Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match

Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match is the fourth entry in the Mortal Kombat Legends DTV film series, and it is an interesting entry for me, as it not only stars Johnny Cage, one of my favorite MK characters, but is also a neat movie set in the 1980's.

In the movie, Johnny Cage is about to have his big break filming the movie Ninja Mime. However, the movie is in danger of being unfinished when co-star Jennifer Grey goes missing. Going to her mansion, she sees the place is a mess, and going into her bedroom, he witnesses two women fighting over a scroll. This puts him in the middle of a plot by a cult known as the Brotherhood of Shadow to bring their god, Shinnok, into Earthrealm.

Okay, for a Mortal Kombat movie, Cage Match not only succeeds in keeping the violence and gore the franchise is infamous for, but also making it a cheesy 80's action comedy that fits Johnny Cage's role of comic relief real well. Joel McHale returns to voice the Hollywood airhead from the first two Mortal Kombat Legends films after being absent in the last film, Snow Blind, and Jennifer Grey is in this voicing herself as well as Sareena. Also, Kelly Hu is the voice Ashrah, and Robin Atkins Downs returns as the voice of Shinnok, also reprising the role from Scorpion's Revenge and Battle of the Realms. But the greatest voice role here is David Doubldy, who is voiced by the late Gilbert Gotfried, this being his final film role before his passing (with the movie one of the few media to be dedicated to his memory).

A great departure from the past three films, Cage Match aims for being a cheesy 80's action comedy. Johnny Cage is spewing one-liners and jokes as usual, and the film embraces how cheesy it is, alongside its various references to 1980's pop culture. However, it still keeps the action as well as the violence and gore that fans of Mortal Kombat come to expect. Johnny gets a backstory to how he became skilled in martial arts, and the 80's style soundtrack is awesome.

Holy freaking heck.

How does these guys make animated movies better and better every freaking time? I have no idea! But I think 5.8 at the moment is a LOW offer. The movie has massive amount of references and easter eggs, and is super funny too! I loved watching it.. and especially because t was first animated movie with Retrowave theme! It was absolutely awesome!

I never really would choose cage to start with, so although of course its a popular character in Mortal Kombat games and in the first movie... I wouldn't think there can be as awesome movie to make about him. I am much impressed! Congratulations to the studio, and thank you!

If you're gonna get hung up on the MK mythos and source material, it may not be for you; but as a fan of the 80s and the aesthetic, this movie delivers. The look, the music, even the animation style all is of that era. They do a really fantastic job with the animation and color choices to mix MK with Miami Vice. McHale NAILS the voice and cockiness of Cage and the rest of the voice cast (Jennifer Grey anyone?!) does a great job too. Adams has been pumping out fun animated scripts for years at WB and this may be my favorite that he's done. I appreciate that it's a bit of a standalone movie so that Cage can shine. If you like the character and just wanna laugh and have fun, then this movie is for you. Laughed so many times and the MK action and fighting and FINISHING MOVES are all there. Loved it.

Very funny, cheesy 80's vibe and great action. If you don't like 80's action style you won't like this. Hilarious that Jennifer Grey plays herself in this movie. Love how they use cliche Hollywood tropes in the movie while simultaneously poking fun at them. I thought the action was good and the dialog was fun. Voice acting was superb, loved hearing Gilbert as a talent agent that was hilarious. Anyone who says this movie was bad needs to take a chill pill and stop being so serious. This was intended to be campy so embrace the suck and enjoy it for what it is: a 4th wall breaking, blood and guts action/comedy cartoon.

When this movie was first announced, I got super pumped up. Johnny Cage has always been one of my favourite personalities in the Mortal Kombat Universe.

Therefore, I was eager to see his side of the story, but alas! My expectations were not fulfilled, mainly due to a lacklustre direction that had opted for style over substance.

Considering it was supposed to be a 'Johnny Cage' extravaganza, I wouldn't have been bothered by it if only this approach hadn't compromised the natural flow of the narrative, which lacked both charm and spirit and surprisingly so!

P. S. I cherished the 80s-inspired Music. It did not come as a surprise, though; I have always admired such style of tracks, and this was no exception.