Misplaced Pages

Mortal Kombat Annihilation: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 21:28, 26 June 2015 editJorosales5 (talk | contribs)505 edits Plot← Previous edit Latest revision as of 02:14, 25 December 2024 edit undoRB2025 (talk | contribs)4 editsm ReceptionTags: Mobile edit Mobile app edit Android app edit App section source 
(800 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|1997 martial arts fantasy film}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = Mortal Kombat: Annihilation | image = Mortal kombat annihilation.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| image = Mortal kombat annihilation.jpg
| director = ]
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| screenplay = Brent V. Friedman<br />Bryce Zabel | screenplay = {{Plainlist|
* Brent V. Friedman
* ]
}}
| story = Lawrence Kasanoff<br />Joshua Wexler<br />]
| story = {{Plainlist|
| based on = {{based on|'']''|] and ]}}
* ]
| starring = ]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br/>]<br>]<!-- The actors listed here are the ones listed on the poster. Please do not add anyone else. Thank you. -->
* Joshua Wexler
| director = ]
* ]
| music = ]
}}
| producer = Lawrence Kasanoff
| based_on = {{based on|'']''|]|John Tobias}}
| producer = Lawrence Kasanoff
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* Lynn Red Williams
* ]
* ]
}}<!-- The actors listed here are the ones listed on the poster. Please do not add anyone else. Thank you. -->
| cinematography = ] | cinematography = ]
| editing = Peck Prior | editing = Peck Prior
| music = ]
| studio = ]<br />]
| studio = {{Plainlist|
| distributor = ]
* ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/61079-MORTAL-KOMBAT-ANNIHILATION?sid=2d19ee68-b80d-4e5e-901e-8046a5d60616&sr=5.111783&cp=1&pos=0|publisher=]|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref>
| released = {{film date|1997|11|21}}
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Mortal Kombat 2 Annihilation (1997) |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7fcb8691 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226204148/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7fcb8691 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |website=] |access-date=December 29, 2022}}</ref>
| runtime = 94 minutes
}}
| country = United States
| distributor = New Line Cinema
| language = English
| released = {{film date|1997|11|21}}
| budget = $30 million
| runtime = 95 minutes
| gross = $51.3 million<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat2.htm|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=Internet Movie Database|accessdate=August 13, 2012}}</ref>
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $30 million<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Mortal-Kombat-Annihilation#tab=summary|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)|work=]|access-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref>
| gross = $51.3 million<ref name="Mortal Kombat Annihilation">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat2.htm|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|work=]|publisher=]|access-date=August 13, 2012}}</ref>
}} }}


'''''Mortal Kombat: Annihilation''''' is a 1997 American ] ] directed by ]. Based on the '']'' series of ]s, the film is the sequel to 1995's '']''. It stars ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The storyline was largely an adaptation of '']'', following a band of warriors as they attempt to save Earth from the evil ]. Although the story picks up where the last film left off, all but two of the lead roles were recast. '''''Mortal Kombat Annihilation''''' is a 1997 American ] ] directed by ] in his ]. Based on the '']'' video game franchise, it is the second installment in the ] and a ] to the ], on which Leonetti served as cinematographer. Largely adapted from the 1995 video game '']'', ''Annihilation'' follows ] and his allies as they attempt to prevent the malevolent ] from conquering Earthrealm. It stars ] as Liu Kang, ] as ], ] as ], ] as ], Lynn “Red” Williams as ] and ] as Shao Kahn. Only Shou and Soto reprised their roles, with the other characters from the previous film being recast.


''Mortal Kombat Annihilation'' was theatrically released on November 21, 1997 by ]. It received negative reviews and grossed $51.3 million. A direct sequel was consequently canceled and a third film languished in ] for nearly two decades until the series was ].
In contrast to its predecessor, which was a box office success and marginally well received, ''Annihilation'' was critically panned and underperformed at the box office. As a result, development of a planned sequel to the film was halted and never progressed beyond pre-production.


==Plot== ==Plot==
The Outworld emperor Shao Kahn opens a portal to Earthrealm and has resurrected Queen Sindel, Princess Kitana's long-deceased mother, to facilitate his invasion. Thunder god Raiden and Earthrealm warriors Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, and Johnny Cage try to defend themselves, but Kahn kills Cage. The Earthrealm warriors retreat to seek allies.
The evil emperor ], along with his generals, ], ], ], and ], opens a portal from Outworld to the Earthrealm and has reclaimed his queen ], who is ]'s long-dead mother. Earthrealm is therefore in danger of being absorbed into Outworld within six days, a fate which ] and the others must fight to prevent. Kahn fights and quickly kills ] during the confrontation by snapping his neck, and the remaining Earthrealm warriors must regroup and think of an idea to defeat Shao Kahn. An emotionally guilt-ridden ] enlists the help of her old partner, ], while Kitana and Liu Kang search for a Native American shaman named ], who seemingly knows the key to defeating Kahn. On the way, they run afoul of the cyborg ]. Kitana and Liu Kang dispatch him with the aid of ], but ] suddenly appears, attacks Sub-Zero, and kidnaps Kitana.

Sonya Blade enlists the help of her Special Forces partner, Jax, while Kitana and Liu search for a Native American shaman named Nightwolf, who seemingly knows the key to defeating Kahn. Scorpion appears and kidnaps Kitana.


After Sonya releases Jax, they battle and defeat the cyborg ] sent by Kahn to destroy them. Upon defeating Cyrax, a small dragon-like creature erupts from the cyborg and disappears. Meanwhile, Rain is killed by Kahn for letting two warriors (] and ]) live. ] meets with the Elder Gods and asks them why Kahn was allowed to break the tournament rules and force his way into Earthrealm, and how he can be stopped. The answers he receives are sparse and ambiguous; one says that reuniting Kitana with her mother, Sindel, is the key to breaking Kahn's hold on Earthrealm, but another Elder God insists that the defeat of Kahn himself is the solution. Raiden is then asked by the Elder Gods about his feelings and obligations towards the mortals, and what he would be willing to do to ensure their survival. Liu Kang finds Nightwolf, who teaches him about the power of the Animality, a form of shapeshifting which utilizes the caster's strengths and abilities. To achieve the mindset needed to acquire this power, Liu Kang must pass three tests. The first is a trial of his self-esteem and focus. The second comes in the form of temptation, which manifests itself in the form of ], who attempts to seduce Liu Kang and make him forget about Kitana. Liu Kang resists Jade's advances, which then leads to a short duel. After Jade is defeated, she becomes impressed. She offers her assistance in fighting Kahn. Liu Kang accepts Jade's offer and takes her with him to the Elder Gods' temple, where he and his friends are to meet Raiden. The third test is never seen. Raiden meets with the Elder Gods and asks them why Kahn was allowed to break the tournament rules and force his way into Earthrealm, and how he can be stopped. One says that reuniting Kitana with her mother, Sindel, is the key to breaking Kahn's hold on Earthrealm, but another Elder God insists that the defeat of Kahn himself is the solution. Raiden is then asked by the Elder Gods about his feelings and obligations towards the mortals, and what he would be willing to do to ensure their survival.


Liu finds Nightwolf, who teaches him about the power of the Animality, a form of shapeshifting which utilizes the caster's strengths and abilities. To achieve the mindset needed to acquire this power, Liu must pass three tests. The first is a trial of his self-esteem, courage, and focus. The second comes in the form of temptation, which manifests itself in the form of Jade, a mysterious warrior who attempts to seduce Liu and offers her assistance after he resists her advances. Liu accepts Jade's offer and takes her with him to the Elder Gods' temple, where he and his friends meet with Raiden. The third test is never revealed.
At the temple, the Earthrealm warriors reunite with a newly shorn Raiden, who explains that he has sacrificed his immortality to freely fight alongside them. Together, they head for Outworld to rescue Kitana and reunite her with Sindel. With Jade's help, Liu Kang sneaks into Kahn's castle and, after battling ], rescues Kitana, while the others find Sindel. Liu and Kitana are confronted by Sheeva, who is then defeated. Unfortunately, Sindel remains under Kahn's control, and she escapes while a trio of Raptors ambush the heroes, while Jade reveals herself to be a mole sent by Kahn to disrupt the heroes' plans before escaping. Kahn eventually finds and confronts Jade and, for her failure, kills her. Raiden then reveals that Shao Kahn is his brother, and that Elder God ] is their father. He realizes that Shinnok had lied to him and is supporting Kahn. With renewed purpose, Raiden and the Earthrealm warriors make their way to the final showdown with Kahn and his generals - which leads them to the temple of the Shaolin Order of Light, Liu Kang's home, the ruins of which have surfaced in Outworld. Shinnok demands that Raiden submit to him and restore their broken family, at the expense of his mortal friends. Raiden refuses and is killed by an energy blast from Shao Kahn.


The Earthrealm warriors learn that Raiden has sacrificed his immortality to freely fight alongside them. Together, they infiltrate Outworld to rescue Kitana and reunite her with Sindel in hopes of restoring her soul and closing the Outworld portal to Earth. Liu rescues Kitana while the others incapacitate Sindel. However, Sindel remains under Kahn's control and escapes during an ambush. Jade reveals herself to be a double agent sent by Kahn to disrupt the heroes' plans. Kahn feeds Jade to a gargoyle for her failure. Raiden reveals that Shao Kahn is his brother and that the former Elder God Shinnok is their father. He realizes that Shinnok is supporting Kahn. Raiden and the Earthrealm warriors make their way to Kahn, Sindel, and his remaining generals. Shinnok demands that Raiden submit to him and restore their broken family, at the expense of his mortal friends. Raiden refuses and is killed by an energy blast from Shao Kahn.
While Liu and Khan square off, Jax faces Motaro (and eventually discards his cybernetic enhancements) while Sonya fights ] and Ermac and Kitana faces her mother Sindel. Even as Kitana, Sonya and Jax all gain the upper hand (including Jax helping even the numbers against Noob and Ermac after defeating Motaro), Liu still struggles with Kahn, and his Animality, in the form a dragon, barely proves effective after Kahn counters with his own in the form of a ]. Shinnok attempts to intervene and kill Liu Kang on Kahn's behalf, but two of the Elder Gods arrive, having uncovered Shinnok's treachery. They restrain him and declare that the fate of Earth shall be decided in Mortal Kombat as it should be. Liu Kang finally defeats Kahn, and Shinnok is banished to the Netherrealm while a demonish dragon-like creature rips its way out of the defeated Kahn's body but is destroyed.


As Earthrealm reverts to its former state, the four protagonists find themselves at the temple of the Order of Light - but now the temple is bathed in sunshine, whole and populated by monks instead of Outworld foes. Sindel joins them, looking decidedly different as Kahn's control over her has been broken, and she reunites with Kitana. Armed forces partners Sonya and Jax revel in the moment, as do Kitana and Liu Kang when she proclaims, "I will never forget this moment, Liu," and then kisses him. Raiden is revived by the other Elder Gods, who bestow upon him his father's former position. With everything right in the universe once again, the human and Edenian heroes watch Raiden ascend and then leave the temple triumphant. Jax, Sonya, and Kitana emerge victorious over Kahn's generals (with Jax defeating Motaro, Kitana defeating her mother, and Sonya defeating Ermac). Liu struggles with Kahn. Liu's Animality proves effective, exposing a cut to Kahn that proves he is now mortal, as a consequence of his breaking the sacred rules. Shinnok attempts to intervene and kill Liu on Kahn's behalf, but two of the Elder Gods arrive, having uncovered Shinnok's treachery. They declare that the fate of Earth shall be decided in Mortal Kombat. Liu defeats Kahn, and Shinnok is banished to the Netherrealm. Earthrealm reverts to its former state. With Kahn's hold over Sindel broken, she reunites with Kitana. Raiden is revived by the Elder Gods, who bestow upon him his father's former position. Before departing to the immortal realm, he enjoins the Earthrealm warriors to be there for one another. The Earthrealm warriors return home.


==Cast==<!--FIRST-BILLED ONLY.--> ==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* Lynn “Red” Williams as ]
* ] as ]
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* ] as ]
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* ] as ]
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* ] as ] * ] as ]
* John Medlen as ]
* Dennis Keiffer as ] {{div col end}}
* ] as ] / ] / ]
* ] as the voice of Scorpion
* Tyrone Wiggins as ]
* Dennis Keiffer as ]
* Ridley Tsui as ]
* Keith Cooke as ]
* ] as ]
<!-- Do not add minor roles (Ray Park, Carolyn Seymour, Lance LeGault, etc.) -->
}}


==Production== ==Production==
''Mortal Kombat Annihilation'' is loosely based on the 1995 video game '']'', while featuring the character roster of '']''. There were also plot elements from '']'', but these scenes were cut from the final theatrical version.<ref name=ign/> While the original attracted casual moviegoers as well as gamers, ''Annihilation'' catered exclusively to the games' fans.<ref name="craphound">"What's in this movie for MK gamers? 'There are more characters in this movie from the game than last time, and there's a lot of new ones, to coincide with the fourth game.' " - Cory Doctorow, ''SciFi Entertainment'', 11/97; reprinted on craphound.com</ref> Producer ] said he was trying to make the film "even more spectacular than the first movie, which earned a healthy $73 million in the U.S. ''Annihilation'' is three times more ambitious than '']''. Our theme for the sequel is to shoot for more—more fights, more special effects, more Outworld, more everything."<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=May 1997|title=Mortal Kombat Annihilation!|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_094_May_1997/page/n38|magazine=GamePro|volume=94|pages=37}}</ref>
===Filming===
Part of the movie was filmed on location at ] on the island of ]. The scenes involving the Temple of The Elder Gods were filmed on location at ], a large temple and basin located in Jordan. In the closing credits, ], where several scenes were filmed, is incorrectly listed as being part of ].


] in 2008]]
===Casting===
Though ''Annihilation'' attempted to continue in the style of the first movie, the cast of returning characters from the original was almost completely overhauled; only Robin Shou (Liu Kang) and Talisa Soto (Kitana) reprised their roles, while the only other actor to return was ] (] in the first film) as Sub-Zero. Additionally, while the original attracted casual moviegoers as well as gamers, ''Annihilation'' catered exclusively to ''MK'' fans.<ref name="craphound">"What's in this movie for MK gamers? 'There are more characters in this movie from the game than last time, and there's a lot of new ones, to coincide with the fourth game.' " - Cory Doctorow, ''SciFi Entertainment'', 11/97; reprinted on craphound.com</ref>


Filming began in the first quarter of 1996.<ref name=GPro103>{{cite magazine|title=Inside Scoop|magazine=] |issue=103|publisher=] |date=April 1997|page=20}}</ref> Part of the movie was filmed on location at ] on the island of ], off the coast of Wales (incorrectly listed as being part of England in the closing credits). Other filming locations included ], Jordan, and Thailand.<ref name=GPro103/> Though ''Annihilation'' attempted to continue in the style of the first movie, the cast of returning characters from the original was almost completely overhauled; only Robin Shou (Liu Kang) and Talisa Soto (Kitana) reprised their roles, while the only other actor to return was Keith Cooke (] in the first film) as ]. Stephen Painter and ] provided some of the props for the film.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hughes|first=Dave|date=May 1998|title=Alias Gore and Pain|url=https://archive.org/details/Fangoria_172_1998_Species_2_HQS_c2c/page/n55|journal=]|issue=172|pages=57–62|via=]}}</ref> J. J. Perry replaced Chris Casamassa as Scorpion, as Casamassa chose to do '']'' instead.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.killerfilm.com/features/read/action-packed-flashback-mortal-kombat-annihilation-69713 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225194252/http://www.killerfilm.com/features/read/action-packed-flashback-mortal-kombat-annihilation-69713 | archive-date=February 25, 2012 | title=Action Packed Flashback – Mortal Kombat: Annihilation &#124; KillerFilm }}</ref>
===Release===
The French release of the movie was known as ''Mortal Kombat: Destruction Finale'' (''Final Destruction''), while the Italian release was titled ''Mortal Kombat: Distruzione Totale'' (''Total Destruction''). The film's novelization by Jerome Preisler was released through ].


The French release of the movie was known as ''Mortal Kombat: Destruction Finale'' (''Final Destruction''), while the Italian release was titled ''Mortal Kombat: Distruzione Totale'' (''Total Destruction'').
==Reception==
===Box office===
''Annihilation'' was released on November 21, 1997, and its opening weekend take was $16 million, enough for a number-one debut at the box office, but it was nonetheless a 30% drop from the original's opener of $23 million. While it grossed $35 million domestically, it was only $5 million above its budget and amounted to half of the original's total domestic take of $70 million. ''Annihilation'' made $51 million worldwide, a 59% drop from the original's total box office gross of $122 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat2.htm|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=Internet Movie Database|accessdate=August 13, 2012}}</ref>


Thai actor and martial artist ] was a stunt double for Robin Shou in the film.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Bryan |title=Meet the Next Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/International/story?id=497530 |access-date=March 22, 2020 |work=] |agency=] |date=November 23, 2005}}</ref>
===Critical response===
''Annihilation'' received extremely negative reviews, with a 3% approval rating out of 38 reviews on ], the consensus citing the "shallow characters, low budget special effects, and mindless fight scenes" along with "minimal plot development manages to underachieve the low bar set by its predecessor."<ref name="rotten">{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mortal_kombat_annihilation/|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Flixster|accessdate=August 13, 2012}}</ref> In a 2012 interview with '']'', ''MK'' co-creator ] chose ''Annihilation'' as the "worst moment" in the history of the franchise.<ref>Reyan Ali, , Complex.com, September 12, 2012</ref>


==Music==
The film currently holds a dismal 11 out of 100 rating on ] based on twelve reviews.<ref name="meta">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/mortalkombatannihilation|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=August 13, 2012}}</ref> Jason Gibner of '']'' wrote, "Whereas the first film was a guilty schlock pleasure, this sequel is an exercise in the art of genuinely beautiful trash cinema."<ref name="allmovie">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmovie.com/movie/mortal-kombat-annihilation-v158861/review|last=Gibner|first=Jason|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|accessdate=August 13, 2012}}</ref> James Berardinelli of ''ReelViews'' rated ''Annihilation'' half a star out of four while describing it as having "no story, no characters, and no coherence."<ref name="reelviews">{{cite web|url=http://www.reelviews.net/movies/m/mk2.html|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|last=Berrardinelli|first=James|work=ReelViews|date=November 1997|accessdate=August 13, 2012}}</ref> while Marjorie Baumgarten of the '']'' opined that it was "nothing more than a perpetual chain of elaborately choreographed fight sequences that...are linked together by the most flimsy and laughable of plot elements."<ref name="austin">{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Calendar/Film?Film=oid%3a140917|last=Baumgarten|first=Marjorie|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|work=Austin Chronicle|date=November 28, 1997|accessdate=August 13, 2012}}</ref> ] of '']'' gave the film a "D–" rating, calling it "abysmal" and "incoherent."<ref name="EW">{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,290585,00.html|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|last=Glieberman|first=Owen|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=December 5, 1997|accessdate=August 13, 2012}}</ref>
{{Infobox album

| name = Mortal Kombat Annihilation: <br> Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
==Soundtrack==
| type = soundtrack
{{Infobox album<!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Albums -->
| artist = Various artists
| Name = Mortal Kombat: Annihilation Soundtrack
| Type = soundtrack | cover =
| Artist = various | alt =
| Released = October 28, 1997 | released = October 28, 1997
| Recorded = | recorded =
| venue =
| Genre = ], ], ]
| Length = 72:08 | studio =
| Label = ] | genre = {{flatlist|
*]
| Producer = ]<br/>Steve Gottlieb
*]
| Reviews =
*]
*]
*]
}}
| length = 72:08
| label = ]
| producer = Lawrence Kasanoff<br/>Steve Gottlieb
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Mortal Kombat
| type = soundtrack
| prev_title = ]
| prev_year = 1995
| title = Mortal Kombat Annihilation
| year = 1997
| next_title = ]
| next_year = 2021
}}
}} }}
{{Album ratings {{Music ratings
|rev1 = ] |rev1 = ]
|rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r315414|pure_url=yes}}|title=Mortal Kombat Annihilation - Original Soundtrack|publisher=]}}</ref> |rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r315414|pure_url=yes}}|title=Mortal Kombat Annihilation - Original Soundtrack|website=]}}</ref>
}} }}
''Mortal Kombat: Annihilation'' is the soundtrack to the film. The Mortal Kombat theme was composed by ] and Oliver Adams. ''Mortal Kombat Annihilation'' is the soundtrack to the film. The Mortal Kombat theme was composed by ] and Oliver Adams. The soundtrack was released on October 28, 1997, by ].


{{track listing
{{tracklist
| collapsed = no | total_length = 72:08
| headline = ''Mortal Kombat: Annihilation: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' | headline = ''Mortal Kombat Annihilation: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack''
| extra_column = Artist | extra_column = Artist
| title1 = Theme From Mortal Kombat (Encounter The Ultimate) | title1 = Theme from Mortal Kombat (Encounter the Ultimate)
| extra1 = ] | extra1 = ]
| length1 = 3:19 | length1 = 3:19
| title2 = Fire | title2 = ]
| extra2 = ] | extra2 = ]
| length2 = 3:14 | length2 = 3:14
| title3 = ] | title3 = ]
| extra3 = ] | extra3 = ]
| length3 = 4:19 | length3 = 4:19
| title4 = Almost Honest (Danny Saber Mix) | title4 = Almost Honest (] Mix)
| extra4 = ] | extra4 = ]
| length4 = 4:01 | length4 = 4:01
| title5 = Genius | title5 = ]
| extra5 = ] | extra5 = ]
| length5 = 4:07 | length5 = 4:07
| title6 = ] | title6 = ]
| extra6 = ] | extra6 = ]
| length6 = 4:24 | length6 = 4:24
| title7 = Panik Kontrol | title7 = Panik Kontrol
| extra7 = ] | extra7 = ]
| length7 = 3:22 | length7 = 3:22
| title8 = Conga Fury | title8 = Conga Fury
| extra8 = ] | extra8 = ]
| length8 = 5:40 | length8 = 5:40
| title9 = Anomaly (Calling Your Name) (Granny's 7" Edit) | title9 = Anomaly (Calling Your Name) (Granny's 7" Edit)
| extra9 = ] | extra9 = ] Presents Taylor
| length9 = 4:02 | length9 = 4:02
| title10 = Ready Or Not (Ben Grosse Kombat Mix) | title10 = Ready or Not (Ben Grosse Kombat Mix)
| extra10 = Manbreak | extra10 = Manbreak
| length10 = 3:43 | length10 = 3:43
| title11 = Back On A Mission | title11 = Back On a Mission
| extra11 = Cirrus | extra11 = ]
| length11 = 3:38 | length11 = 3:38
| title12 = I Won't Lie Down (Kombat Mix) | title12 = I Won't Lie Down (Kombat Mix)
| extra12 = ] | extra12 = ]
| length12 = 3:22 | length12 = 3:22
| title13 = Brutality | title13 = Brutality
Line 140: Line 183:
| extra15 = ] | extra15 = ]
| length15 = 3:26 | length15 = 3:26
| title16 = Two Telephone Calls And An Air Raid | title16 = Two Telephone Calls and an Air Raid
| extra16 = Shaun Imrei | extra16 = Shaun Imrei
| length16 = 4:43 | length16 = 4:43
| title17 = Death Is The Only Way Out | title17 = Death is the Only Way Out
| extra17 = ] | extra17 = ]
| length17 = 3:04 | length17 = 3:04
Line 149: Line 192:
| extra18 = ] feat. ] | extra18 = ] feat. ]
| length18 = 2:34 | length18 = 2:34
| title19 = Theme From ''Mortal Kombat'' (Chicken Dust Mix) | title19 = Theme from ''Mortal Kombat'' (Chicken Dust Mix)
| extra19 = Kasz & Beal | extra19 = Kasz & Beal
| length19 = 3:33 | length19 = 3:33
}} }}


Though this being not mentioned, "Megalomaniac" appears in its single edit (shortened to 4:19 while it lasts 6:07 in its complete version), and "Fire" appears in a slightly shortened version (cut to 3:14 while its single and album versions last 3:31).
==Reboot==
<!-- Very little factual information actually exists about this production. ANY rumors, sourced or unsourced, will be removed.-->
]'s production on a second sequel was initially scheduled to commence shortly after the release of ''Annihilation'', but it was shelved due to ''Annihilation's'' poor reception and box-office performance. It consequently never got off the ground as it remained stuck in preproduction for over ten years, with numerous script rewrites and story changes, along with the 2005 destruction of ] by ], which greatly affected one of the planned shooting locations.<ref name="mink interview">{{cite news|author=Clint Morris|title=Director talks ''Mortal Kombat'' reboot|publisher=Moviehole.net|date=2008-02-08|url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080208_director_talks_mortal_kombat_r.htmlOr|accessdate=2008-02-08}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>


==Reception==
In June 2009, a bankruptcy court lawsuit saw Lawrence Kasanoff suing ] while mentioning that a third film was in the works. ] (which became the parent of New Line Cinema in 2008, after over a decade of both operating as separate divisions of ]) ended up purchasing most of Midway's assets, including ''Mortal Kombat'', the next month.<ref>{{cite news|author=|title=WB Picks Up Rights to Midway Video Games|publisher=Comingsoon.net|date=2009-07-06|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=56887|accessdate=2009-07-16}}</ref> In July 2009, actors ] (Scorpion) and ] (Johnny Cage) separately announced that they would be reprising their respective roles from the original film, with Casamassa additionally claiming that filming would begin in September of that year,<ref>{{cite news|author=Polybren|title=Third Mortal Kombat movie filming in September - Report|publisher=GameSpot.com|date=2009-07-08|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/blogs/sidebar/909182374/26950479/third-mortal-kombat-movie-filming-in-september-report.html|accessdate=2009-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Linden Ashby talks about Mortal Kombat |url=http://www.truveo.com/Linden-Ashby-talks-about-Mortal-Kombat-3/id/282147513}}</ref> but the project still did not commence production, and aside from a poll that asked fans to vote on which major character they believed would die in the third movie, no official information on the project ever existed on the ''Mortal Kombat'' website hosted by Threshold, which itself permanently ceased updates in late 2004.<ref name="MKsite">{{cite web|url=http://mortalkombat.com/index-film.shtml |title=Threshold Entertainment |publisher=mortalkombat.com |date= |accessdate=2014-02-17}}</ref>
===Box office===
''Mortal Kombat Annihilation'' was released on November 21, 1997, and its opening weekend take was $16 million, enough for a number-one debut at the box office. It grossed $35 million domestically and made $51.3 million worldwide.<ref name="Mortal Kombat Annihilation"/>


===Critical response===
In the aftermath of Threshold's failure to produce a second sequel, director ] released a seven-minute ] titled '']'' in June 2010 in order to pitch a ] of the franchise. The short film resulted in two seasons of a ] called '']''. In September 2011, Tancharoen signed on to direct a feature-length reboot and posted segments of his production-draft script online,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mortal-kombat-video-game-headed-242218 |title='Mortal Kombat' Video Game Headed Back to the Big Screen|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2011-09-29 |accessdate=2011-09-30}}</ref><ref name="mko">{{cite web|url=http://www.mortalkombatonline.com/content/forum/showmessage.cds?id=145982|title=Director Teases Script from Upcoming Movie|publisher=Mortal Kombat Online|date=June 29, 2012|accessdate=February 25, 2014}}</ref>
On ], {{RT data|score}} of 53 reviews were positive, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critics consensus states, "With its shallow characters, low budget special effects, and mindless fight scenes, ''Mortal Kombat - Annihilation'' offers minimal plot development and manages to underachieve the low bar set by its predecessor."<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mortal_kombat_annihilation|title=Mortal Kombat Annihilation|website=]|publisher=]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On ] it has a weighted average score of 11/100, based on 12 critics, indicating an "overwhelming dislike."<ref name="meta">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/mortalkombatannihilation |title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation |work=] |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=March 13, 2022 }}</ref> Audiences polled by ] gave the film an average grade of "C+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemascore.com|title=Find CinemaScore|format=Type "Mortal Kombat" in the search box|publisher=]|access-date=April 16, 2021}}</ref>
but like its predecessors, the reboot became stalled in development for the next two years, and Tancharoen resigned from the project in October 2013.<ref name="variety">{{cite web|url=http://variety.com/2013/film/news/mortal-kombat-movie-director-kevin-tancharoen-moves-on-1200766979/|title=Mortal Kombat Movie Director Kevin Tancharoen Moves On|publisher=Variety|first=Dave|last=McNary|date=October 26, 2013|accessdate=February 23, 2014}}</ref>

Jason Gibner of ] wrote, "Whereas the first film was a guilty schlock pleasure, this sequel is an exercise in the art of genuinely beautiful trash cinema."<ref name="allmovie">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmovie.com/movie/mortal-kombat-annihilation-v158861/review|last=Gibner|first=Jason|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|access-date=August 13, 2012}}</ref> Marjorie Baumgarten of the '']'' opined that it was "nothing more than a perpetual chain of elaborately choreographed fight sequences that ... are linked together by the most flimsy and laughable of plot elements."<ref name="austin">{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Calendar/Film?Film=oid%3a140917|last=Baumgarten|first=Marjorie|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|work=Austin Chronicle|date=November 28, 1997|access-date=August 13, 2012}}</ref> ] of '']'' gave the film a "D−" rating, calling it "abysmal" and "incoherent."<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,290585,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429030325/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,290585,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 29, 2007|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|last=Glieberman|first=Owen|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=December 5, 1997|access-date=August 13, 2012}}</ref> R.L. Shaffer of ] wrote in 2011: "''Mortal Kombat: Annihilation'' is a bad movie. No way around it. Over the years, however, it has evolved into a cult hit of sorts, playing as an unintentional comedy – a spoof of the early video game movies and their painfully obvious cash-in mentality."<ref name="ign">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/04/21/mortal-kombat-annihilation-blu-ray-review|title=Mortal Kombat: Annihilation Blu-ray Review|website=IGN|date=April 21, 2011 |language=en|access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref>

In separate 2012 interviews, ''Mortal Kombat'' co-creators ] and ] selected ''Annihilation'' as their personal worst moments in the history of their work on the franchise.<ref>Reyan Ali, , Complex.com, September 12, 2012.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2012/nov/07/john-tobias-if-i-could-go-back-and-redo-kabal-and-stryker-i-would-i-dont-know-if-id-design-them-differently-or-just-come-new-character/|title=John Tobias: 'If I could go back and redo Kabal and Stryker I would, I don't know if I'd design them differently or just come up with new characters'|date=November 7, 2012|website=EventHubs|access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref>

In an interview for Luke Owen’s book, ''Lights, Camera, Game Over'', producer Lawrence Kasanoff revealed the film was released unfinished: "I'm telling you the effects in that movie are not the final effects. I never anticipated that someone would take the movie and go, 'it's good enough'. We weren't done. We never finished that movie. But the studio said, 'we don’t care'. We sacrificed quality for business."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2017/07/exclusive-mortal-kombat-annihilation-director-talks-about-the-james-wan-reboot/ | title=Exclusive - Mortal Kombat: Annihilation director talks about the James Wan reboot | date=July 31, 2017 }}</ref>

==Other media==

===Novelization===
A ] of the film was written by Jerome Preisler, published by ].{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

===Canceled sequel===
Shou's original contract was a three-picture deal,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Mortal Kombat Annihilation!|magazine=]|issue=104 |publisher=]|date=May 1997|page=37}}</ref> and ]'s production on a second sequel was initially scheduled to commence shortly after the release of ''Annihilation'',<ref name=killfla>{{cite web |url=http://www.killerfilm.com/features/read/action-packed-flashback-mortal-kombat-annihilation-69713 |title=Action Packed Flashback – Mortal Kombat: Annihilation |first=Jon |last=Peters |publisher=Killer Film |date=April 21, 2011 |access-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225194252/http://www.killerfilm.com/features/read/action-packed-flashback-mortal-kombat-annihilation-69713|archive-date=February 25, 2012}}</ref> but was shelved due to ''Annihilation's'' poor reception and disappointing box office performance. Attempts to produce a third film remained stuck in ], with numerous script rewrites, and storyline, cast and crew changes. A November 2001 poll on the official ''Mortal Kombat'' website hosted by Threshold asked fans which characters they believed would die in a third film.<ref name="mk1">{{cite web|url=http://www.mortalkombat.com|title=Mortal Kombat|publisher=]|date=November 28, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011128234706/http://mortalkombat.com/|archive-date=November 28, 2001|access-date=September 4, 2017}}</ref>

The 2005 destruction of ] by ] greatly affected one of the planned shooting locations.<ref name=killfla/><ref>{{cite news|first=Clint |last=Morris |title=Director talks ''Mortal Kombat'' reboot |website=Moviehole.net |date=February 8, 2008 |url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080208_director_talks_mortal_kombat_r.htmlOr |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120808020206/http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080208_director_talks_mortal_kombat_r.htmlOr |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=February 8, 2008 }}</ref> In June 2009, a bankruptcy court lawsuit saw producer Kasanoff suing ] while mentioning that a third film was in the works. ] (which became the parent company of New Line Cinema in 2008, after over a decade of both operating as separate divisions of ]) ended up purchasing most of Midway's assets, including ''Mortal Kombat''.<ref>{{cite news|title=WB Picks Up Rights to Midway Video Games|website=Comingsoon.net |date=July 6, 2009 |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=56887|access-date=July 16, 2009}}</ref> Warner Bros. released the rebooted film '']'' in 2021.

==See also==
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|30em}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==

* {{Amg movie|158861}}
* {{IMDb title|0119707}} * {{IMDb title|0119707}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|mortal_kombat_annihilation}}
* {{metacritic film|mortal_kombat_annihilation}}


{{Mortal Kombat series|state=expanded}} {{Mortal Kombat series|state=expanded}}
{{John R. Leonetti}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 02:14, 25 December 2024

1997 martial arts fantasy film

Mortal Kombat Annihilation
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn R. Leonetti
Screenplay by
Story by
Based onMortal Kombat
by
Produced byLawrence Kasanoff
Starring
CinematographyMatthew F. Leonetti
Edited byPeck Prior
Music byGeorge S. Clinton
Production
companies
Distributed byNew Line Cinema
Release date
  • November 21, 1997 (1997-11-21)
Running time95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30 million
Box office$51.3 million

Mortal Kombat Annihilation is a 1997 American martial arts fantasy film directed by John R. Leonetti in his directorial debut. Based on the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, it is the second installment in the Mortal Kombat film series and a sequel to the original 1995 film, on which Leonetti served as cinematographer. Largely adapted from the 1995 video game Mortal Kombat 3, Annihilation follows Liu Kang and his allies as they attempt to prevent the malevolent Shao Kahn from conquering Earthrealm. It stars Robin Shou as Liu Kang, Talisa Soto as Kitana, James Remar as Raiden, Sandra Hess as Sonya Blade, Lynn “Red” Williams as Jax and Brian Thompson as Shao Kahn. Only Shou and Soto reprised their roles, with the other characters from the previous film being recast.

Mortal Kombat Annihilation was theatrically released on November 21, 1997 by New Line Cinema. It received negative reviews and grossed $51.3 million. A direct sequel was consequently canceled and a third film languished in development hell for nearly two decades until the series was rebooted in 2021.

Plot

The Outworld emperor Shao Kahn opens a portal to Earthrealm and has resurrected Queen Sindel, Princess Kitana's long-deceased mother, to facilitate his invasion. Thunder god Raiden and Earthrealm warriors Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, and Johnny Cage try to defend themselves, but Kahn kills Cage. The Earthrealm warriors retreat to seek allies.

Sonya Blade enlists the help of her Special Forces partner, Jax, while Kitana and Liu search for a Native American shaman named Nightwolf, who seemingly knows the key to defeating Kahn. Scorpion appears and kidnaps Kitana.

Raiden meets with the Elder Gods and asks them why Kahn was allowed to break the tournament rules and force his way into Earthrealm, and how he can be stopped. One says that reuniting Kitana with her mother, Sindel, is the key to breaking Kahn's hold on Earthrealm, but another Elder God insists that the defeat of Kahn himself is the solution. Raiden is then asked by the Elder Gods about his feelings and obligations towards the mortals, and what he would be willing to do to ensure their survival.

Liu finds Nightwolf, who teaches him about the power of the Animality, a form of shapeshifting which utilizes the caster's strengths and abilities. To achieve the mindset needed to acquire this power, Liu must pass three tests. The first is a trial of his self-esteem, courage, and focus. The second comes in the form of temptation, which manifests itself in the form of Jade, a mysterious warrior who attempts to seduce Liu and offers her assistance after he resists her advances. Liu accepts Jade's offer and takes her with him to the Elder Gods' temple, where he and his friends meet with Raiden. The third test is never revealed.

The Earthrealm warriors learn that Raiden has sacrificed his immortality to freely fight alongside them. Together, they infiltrate Outworld to rescue Kitana and reunite her with Sindel in hopes of restoring her soul and closing the Outworld portal to Earth. Liu rescues Kitana while the others incapacitate Sindel. However, Sindel remains under Kahn's control and escapes during an ambush. Jade reveals herself to be a double agent sent by Kahn to disrupt the heroes' plans. Kahn feeds Jade to a gargoyle for her failure. Raiden reveals that Shao Kahn is his brother and that the former Elder God Shinnok is their father. He realizes that Shinnok is supporting Kahn. Raiden and the Earthrealm warriors make their way to Kahn, Sindel, and his remaining generals. Shinnok demands that Raiden submit to him and restore their broken family, at the expense of his mortal friends. Raiden refuses and is killed by an energy blast from Shao Kahn.

Jax, Sonya, and Kitana emerge victorious over Kahn's generals (with Jax defeating Motaro, Kitana defeating her mother, and Sonya defeating Ermac). Liu struggles with Kahn. Liu's Animality proves effective, exposing a cut to Kahn that proves he is now mortal, as a consequence of his breaking the sacred rules. Shinnok attempts to intervene and kill Liu on Kahn's behalf, but two of the Elder Gods arrive, having uncovered Shinnok's treachery. They declare that the fate of Earth shall be decided in Mortal Kombat. Liu defeats Kahn, and Shinnok is banished to the Netherrealm. Earthrealm reverts to its former state. With Kahn's hold over Sindel broken, she reunites with Kitana. Raiden is revived by the Elder Gods, who bestow upon him his father's former position. Before departing to the immortal realm, he enjoins the Earthrealm warriors to be there for one another. The Earthrealm warriors return home.

Cast

Production

Mortal Kombat Annihilation is loosely based on the 1995 video game Mortal Kombat 3, while featuring the character roster of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. There were also plot elements from Mortal Kombat 4, but these scenes were cut from the final theatrical version. While the original attracted casual moviegoers as well as gamers, Annihilation catered exclusively to the games' fans. Producer Lawrence Kasanoff said he was trying to make the film "even more spectacular than the first movie, which earned a healthy $73 million in the U.S. Annihilation is three times more ambitious than Mortal Kombat. Our theme for the sequel is to shoot for more—more fights, more special effects, more Outworld, more everything."

Parys Mountain in 2008

Filming began in the first quarter of 1996. Part of the movie was filmed on location at Parys Mountain on the island of Anglesey, off the coast of Wales (incorrectly listed as being part of England in the closing credits). Other filming locations included London, Jordan, and Thailand. Though Annihilation attempted to continue in the style of the first movie, the cast of returning characters from the original was almost completely overhauled; only Robin Shou (Liu Kang) and Talisa Soto (Kitana) reprised their roles, while the only other actor to return was Keith Cooke (Reptile in the first film) as Sub-Zero. Stephen Painter and Neill Gorton provided some of the props for the film. J. J. Perry replaced Chris Casamassa as Scorpion, as Casamassa chose to do Batman & Robin instead.

The French release of the movie was known as Mortal Kombat: Destruction Finale (Final Destruction), while the Italian release was titled Mortal Kombat: Distruzione Totale (Total Destruction).

Thai actor and martial artist Tony Jaa was a stunt double for Robin Shou in the film.

Music

Mortal Kombat Annihilation:
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by Various artists
ReleasedOctober 28, 1997
Genre
Length72:08
LabelTVT Records
ProducerLawrence Kasanoff
Steve Gottlieb
Mortal Kombat chronology
Mortal Kombat (1995):
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

(1995)
Mortal Kombat Annihilation
(1997)
Mortal Kombat (2021):
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

(2021)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic

Mortal Kombat Annihilation is the soundtrack to the film. The Mortal Kombat theme was composed by Praga Khan and Oliver Adams. The soundtrack was released on October 28, 1997, by TVT Records.

Mortal Kombat Annihilation: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Theme from Mortal Kombat (Encounter the Ultimate)"The Immortals3:19
2."Fire"Scooter3:14
3."Megalomaniac"KMFDM4:19
4."Almost Honest (Danny Saber Mix)"Megadeth4:01
5."Genius"Pitchshifter4:07
6."Engel"Rammstein4:24
7."Panik Kontrol"Psykosonik3:22
8."Conga Fury"Juno Reactor5:40
9."Anomaly (Calling Your Name) (Granny's 7" Edit)"Libra Presents Taylor4:02
10."Ready or Not (Ben Grosse Kombat Mix)"Manbreak3:43
11."Back On a Mission"Cirrus3:38
12."I Won't Lie Down (Kombat Mix)"Face to Face3:22
13."Brutality"Urban Voodoo4:28
14."Leave U Far Behind (V2 Instrumental Mix)"Lunatic Calm3:09
15."We Have Explosive (Radio Edit)"The Future Sound of London3:26
16."Two Telephone Calls and an Air Raid"Shaun Imrei4:43
17."Death is the Only Way Out"Joseph Bishara3:04
18."X-Squad (Original Motion Picture Score)"George S. Clinton feat. Buckethead2:34
19."Theme from Mortal Kombat (Chicken Dust Mix)"Kasz & Beal3:33
Total length:72:08

Though this being not mentioned, "Megalomaniac" appears in its single edit (shortened to 4:19 while it lasts 6:07 in its complete version), and "Fire" appears in a slightly shortened version (cut to 3:14 while its single and album versions last 3:31).

Reception

Box office

Mortal Kombat Annihilation was released on November 21, 1997, and its opening weekend take was $16 million, enough for a number-one debut at the box office. It grossed $35 million domestically and made $51.3 million worldwide.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, 4% of 53 reviews were positive, with an average rating of 2.6/10. The website's critics consensus states, "With its shallow characters, low budget special effects, and mindless fight scenes, Mortal Kombat - Annihilation offers minimal plot development and manages to underachieve the low bar set by its predecessor." On Metacritic it has a weighted average score of 11/100, based on 12 critics, indicating an "overwhelming dislike." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "C+" on an A+ to F scale.

Jason Gibner of Allmovie wrote, "Whereas the first film was a guilty schlock pleasure, this sequel is an exercise in the art of genuinely beautiful trash cinema." Marjorie Baumgarten of the Austin Chronicle opined that it was "nothing more than a perpetual chain of elaborately choreographed fight sequences that ... are linked together by the most flimsy and laughable of plot elements." Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "D−" rating, calling it "abysmal" and "incoherent." R.L. Shaffer of IGN wrote in 2011: "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is a bad movie. No way around it. Over the years, however, it has evolved into a cult hit of sorts, playing as an unintentional comedy – a spoof of the early video game movies and their painfully obvious cash-in mentality."

In separate 2012 interviews, Mortal Kombat co-creators Ed Boon and John Tobias selected Annihilation as their personal worst moments in the history of their work on the franchise.

In an interview for Luke Owen’s book, Lights, Camera, Game Over, producer Lawrence Kasanoff revealed the film was released unfinished: "I'm telling you the effects in that movie are not the final effects. I never anticipated that someone would take the movie and go, 'it's good enough'. We weren't done. We never finished that movie. But the studio said, 'we don’t care'. We sacrificed quality for business."

Other media

Novelization

A novelization of the film was written by Jerome Preisler, published by Tor Books.

Canceled sequel

Shou's original contract was a three-picture deal, and Threshold Entertainment's production on a second sequel was initially scheduled to commence shortly after the release of Annihilation, but was shelved due to Annihilation's poor reception and disappointing box office performance. Attempts to produce a third film remained stuck in development hell, with numerous script rewrites, and storyline, cast and crew changes. A November 2001 poll on the official Mortal Kombat website hosted by Threshold asked fans which characters they believed would die in a third film.

The 2005 destruction of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina greatly affected one of the planned shooting locations. In June 2009, a bankruptcy court lawsuit saw producer Kasanoff suing Midway Games while mentioning that a third film was in the works. Warner Bros. (which became the parent company of New Line Cinema in 2008, after over a decade of both operating as separate divisions of Time Warner) ended up purchasing most of Midway's assets, including Mortal Kombat. Warner Bros. released the rebooted film Mortal Kombat in 2021.

See also

References

  1. "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". American Film Institute. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  2. "Mortal Kombat 2 Annihilation (1997)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  3. "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)". The Numbers. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  5. ^ "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation Blu-ray Review". IGN. April 21, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  6. "What's in this movie for MK gamers? 'There are more characters in this movie from the game than last time, and there's a lot of new ones, to coincide with the fourth game.' "Mortal Kombat II - Cory Doctorow, SciFi Entertainment, 11/97; reprinted on craphound.com
  7. "Mortal Kombat Annihilation!". GamePro. Vol. 94. May 1997. p. 37.
  8. ^ "Inside Scoop". GamePro. No. 103. IDG. April 1997. p. 20.
  9. Hughes, Dave (May 1998). "Alias Gore and Pain". Fangoria (172): 57–62 – via Internet Archive.
  10. "Action Packed Flashback – Mortal Kombat: Annihilation | KillerFilm". Archived from the original on February 25, 2012.
  11. Robinson, Bryan (November 23, 2005). "Meet the Next Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li". ABC News. American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  12. "Mortal Kombat Annihilation - Original Soundtrack". Allmusic.
  13. "Mortal Kombat Annihilation". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 5, 2021. Edit this at Wikidata
  14. "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  15. "Find CinemaScore" (Type "Mortal Kombat" in the search box). CinemaScore. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  16. Gibner, Jason. "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  17. Baumgarten, Marjorie (November 28, 1997). "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  18. Glieberman, Owen (December 5, 1997). "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 29, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  19. Reyan Ali, Ed Boon's 12 Biggest Mortal Kombat Memories, Complex.com, September 12, 2012.
  20. "John Tobias: 'If I could go back and redo Kabal and Stryker I would, I don't know if I'd design them differently or just come up with new characters'". EventHubs. November 7, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  21. "Exclusive - Mortal Kombat: Annihilation director talks about the James Wan reboot". July 31, 2017.
  22. "Mortal Kombat Annihilation!". GamePro. No. 104. IDG. May 1997. p. 37.
  23. ^ Peters, Jon (April 21, 2011). "Action Packed Flashback – Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". Killer Film. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  24. "Mortal Kombat". Threshold Entertainment. November 28, 2001. Archived from the original on November 28, 2001. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  25. Morris, Clint (February 8, 2008). "Director talks Mortal Kombat reboot". Moviehole.net. Archived from the original on August 8, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
  26. "WB Picks Up Rights to Midway Video Games". Comingsoon.net. July 6, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2009.

External links

Mortal Kombat
Video games
Main series
Spin-offs
Compilations
Films
Theatrical films
Legends
Other media
TV / web series
Music
Other
Characters
Related
Films directed by John R. Leonetti
Categories: