Mortal Kombat (1995)

Director:

Paul W.S. Anderson

Writers (WGA):

Ed Boon (video games) &
John Tobias (video games) ...

Release Date:

18 August 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Thriller

Tagline:

Choose Your Destiny...

Plot:

Three unknowing martial artists are summoned to a mysterious island to compete in a tournament whose outcome will decide the fate of the world.

Plot Keywords:

Crash Through Glass | Woman Fights Man | Spin Off From Video Game | First Of Series | Machine Gun

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Aug. 26

2:30 AM

TBS

Cast

Christopher Lambert	...	Lord Rayden
Robin Shou	...	Liu Kang
Linden Ashby	...	Johnny Cage
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa	...	Shang Tsung
Bridgette Wilson	...	Sonya Blade
Talisa Soto	...	Princess Kitana
Trevor Goddard	...	Kano
Chris Casamassa	...	Scorpion
François Petit	...	Sub-Zero
Keith Cooke	...	Reptile (as Keith H. Cooke)
Hakim Alston	...	Fighting Monk
Kenneth Edwards	...	Art Lean
John Fujioka	...	Chief Priest
Daniel Haggard	...	Assistant Director
Sandy Helberg	...	Director

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for non-stop martial arts action and some violence.

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

Japan:PG-12 (uncut version) | Iceland:14 | Japan:R-15 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Mexico:B | Netherlands:12 (re-rated) | New Zealand:M | Norway:18 (1995) | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Taiwan:R-12 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

Although uncredited, most of Johnny Cage's fighting was done by stuntman J.J. Perry.

Goofs:

Before the Johnny Cage vs. Goro fight, Rayden appears "magically" as Goro walks by. But the actor can be seen trying to walk in to the shot behind Goro unnoticed. He comes in just over Goro's arm in the top left corner.

Quotes:

Liu Kang: I guess you knew it would end this way.
Lord Rayden: Didn't have a clue.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Be Kind Rewind (2008)

Soundtrack:

Can't Happen Here

Liu Kang and the warriors of Earth must protect their realm from the armies of Outerworld in a competition known as MORTAL KOMBAT.

Nine viewings of Mortal Kombat (MK) may not be enough to convince the movie fan of its brilliance, but undoubtedly the tenth will provide an epiphany of Outerworld proportions. MK will no longer be seen as a cheesy "Rock-em, Sock-em, action flick," but as a revolutionary film that is as astute as it is subtle. Students of the martial arts will be mesmerized by the display of skill and talent that is only found in the greatest of actor-warriors. Students of cinema will be humbled by the simplicity and utter genius of the cinematography. Students of philosophy will be enthralled by this film's interpretation of Heidegger's Dasein and will find their understanding of it born anew. This film has something for everyone and is without doubt the greatest film of the twentieth century.

MK3 or bust!