Editorial…‍ ‍

May, 2026…

I just watched Mortal Kombat 2, and was… well… I was… I really don’t know, so here goes a little descript… 

When the “New Line Cinema” logo started at the beginning, it was like, “Direct to Video”.  In rolls the standard NEW start, complete with troubled child and reassuring parent.  Cue the 90s and early 2000s action film setup.  Mix in the expectation, complete with “Finish Him”.  Then I found myself getting what I was expecting… but not quite… 

Before I continue, this was NOT A BAD FILM.  It was no Avengers Infinity set up or an Avatar blockbuster, but it really had a lot to be enjoyed – especially if you are a fan of the series, or wanted to satiate a nostalgic itch from a long forgotten road down memory lane. 

But, I don’t understand the idea of sequels in film.  You can blame budget, Hollywood, change in direction, change of producer, actor, or director, or simply too much time passes, but regardless, MOST of the time SOMETHING happens between films.  Look, I am not gonna be a troll and say “case and point:  Star Wars”, but what the heck!?!  Usually, It’s like “Expanded Universe” from film to film. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, almost ALL storylines have the “elephant in the room” scenario, where they make something, (usually the main character), OP, and then clearly realize the  “Oh Crap” moment and do everything either blatant or subtle to make that character or issue “background” material… but, I mean, if Infinity Gems are just laying around like paper rocks… umm, it seems kind of like a rather big hole when apparently Ultron can go beyond Cosmic… then again, with regards to either of the main publishing companies, nearly ANY super hero or villain has some story line where they created, destroyed, soul savior, or have the “ability” to be the strongest.. so, there is that… 

Anyways, look I will probably touch on the mechanics of this in the future, since “original” storylines are basically nonexistent in “Hollywood’s” vocabulary, and everything is remade, again.. and again…  and again.

But, I gotta say this film hit a lot of fever points to bring out the best (or worst) in the franchise.  As sequels go, it had the “nipple” costume of the Batman legacy and Johhny… umm.. of Fantastic Beasts… so… 

(Cue 90s trance)  “MORTAL KOMBAT!”