Why American critics want to defend Mortal Kombat 2

Ultra-violent, gory, stupid… and apparently very fun. Without calling it a masterpiece, a large part of American criticism seems to have taken an unexpected pleasure in this crude and nasty sequel.

While video game adaptations continue to take over Hollywood, the American press seems to have found a new guilty pleasure: Mortal Kombat II.

Not because the film – which has just been released in our cinemas – is a masterpiece. But because it fully embraces what it is: a huge gory, stupid, ultra-violent and furiously fun romp. And clearly, that’s enough to make a lot of critics very forgiving.

For ComingSoonthe film is “messy but never boring”. The media recognizes that this is not a “flawless victory“, but certainly not a “fatality“for the franchise. The result? One” chaotic, bloody spectacle and totally aware of what the public comes looking for this type of blockbuster: slaps, gore and spectacle. It’s showtime!” summarizes the site.

Same story with Bloody Disgustingwho believes that the film plays it safer this time by more faithfully respecting the lore and canon of video games. The site recognizes that the film sometimes loses a little of the spark of the first opus by wanting to cram an entire tournament into its script, but emphasizes that “its endearing cast and its deliciously gory fatalities are more than enough to make us hum the cult theme during the credits.”

On the side of Reversethe observation is clear: Mortal Kombat II “does precisely what a film based on this license should do.” Knowing how to offer “impressive martial arts combat and stomach-churning gore, all driven by a monumentally stupid plot… but still very entertaining.”

Even more enthusiastic, TheWrap welcomes the arrival of Karl Urban in the role of Johnny Cage. According to the media, the actor brings an energy to the film Galaxy Quest who was sorely lacking andbreathes new life into this deliciously violent sequel.”

Same enthusiasm at CBR, which recalls: “Is Mortal Kombat II a perfect movie? No. But it’s extremely fun.” The site sees in the film “a reminder that sometimes cinema is simply there to give us a break and provide pleasure in the midst of chaos.”

Perhaps the most enthusiastic review comes from Slashfilmwhich compares the film to an improbable mixture “peanut butter and chocolate”. A video game adaptation and a martial arts film. A tribute to returning action stars and an ultra-gritty warrior tale. “Both a real first-rate action film and a totally frivolous trip.” The site is outright about “one of the biggest surprises of the year” and believes that video game adaptations no longer need to be either radical reinventions or just lazy fan service: “They can be more.”

IGN also having fun: no, Mortal Kombat II “won’t go to the Oscars.” And some hardcore fans risk quibbling over respect for the game. But the media insists: “It’s huge, loud, gory and never ashamed to have fun.” And above all, in the landscape of adapted video game sequels, “the film doesn’t just cross the bar: it twirls it like a fighting stick.”

At the house of Colliderwe still note some problems with pacing and an overflow of characters, especially in the first half. But once launched, the film becomes according to them “a bloody and exhilarating spectacle from start to finish.“Of course, the stakes remain limited since the dead can return at any time,”but we’re talking about Mortal Kombat: the characters who come back to life are an integral part of the saga.”

The Hollywood Reportr remains more reserved but recognizes that fans don’t really come for the psychological depth: “What they want is bone-breaking action, especially at its most gory.” The media nevertheless believes that the uninitiated risk being completely overwhelmed by the absurd number of characters and references.

And even Varietyrather critical, admits that the film works as “an old mediocre but effective video game blockbuster“, worn by a Karl Urban”histrionic and energetic“.