Jun 10th 2010 By Nick Nadel

Readers Nerd Out Over 'Mortal Kombat -- Rebirth' Short Film

Asylum readers collectively geeked out over the "Mortal Kombat: Rebirth" short film -- starring Jeri Ryan, pictured, and Michael Jai White -- which is meant to be a pitch for a gritty franchise reboot. (Fun fact: Kevin Tancharoen, the director behind the short, helmed last year's big-screen "Fame" remake. Sub-Zero's gotta dance!)

While some readers applauded "Rebirth" for bearing absolutely no resemblance to the terrible "Mortal Kombat" films of the 1990s, continuity buffs still quibbled with some of the changes made to their beloved video game brawlers.

Anthony R. wrote, "[The short film] just left me infuriated and fascinated at the same time. Wtf is up with Baraka being a doctor that goes insane and Reptile as a cannibal with a skin disorder? Either way I'm gonna have to see it, and that just pisses me more off."

Jspat927 took issue with the surprise character reveal at the end: "When i was watching this, i kept hoping the guy being questioned was Kano. But then he said he was Scorpion and that was the end of it!"

But Kyle disagreed, writing, "Picking Scorpion as a main character was intriguing and very unexpected, I can't wait to see Raiden zap the crap outta of him too ... If he's still able to use lightning that is ..."

Even though "Rebirth" hasn't gotten the green light yet, McHotcakes has already made up his mind: "I think I might have to skip this one. It sure is 'dark' and 'gritty' but what about the actual story? You know where Scorpion was a demonic ninja, who didn't even have a face, [and] Reptile and Baraka were monsters from another dimension, not simply people with skin diseases."

Finally, Edgyhoof offered some perspective to counterbalance the fanboy sniping: "I love how people have a problem with Cage being a former movie star working undercover. Since when has anything in the MK franchise been realistic?" He added, "We could all use a little fatality action in our lives."

Congrats, Edgyhoof. Your comment was a "flawless victory."

Tags: Jeri Ryan - JeriRyan - michael jai white - MichaelJaiWhite - mortal kombat rebirth - mortal kombat reboot - Mortal-Kombat - MortalKombatRebirth - MortalKombatReboot - reader feedback - ReaderFeedback

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Thursday 10 June

By chris

Neutral

i see this new mortal kombat as being believible similar to the new batman movies becuase let face it the batman and mortal kombat movies were made for children and lets face it those were tough times for comic book and video game movies. however what did batman begins and the dark night movies do these made hundreds of desevered millions and i wouldnt be shocked if this mortal kombat movie did the same frankly i was tired of d lister ruining one of the best video game story lines in history. just look at it this way this could be the new look for mortal kombat becuase its declined sharply since mortal kombat 4. 1 last thing were is liu kang at?

Thursday 10 June

By mike

Neutral

I second that Chris! I could barely watch the first movie and i didn't bother with part 2. I wouldn't mind watching this from a different perspective. If comic book writers can take characters and write alternate universes, twist plots and go in different directions Why can't movies? I'd certainly be at the movies for this. And then if they want to re-do this movie again in a decade with a Peter Jackson, del toro LOTR/HELLBOY style i'd watch that too. Some one put this out!!

Thursday 10 June

By Meyer

Neutral

As for the people who are upset about changes from the original plot, it's imperative to keep in mind that the video is only meant to help Kevin Tancharoen pitch his basic idea.

He has stated himself that at most it's just sort of a prologue to a potential film, and that he *DOES* plan on including many of the original, "supernatural" aspects and characters from the games if he gets to make a proper movie.

Just don't be so quick to discount the entire concept based on this short little sample.

Thursday 10 June

By BodyRob

Neutral

I am undecided on my level of excitement for "Mortal Kombat Rebirth." I grew up loving the "Mortal Kombat" games and the tv show and movies. Ugg, but now I'm 20 and I don't think I've played a Kombat game since I was 12 so that should put things in context as far as how long Kombat has been out of the picture.

I really enjoyed the first Mortal Kombat movie, and like most of you I didn't really like the sequel.

I never read the comics so could someone please answer me this question? Why does Johnny Cage always die? He was my favorite character in the games and in the movie. But he dies in the second one, and in the "Mortal Kombat Rebirth" short film he dies too. I'm assuming thats the way the comics went but I'm not for sure so if someone could answer that question for me it would be greatly appreciated.

Thursday 17 June

By Adam G.

Neutral

Look Meyer, your reasoning is heavily flawed.

"...upset about changes from the original plot..."? Where did you get that impression? Save some minor changes, this plot is exactly the same as the one from the first film and the first game.

You want to know why fans are angry? It's because of the depiction of the characters, as well as the idea that MK should be "realistic and gritty".

The writer used some of the most recognizable characters from the game, and instead of leaving well enough alone, they decided to make Reptile and Baraka into freaks that wouldn't be out of place in Thrill Kill.

Then, there's the idea that MK should be gritty and realistic. Uh, no. I'm calling bullcrap on that. MK was never realistic in the first place, save for posters for the games. Leave the "gritty and realistic" argument with war films and games where it belongs.

Finally, since when was there a mentality that an opinion cannot be given against the making of a film before it's been green lighted, or because it's a pitch for a film? That's like not refusing a loan to someone because they said they have a different idea in mind that what they showed you in their business pitch.

Given what this teaser showed, the creators only have themselves to blame for the fan outcry. However, the real question is, why should we MK fans shut up about this? I've seen a lot of that in forums and news sites, and frankly, it pisses me off on a very personal level.

I'm sure most of the people saying that are trolls and frag-heads who've not played MK enough to appreciate it, but the fact remains that in the face of a blatant butchery of the MK name, people seem to want it this to come to pass anyway. Why?

Is it just because of the potential of gore that was never shown in the films? Or because they think that 3D fighting and MK vs. DCU, which was like an Elseworlds comic in my opinion, were the final signs that the franchise is in need of a re-imagining?

Either way, I'd say the people who believe these arguments should keep away from the discussion, because they're supporting this film for the wrong reasons.