A Blockbuster Video Game Reboot Is The #1 Streaming Movie In The Country
The 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot is the #1 movie streaming on HBO Max.
Mortal Kombat has taken the top position on the U.S. HBO Max streaming charts. The news was revealed by Flixpatrol, a site that tracks viewing data across multiple platforms worldwide. Based on the popular video game franchise created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, the 2021 movie streaming now on HBO Max serves as a reboot of the film series following the critical and commercial failure of Mortal Kombat: Annihilation in 1997.
Directed by Simon McQuoid from a screenplay by Greg Russo and Dave Callaham, Mortal Kombat follows a mixed martial arts fighter named Cole Young. Dealing with a failed career, he is unaware of his hidden lineage or why he is being hunted by an assassin known as Sub-Zero. Concerned for his family’s safety, he seeks out Sonya Blade.
After speaking with a Special Forces Major named Jax, who bears the same dragon marking Cole had since birth. His journey leads him to the temple of Elder God Lord Raiden. As protector of Earthrealm, he offers sanctuary to those bearing the dragon mark. To stand with Earth’s protectors against the Outworld enemies, Cole trains with Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Kano as they prepare for battle.
After an intense battle, Shang Tsung vows to return with an army for the next fight. As a result, Raiden declares his intention to train new warriors for the next tournament, tasking his current champions with their recruitment. Cole leaves for Los Angeles to find Hollywood martial arts movie star Johnny Cage, setting up the story for the Mortal Kombat sequel.
The film stars Lewis Tan as Cole Young alongside Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson as Kano, Mehcad Brooks as Jackson “Jax” Briggs, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, and Max Huang as Kung Lao. Other popular characters from the Mortal Kombat video game are also featured. This includes Tadanobu Asano as Raiden, Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion, and Joe Taslim as Bi-Han/Sub-Zero.
The cast also showcased the talents of Sisi Stringer as Mileena, Chin Han as Shang Tsung, Matilda Kimber as Emily Young, Laura Brent as Allison Young, Mel Jarnson as Nitara, Nathan Jones as Reiko, and Daniel Nelson as Kabal. Damon Herriman and Angus Sampson lend their voices to Mortal Kombat bad guys Kabal and Goro, respectively.
Mortal Kombat was a hit with fans, earning $84.4 million at the global box office. Critics had mixed feeling about the film, which currently holds a 54% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The site’s general consensus says the film is mainly for fans of the source material but is far from flawed. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the movie a B+ average on a scale from A to F.
Speaking about continuing the Mortal Kombat film series, producer Todd Garner told Collider that a Johnny Cage standalone movie could be in the works. Additionally, Joe Taslim told Variety that he signed on for four Mortal Kombat sequels if the reboot is a success, while director Simon McQuoid will return if the story for a new installment is good. The second will be set during the tournament.
