live video game movie to this day. I agree there.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Very solid points. Just wish the film would’ve explained more of it clearly, but I get that it’s not always possible.

[@MKF30]

@@FAiRWAYx Yeah I mean nothing is perfect, but it definitely did a good enough job to explain the general plot well enough I'd say. Thanks!

[@damedan9389]

They really should do a fan service Art Lean DLC for the next MK game.

[@FAiRWAYx]

I mean if they can do Janet Cage we can get Art Lean

[@michaelrussell3890]

Cage was probably willing to help Liu Kang with Reptile; but Kitana stopped him. Hence why she's the first person we see after the fight

[@cdcdrr]

Hollywood often has a tendency to rewrite the plot of video games to better suit the tastes of general audiences, not knowing that the gamers will pick it apart, and the wider public will see it as derivative. I think Mortal Kombat's strength lies in how the story was already inspired by Hong Kong action flicks, so there wasn't much tweaking with the formula a studio writer could do without diverging from what seemingly already had worked for Bruce Lee or Jean Claude van Damme. Gamers expecting Mortal Kombat got the video game plot on the silver screen, the general public who wanted a fun, dumb martial arts movie got what they wanted. Everyone's happy.

[@panthergod51]

Yes sir Hakim Alston aka The Machine. If you know, you know

[@paulhager1281]

I loved the first mk movie..I still.watch it...I feel its better than the new one

[@emperortrevornorton3119]

Trevor Goddard always played a great villain why do you think Mortal Kombat video games changed Kano his look style and mannerisms I miss that dude he knew how to play a guy you legitimately love to hate

[@DLOCSTAH904]

All Facts ‼️‼️

[@cathedraldarkness]

I remember when I first saw the trailer on tv as a kid. My 9 y/o brain exploded! I had already been a fan of the games. I couldn’t play them that good, but it didn’t matter. I begged my dad to take me, I was denied. Luckily, I went to Mom and a few weeks later, Dad and I went. I ate this movie up! When we left the theater, Dad was on board and he was throughly entertained. Good times. This is easily in my top 3 all time favorite movies.

[@SamJulesGillians]

I prefer this movie over the new one.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Same

[@christianrapper5]

Yeah, it doesn’t have Cole in it.

[@zalybrainlessgenius503]

Oh damn, it's Hiroyuki Cary Tagawa appreciation o'clock again?

[@FAiRWAYx]

That’s every waking moment for me

[@taijhaytaylor1495]

i went to see that movie w/ my sister and our childhood friends and afterwards we and some other people leaving theater shouted "Mortal Kombat!!" our moms just shook their heads; good times and great memories. 😁😁

[@inbm2102]

Way better than Super Mario and Street Fighther in the 90s

[@DollahFrom216]

Mortal Kombat 1 might be hands down the best vide game movie ever made

[@firelorddustin8518]

7:44 goro's lair was also seen when him and kano are sitting at the table. that scene is also referenced in the mk11 krypt because you can see a skeleton sitting at the end of the table with a metal plate over one of the eyes, clearly supposed to be this movie's kano

[@ssjup81]

For the most part this movie stuck closely to the game. It took liberties, incorporating a few MK2 things and Scorpion and Sub Zero mindlessly working for Shang Tsung, but it was still a good adaptation.

[@xXspringsXx]

Man this is the type of stuff I come on KZbin for!

[@metalwolf717]

8:30 you forgot "the tower" were Liu Kang fights Reptile

[@zlierno4824]

Johnny cage did shadow kick when going into scorpions portal

[@rankrodent2772]

Genuinely one of my favorite things to come out of the mk franchise

[@JPowell619]

I think the “flawless victory” Liu Kang refers to is a representation of the unspoken rounds in Liu Kang vs. Shang Tsung. “Round 1” is the start of the fight, “Round 2” is Tsung beating the crap outta Liu and mocking him as the “Chosen One” and “Round 3” is where Liu Kang realizes he’s the chosen one and knocks Tsung into the pit of spikes.

[@FAiRWAYx]

I’d buy that theory but it’s never occurred to me

[@josefw1487]

This was a fun watch!

[@Ironstarfish]

I was 13 when I saw it, it was very awesome and still is. I didn't like the 2nd one as much

[@rankrodent2772]

Raiden gets his teleport, as seen in the boat scene when he stops scorpion and sub zero

[@DW3010]

Scorpion vs Johnny I think is supposed to be the woods level from MK 2 (on a budget)

[@FAiRWAYx]

Definitely on a budget

[@lowkeylaflare]

They needa make a fatality with scorpion having the snake spear come out of his hand

[@FAiRWAYx]

That would be so sick

[@js6131979]

Wait wasn't that in MK ANNIHALATION? When scorpion came to capture KITANA.

[@lowkeylaflare]

@@js6131979 they need to put it in a game as a X-ray. Giving a shout out to the movies

[@FAiRWAYx]

@@js6131979 it’s in both movies

[@lukejams]

the monk character was something that confused me as a kid, like who was he, was he an earthrealm fighter or outworld? also liu kang and kitana having a fight with no outcome didn't make any sense (that could be explained through friendship but ok). Knowing how troubled the production went, it was only due to the tenacity of the crew and actors that we got a decent movie despite the massive challenges. Plus im sure the complete expanded lore was not available when this movie was being made, so whatever character depth we got was solid enough

[@evonnefenner7249]

Yes it was accurate. With the names at least 😅😅😅 When it related, it was the Best!!! Long Live Ed Boon!!!😊😊

[@TheSixthSLoT]

One thing that I wish carried over from the film into the games was Scorpion's living serpent spear. I thought it was way cooler that he summoned a nether serpent through a slit in his palm, rather than him just carrying around a chain like he does now.

[@FAiRWAYx]

It's such a polarizing aspect of the 95 movie. Some people had the serpent and others love it. I think it would be cool for them to include it in the games in some regard.

[@Scaash]

Trevor had such a impact on Kano that before the movie he was Japanese born American, then after this movie on he is Australian.

[@mammajamma4397]

I literally just made a post about this on some other app a couple days ago lol. I have the exact same sentiments!

[@kaihedgie1747]

i wouldn't quite say it's entirely faithful because it omitted one key aspect of MK's visuals and that's immediately apparent in its movie rating: PG-13. The most red liquid shown on-screen is Shang Tsung's mildly bleeding lip and Scorpion's snake spear smacking against a tree. That's it. Despite at least featuring two impalements, there's no gush of blood and virtually all of the Fatalities performed are either bloodless, goreless or both. You might be able to argue for Scorpion but for some bizarre reason, he just becomes a lava monster when he removes his mask even though his snake Spear implies red fleshy bits inside prior to taking it off. Sub-Zero's Ice Grenade/Deep Freeze only shows the head and nothing else

[@sonic-bb]

before watching the video, imma say yes. From what i remember, it was pretty faithful. lmao, rest in peace art lean

[@Xero15]

The greatest video/fighting game to movie adaptation of all time.

[@jonl2996]

Mortal Kombat was good, took a lot from Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon but it's still a good movie base on a video game probably the best of all other Mortal Kombat live action movies

[@FAiRWAYx]

Easily the best

Bro, I don't think they imported some hidden meaning behind Goro's ass kicking of a few NPCs. :D

[@Honoryoursystem]

Hey can you please do Annihilation?

[@FAiRWAYx]

🤔

[@lilreotardo]

I'm disappointed how you didn't mention soundtracks in this movie, they are so iconic. Main soundtrack and reptile theme are epic.

[@FAiRWAYx]

I suppose if tracks from the game were in the movie I would’ve, but yeah the music is top notch.

[@lilreotardo]

​@@FAiRWAYxthere were no great tracks in games at that time, just 8bit stuff that could't be adopted. My point is, is how seriously creators approached their job that they hired talented artists to create music for this movie from scratch which eventually became an iconic for the whole mk franchise

[@FAiRWAYx]

@@lilreotardo I disagree. MK2 had some of the best music in the whole series. Not sure how they’d adapt it to the film, though.

[@0mally13]

The teacher from Billy Madiaon, she doesnt need any makeup shes gorgeous

[@t.h.2906]

Way better than 2020 mk. Too bad Anihilation didn't make any money. A trilogy would have been dope af.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Yeah I would’ve loved to see a third

[@stevesleg]

Closer than Street Fighter 😂😂

[@originalxbox9924]

Why didn't Johnny Cage help Liu Kang in the fight against Reptile? Where was he the whole time?

[@MaggotLauncher]

Mk 95 rules. My only complaint is I wish Scorpion had fought the Jamaican dude and Kitana was the one who Reptile. Aside from that fairly flawless.

[@JavelinAngel1295]

More faithful than Cole Young.

[@juelzhorne]

This was dope youn should do mortal kombat annihilation as well

[@FAiRWAYx]

I might! That’s be rough though 😂

[@HeadBangerArtist]

dont forget the soundtracks uffff unas de las mejores

[@FAiRWAYx]

Incredible

[@bostonrailfan2427]

MORTAL KOMBAT!!!!! *awesome fight and dance music plays*

[@ScarysReviews]

the 1995 film is more faithful to the game than MOST video game films. Mortal Kombat 1995 DOES have gore, it's all in Scorpion's death scene, the visceral image of the monk's insides when he's getting his soul taken, Shang Tsung's death. It's an amazing video game film, classic. the 2021's sequel looks to be the 2nd best. People have made Art in Mortal Kombat Armageddon, I always felt Jax should had had Art's role, fought goro, had his arms ripped off in GLORIOUS pg 13 fashion, then teleported back to earth. Johnny attempts his shadow kick in the orchid ( a very light nod to the living forest, and Scorpion's lair aka the nether-realm is from MK3/ULTIMATE MK3, Rayden uses his teleport and during that scene also, his lightning strike (roughly does his shocker)

[@FAiRWAYx]

Yeah I contemplated adding the Living Forest but overall agree. It’s such a good movie when comparing it to the games. Also, probably should’ve included Rayden’s moves but he’s just not a fighter in the film.

[@Freddydemaesschalck]

I liked the 1995 MK movie, it was well done. Yet only one litle issue i missed in the Film. A detail every MK fan knows. The uppercut. It doesn't happen once in the movie.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Annihilation definitely had at least one lol

[@testingpiraciesDimitry]

i dont know if its true but i remember that johnny cage did a movie about mk after winning in the first game

[@xerospades]

As a kid I am not going to lie, I gravitated towards art because I saw another black person in the movie thinking he was going to be the game since Jax has such a small role. I can't tell you I was highly upset seeing his soul get drained away I was so upset as a kid😂😭

[@FAiRWAYx]

He deserved better

[@luischabez6344]

Johnny cage does the shadow king

[@FAiRWAYx]

I always went back and forth on whether it’s a Shadow Kick or part of him getting pulled into the portal

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@FAiRWAYxnah, you can see the shadows behind him like in the move

[@ramsybane7968]

Raiden used his power in subzero-scorpion science

[@rollin-kimblecroskey9110]

I never read movie reviews least of all Rotten Tomatoes. Instead I decide for myself!

[@tehdog123]

You missed jonny cages shadow kick attempt on scorpion and raidens lightning attack against scorpion and subzero otherwise good video

[@FAiRWAYx]

Good call on the lightning, I’m a little less sure on the shadow kick, though. I’ve always gone between shadow kick or him getting sucked into Scorpion’s portal.

[@tehdog123]

@@FAiRWAYx as a kid the first time I seen it i was like shadow kick shadow kick i guessed that just stuck with me 😅

[@FAiRWAYx]

@@tehdog123 I actually like the mystery of it. I even tried researching it but couldn’t find any source that said it definitely was or wasn’t a shadow kick 😂

[@lanceferguson9008]

I love a couple of recent series from streaming services, but those aren't movies. Mortal Kombat IS the greatest video game movie ever made. And I really don't think they usually can be done well in movie format, even if we didn't have movie studios royally f***ing it up by not respecting the source material

[@rollin-kimblecroskey9110]

You forgot to mention the stages in Hell and the forest.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Hell for sure. The forest one is weird, though. If only the trees were alive.

[@veghesther3204]

1995 movie yes the 1997 sequel NOT so much.

[@jonsummersprizepicks]

Mk movies are lit except that new one made a few years ago

[@dakotawinston7677]

My daughter learned Kung Fu from Art Lean actor Sifu Kenneth Edwards for 2 years!

[@FAiRWAYx]

That’s so cool!

[@morganjrider324]

I have to say even doh the movie isn't fully on pair with the game it's still enjoyable compare to most video game adapts at least they kept the ending with Lui kang and shangs basically the same minus the Shao khan kamo at the end which hyped ppl thinking it was for mk2 adaption..... ha nope it was something even worse

[@FAiRWAYx]

So so much worse lol

[@hybridcypher8995]

you watched it 9 times this week? i most ive ever watched a movie is twice. tell me of your secret powers, how did you not get bored or say "seen this before" in frustration

[@FAiRWAYx]

It was an exaggeration

[@Avalon64]

meh, not even the games are faithful to the games anymore...MK1 was just terrible story and design wise, and it continues to remind me why I dislike John Cena so very much...

[@rayhoyer4829]

Yep

[@Avalon64]

@@rayhoyer4829 shouldn't be surprised but found out a certain...let's call them "Sugary Infants" was involved with the writing, which definitely explains the terrible plot, dialogue and design choices

[@rayhoyer4829]

@@Avalon64 yep

[@kaiseralec8607]

​@@Avalon64 what do you mean? Who wrote this game?

[@Avalon64]

@@kaiseralec8607 given the fact you didn't get my little joke shows you're not in the know about gaming's current situation, explaining it to someone who isn't up to date, would be pointless sorry, but if you really want to know you should look this up yourself then

[@kennyggood5124]

Tht was gonna be a finisher lu kang was gonna be ice man 😮

[@stupendous1068]

I wouldn't have called Liu Kang's final attack on Shang Tsung a fireball move.

[@FAiRWAYx]

What would you call it?

[@stupendous1068]

@@FAiRWAYx Just a simple push into the pit.

[@FAiRWAYx]

@@stupendous1068 interesting push that glows orange and red

[@stupendous1068]

@@FAiRWAYx Anything is possible with CGI.

[@UnderScoredd]

Best movie based on a video game is like being the least stinky turd in the sewer.

[@FAiRWAYx]

I get what you’re saying, but MK 95 is far from a turd

[@KIDDVIDD]

Unpopular opinion: Raiden's design in the movie was terrible. I thought he looked nothing like the video game.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Other than the few seconds he wears the hate, you’re right lol.

[@KIDDVIDD]

@@FAiRWAYx Does he wear the hat? He was so unmemorable that I truly forgot.

[@Sub___Zero]

Is Mortal Kombat (1995) Faithful To The Games ? : *No*

[@Luvmysippi]

This was a terrible movie but not so terrible that it doesn't have any highlights.

[@christianrapper5]

Lol. Actually your video just proved that this movie DIDN’T make sense. However, it was still enjoyable though. The newer one made a little more narrative sense but I liked it a lot less. Cole? Come on.

[@FAiRWAYx]

Didn’t make sense in what regard?

[@christianrapper5]

@@FAiRWAYx all the points that you mentioned in your video. For example they had a tournament with nebulous rules. Some people fought multiple times while others fought only once. Why was Shang Tsung just allowed to do fatalities on people that he didn’t fight? Etc… anyway it had decent action even though the plot made absolutely no sense if you think about it for even a second. It was still fun to watch. I like it better than the new one.

[@FAiRWAYx]

@@christianrapper5 yeah I can see the plot being a bit confusing for someone with no knowledge of the lore

[@AlobytesOgniddove]

In the game you play with a single character... in the movie this sounds boooring

[@gregriessland1552]

No way in hell

[@almightytowerdiveking4636]

Nah. They took their own liberties lol

[@TSMKstudios]

Farts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stealcool]

1st

[@bettybent95]

2021 is trash

[@ronaldcarothers6363]

...let me save you 16+ minutes...the answer is 'no'...😎

[@jakeculley9173]

Elaborate. You won’t.

[@STZACRACK666]

@FAiRWAYx I think the whole tournament situation should get a pass, since Sonya didnt even know she was going to end up in a tournament in the first place, probably as did the other characters off screen as well, and so they were unaccounted for and ended up throwing the whole tournament structure off. Another theory could be, that we just didnt see the whole entire tournament and only saw the fights that were main to the story line, since we do see other fighters on the island as well, its hard to imagine them not participating.

[@bettybent95]

2021 is trash

[@bettybent95]

2021 is trash