Can you believe that it's been ten years since Mortal Kombat (2011) or Mortal Kombat 9 has been released? Yup, and it means that it's also five years since Mortal Kombat X was released on the 20th anniversary of the Mortal Kombat Hollywood movie. Think about it 2011 would be the 25th anniversary or the silver anniversary year. MKX clearly had references to the film for its upcoming 20th anniversary but do we forget that MK (2011) also had references to the movie as well aside from being heavily influenced by Mortal Kombat II?
The most obvious one is Shang Tsung's catchphrase is used in the game
Before Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa reprised his role for the video game --it turned out that he was supposed to voice the sorcerer for the 2011 game. The design of Shang Tsung was really (and partly) inspired by Kabai Singh from The Phantom. The sorcerer's intro should have him say "YOUR SOUL IS MINE!" done by Andrew Kishino. Sure, Tagawa wasn't around but Andrew Kishino still did justice to the phrase. I guess Ed Boon wanted Tagawa to be Shang Tsung as a tribute to the movie. Though Kishino could've also said, "IT HAS BEGUN!" or "Now for a taste of things to come." to pay tribute to the actor.
Some cast designs were partly based on the MK film even if we didn't get the voices
It's REALLY obvious that some cast designs were heavily based on the MK (1995) film. I do still feel that Liu Kang DOES look like Robin Shou, Johnny Cage does look like Linden Ashby (and the secondary attire seems to suggest it), and Sonya Blade nearly looks like Brigitte Wilson-Sampras than she would be an obvious Sarah Bryant or Nina Williams inspired character for the reboot. Kano did get his appearance looking like the late Trevor Goddard in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe though this game even used it more. Kitana also looks like Talisa Soto in this game. What would be missing is Raiden looking like Christopher Lambert with the classic phrase, "I don't think so!" Though this game's Raiden deserved a Mr. Bean skin for going FULL RETARD.
The boat from the MK (1995) movie can be found in Shang Tsung's Courtyard
What was so interesting to see is that the Courtyard had the boat straight up from the MK (1995) film except it was missing the dragon head. It's also an extended nod to Enter the Dragon -- the movie the partly inspired the MK (1995) film in many of its plots.
Blink and you will miss that Goro's sitting in a chair in his lair when you're not fighting him
Goro's Lair is selectable as an arena in VS. Mode while it's used to fight either Goro or Kintaro in the Arcade Ladder. When Goro isn't fought then notice that this is the ONLY incarnation of Goro's Lair (before MK11) with a very much alive Goro is sitting on his throne in HIS LAIR. Goro awaits his turn to compete in the first tournament. More interestingly, Goro in the game seems to be a bleached version of the movie version. Goro usually has no pupils but in MK (2011) -- he does have them without explanation like how Mileena suddenly had lips in MKX. However, unlike the movie, Goro is defeated by Liu Kang which was also true for the original game canon.
The Liu Kang meets Kitana part in the movie
The original MK storyline had them not meeting until MKII. However, in this one, Kitana meets Liu Kang in the first tournament. Yup, they even had a match here and she lost. It would have been cooler though IF the fight took place in the Courtyard and Shang Tsung said, "You disappoint me!" Still, you can't deny that the reference is CLEARLY THERE.
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What are your thoughts on these nods to the first MK movie? Any thoughts as a reboot film would soo be released?
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