Kombat and Stardom: a Mysterious Blend

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MOVIE REVIEW
Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match
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Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 16m
Director(s): Ethan Spaulding
Writer(s): Ed Boon
Cast: Joel McHale, Jennifer Grey, Gilbert Gottfried, Dusan Brown, Grey DeLisle, Robin Atkin, Zehra Fazal, Kelly Hu, Matt Yang King, Phil LaMarr, Matthew Mercer, Dave B. Mitchell, Armen Taylor
Where To Watch: Purchase digitally and on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray October 17, 2023; pre-order here www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Step into the electrifying world where Hollywood glam and brutal combat converge, and let’s navigate the realms of MORTAL KOMBAT LEGENDS: CAGE MATCH. The latest addition to the MORTAL KOMBAT LEGENDS series is a vivid spectacle of animated escapades.

Navigating through the charismatic yet perilous Hollywood scenes, our protagonist, Johnny Cage (Joel McHale), gets enveloped in a dark journey. Distancing from mere recycled narratives, MORTAL KOMBAT LEGENDS: CAGE MATCH serves a fresh plot cocktail where allure and danger, helmed by director Ethan Spaulding and writer Ed Boon, blend seamlessly. Cage, engulfed in an adventure sparked by a mysterious disappearance, traverses a lusciously detailed landscape and teetering on the brink of an abyss.

While the narrative delights in showcasing a version of Hollywood drenched in martial arts mastery and a mysterious undertow, it occasionally stretches to maintain a streamlined tone and narrative to follow. Despite these slightly jarring moments, CAGE MATCH captivates with its aesthetic allure, creating a dazzling spectacle.

The movie effuses its intrinsic Mortal Kombat charisma through meticulously orchestrated fight sequences, where each scene elevates the brutal yet elegant combat scenarios symbolic of the franchise. Scenes filled with the franchise’s signature robust fatalities and graphic injuries craft a compelling, detailed spectacle. Sharp, witty dialogues and authentic laughs are engrained within the script.

CAGE MATCH establishes itself as an independent entity within the Mortal Kombat Legends anthology, endeavoring to sever its ties from predecessors and boldly carve its narrative space. The movie binds nostalgia, action, and animation expertise while glimmering with many possibilities and exuding a daring spirit to innovate within its cinematic landscape; CAGE MATCH offers a heart-pounding and uniquely curated experience.

In this visually stunning universe, MORTAL KOMBAT LEGENDS: CAGE MATCH entrances, offering a vibrant echo with franchise stalwarts and cinema-goers alike; this is arguably one of the best spin-offs and most successful at the same time. This anthology series has connected with the fans of the game series that most animated spin-offs haven’t been able to.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
– What Would Johnny Cage Do? (featurette) – Step inside the VO Booth with Joel McHale and Jennifer Grey and go behind the scenes with the filmmakers to learn the challenges they withstood to bring Johnny Cage’s 80s action film to life.
– Ninja Mime Trailer – Relive the trailer for the greatest 80s action film ever made: NINJA MIME!
– Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match Audio Commentary – Join Producers Rick Morales and Jim Krieg and Screenwriter Jeremy Adams on an audio adventure recounting the totally tubular tale of bringing Johnny Cage’s 80s awesomeness to life.

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[photo courtesy of WARNER BROS. DISCOVER HOME ENTERTAINMENT, WARNER BROS. ANIMATION]

MY SAG-AFTRA STRIKE STATEMENT:
As an advocate for creators, actors, and writers, I firmly stand with SAG-AFTRA in their current strike. The entertainment industry is built on these individuals’ extraordinary talents, and their contributions must be appropriately recognized and rewarded. They deserve fair compensation, sensible work hours, and respect for their creative rights. I believe in the power of unity and collective action, and I’m steadfast in my support for their fight for better working conditions and fair remuneration. Together, we can shape a more equitable future in the entertainment world.

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