LEWM: "MORTAL KOMBAT" (1995) ESL LESSON

 ARCENAL STUDIOS presents LEARNING ENGLISH WITH MOVIES: "MORTAL KOMBAT" (1995) - a video lesson for ESL students who would like to improve their English skills by using MOVIES as the main topic.

 MORTAL KOMBAT (1995)

With the release of the latest MORTAL KOMBAT movie in theaters and on HBO MAX, it would be a good idea to go back and revisit the first film in the franchise, 1995’s MORTAL KOMBAT.

 

After the huge success of the video game series created by MIDWAY, Hollywood came knocking for a big budget live action adaptation.

 

The producers hired a hot up-and-coming British director Paul W.S. Anderson, who had made a splash on the independent film scene. He would later find success producing and directing the RESIDENT EVIL series with wife Milla Jovovich.

 

An Up-and-coming person is someone beginning a particular activity or occupation, making good progress and likely to become successful.

 

Cameron Diaz was originally cast as Sonya Blade but had to leave the production due to an injury.

 

As a result, actress and Model Bridget Wilson was cast as Special Forces officer Sonya Blade.

 

Christopher Lambert, best known for his role as Connor MacCloud on the Highlander films, joined the cast as Lord Rayden.

 

Bond Girl, Talisa Soto played the Outworld emperor's adopted daughter, Kitana.

 

Veteran character actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa joined the cast as the villainous Shang Tsung.

 

Talented unknown actors as well as martial artists comprised the rest of the cast.

 

Most of the characters and plot elements in the film were taken directly from the mythology created by the video games, particularly from the MORTAL KOMBAT 2 game.

 

The plot of the film deals with a group of fighters who are summoned to fight in a supernatural fighting tournament for the fate of humanity.

 

The story starts with Liu Kang, a young man haunted by the death of his younger brother by the hands of Shang Tsung.

 

Driven by revenge, he travels back home only to discover that he is one of the chosen ones to fight against the forces of darkness.

 

Sonya blade, also looking for revenge for the death of his partner, goes after Kano, a criminal warlord.

 

Shang Tsung convinces Kano to fight in his tournament in order to lure Sonya Blade into participating.

 

Meanwhile, Hollywood action star Johnny Cage, is lured by his old mentor into joining the tournament.

 

However, what Johnny Cage didn’t know was that his mentor was none other than Shang Tsung in disguise.

 

These strangers would later meet on a ship bound for the mystical land of Outworld, where they would encounter not only Shang Tsung but also his henchmen Skorpion and Sub-Zero.

 

Lord Raiden explains why they were chosen for the tournament as well as why they must not fail. To do so, would result in the destruction of humanity.

 

With the help of Lord Raiden, they arrive on an island where they encounter fearsome fighters from all the different realms.

 

After a series of challenges, the heroes rise to the challenge and defeat not only Prince Goro but also sub zero, scorpion and reptile.

 

Liu Kang, finally accepting his fate as the savior of humanity, fights Shang Tsung to the death. He succeeds and along with his new found friends,  celebrate their victory.

 

The movie ends when a storm appears, and an image of the Emperor warns them of his upcoming attack while Lord Raiden and the human warriors prepare for battle.

 

Despite its mixed reviews from critics, the film was a hit with audiences, making it one of the most successful video game adaptations of all time.

 

It was followed by a sequel, a live action TV series, animated films and a Web Series.

 

The success of the latest incarnation of MORTAL KOMBAT promises that the franchise will continue to live on with more live action sequels.