Feature: ‘One of the Biggest Surprises of the Year’: Mortal Kombat 2 Movie Opens with Stronger Than Expected Reviews

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If you’re like us, then you’ll have a deep appreciation for 1995’s iconic Mortal Kombat movie.

The 2021 Mortal Kombat movie, directed by Simon McQuoid, didn’t quite recapture the series’ fun, over-the-top spirit. However, the upcoming sequel, featuring Karl Urban as a faded action movie star named Johnny Cage, appears to be heading in a more promising direction.

Currently, the movie – which opens in US theaters on May 7th – has a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Slash Film calls it “one of the year’s biggest surprises.”

Although some reviewers have differing opinions on Joe Taslim’s portrayal of Johnny Cage, Adeline Rudolph is widely praised for her performance as Kitana, the popular fan-wielding princess from the video games.

Most critics acknowledge this isn’t a cinematic masterpiece, but the incredibly brutal fighting is exactly what fans expect from a Mortal Kombat film.

Here are some highlights from around the web:

IGN

This movie isn’t likely to win any awards, and dedicated fans might find some inaccuracies, but it’s action-packed, over-the-top, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Considering how most video game sequels turn out, this one is a surprisingly strong and enjoyable adaptation.

Slash Film

This film is a genuine surprise, and one of the year’s biggest. While it doesn’t definitively answer what the future holds for video game adaptations, it shows the genre is improving. Unlike many previous video game movies – especially those based on “Mortal Kombat” – it doesn’t need to completely change the source material or rely solely on appealing to existing fans. It demonstrates that these movies can be much better than they have been.

Collider

While the first half of Mortal Kombat II feels a bit rushed and has a lot of characters to keep track of, the movie really picks up after that. The second half is a non-stop, action-packed and impressively violent spectacle.

Total Film

Mortal Kombat 2 is a wildly entertaining and significant improvement over the previous film. Karl Urban shines as a humorous and energetic Johnny Cage, and the action sequences are generally excellent. It’s a strong step forward from the strange, tournament-free Mortal Kombat of 2021, though it doesn’t quite achieve perfection.

Empire

Despite a weak plot, the game makes up for it with over-the-top, creative combat and entertaining, though not very deep, characters. When it’s good, it’s just plain enjoyable, silly fun.

Are you planning to see Mortal Kombat 2 in theaters, or will you wait to watch it at home? Do you enjoy the Mortal Kombat films, or is this one you’ll pass on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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2026-05-07 12:07