You'll get your kicks from 'Mortal Kombat II' but not much else

"Mortal Kombat II" is made for fans, but don't expect anything new.

Once again, the fate of Earth realm is at stake. Champions have been chosen to defend it in a tournament. It's gonna get bloody.

In "Mortal Kombat II," Karl Urban steps in as Johnny Cage. He delivers a humorous performance as an action movie celebrity called upon to compete in Mortal Kombat alongside the usual cast of fighters, including Liu Kang, Sonya, Jax, and Cole Young, all led by Lord Raiden. Despite Adeline Rudolph also entering the film as Kitana, with her own story, Cage is the hero "Mortal Kombat II" leans into. Through Johnny Cage, the movie lampoons cheesy, macho Hollywood action flicks from decades ago, yet ironically, this film ends up being the modern equivalent.

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The big bad this time is the evil Shao Kahn. The effort to fight him and his champions (in locales that mimic the video game settings) is pretty much entirely summed up in the film's trailer.

"Mortal Kombat II" delivers plenty of fan service for video game audiences intrigued by creative, and gory new kill shots — the kind of fan who would say, "Hmm, I never imagined you could dismember a person like that. Bravo!" If you get goosebumps when you hear Scorpion say, "Get over here," you will not be disappointed. But there is nothing here that you can't get by simply playing the video game at home.

Aside from some witty banter and brief comic relief, "Mortal Kombat II" doesn't offer much else. Do not expect Hollywood to add any depth to this franchise or take it to new heights. Just as with 2021's "Mortal Kombat," this sequel maintains a constant barrage of CGI, perhaps with the hope that you won't notice the lack of story or continuity glitches between camera angles.

In fact, it's mostly a rehashing of its 2021 predecessor — a reluctant hero who needs some redemption is pulled into a tournament against a big bad guy; the fate of the planet is at stake; Sub-Zero and Scorpion fight; everyone gets to slowly walk toward the camera with some fire behind them.

Which is sad, considering the talent behind the film, such as actors Lewis Tan (Cole Young) or Ludi Lin (Liu Kang) who have the martial arts chops to pull off these roles. Without a decent story, and way too much CGI, it feels like a wasted opportunity.

"The Last of Us," "Halo," "The Witcher," "Fallout," and other small screen adaptations shine as examples where these video game franchises can be truly successful. These series gave depth to the source material, intriguing stories and, at times, non-CGI visuals. "Mortal Kombat" would be more suited for a streaming series where it can take time to explore the many corners of its world and characters. It could also use some fresh paint via a move away from the green screens and into the real world. But as a film, it's just another CGI cacophony that doesn't even expand beyond the 1990s movie version of "Mortal Kombat."

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If you feel underwhelmed by "Mortal Kombat II," or even if it is just to your liking, then you'll be happy to know the hits will keep coming in 2026. It's worth noting that a film adaptation of "Street Fighter" is slated to be released into theaters later this year. "Street Fighter" and "Mortal Kombat" have enjoyed a rivalry since the 1990s when they went face-to-face across arcades. Both also had film adaptations in that decade. Now, both franchises are experiencing reboots, with both productions based in Australia. And according to its trailer, "Street Fighter" will also feature a celebrity fighter redemption story. Fingers crossed that "Street Fighter" will make an effort to try something different to stand out.

"Mortal Kombat II"

2/5 stars

Screen or stream? Stream. If you're a hardcore "Mortal Kombat" fan who wants to yell at the screen, go ahead and buy a ticket. But there is nothing special here that you can't get at home or even by just playing the video game.

Rated R