Mortal Kombat (2021)

‘Mortal Kombat’ is a 2021 action movie starring Lewis Tan (Wu Assassians), Jessica McNamee (The Meg), Josh Lawson (Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues), Joe Taslim (Fast & Furious 6), Mehcad Brooks (True Blood), and Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine). So we all know Mortal Kombat is based off the popular video game from the 90’s, and was made into a popular movie from 1995 that has had a cult like following. In this version, Earths greatest warriors, the one’s with the dragon mark, are being hunted by Outworld’s best warrior, Sub-Zero, in order to ensure Outworld wins the Mortal Kombat tournament. Earth’s greatest warriors must now team up and defeat Outworld, and Sub-zero before they’re all killed off.

There is a lot of hype surrounding this movie, I’ve seen memes, video clips, posts, etc.. all hyping this movie on social media. I think the majority of it, is just the nostalgia fact of the 90s. I remember when the 1995 version came out, I saw it when I was about 8 years old, then went around the house kicking and punching and twirling around, like I was next up to compete in the tournament and fight to the death. I’ll never forget that, It wasn’t a quality movie by any means, but we all watched it for the fight scenes. Honestly, it sums up this version as well, I wouldn’t describe it as a quality movie, but the fight scenes are awesome. They did a great job nailing the nostalgia, it has a 90s feel to it the entire film. From the music, to the writing on the opening scene, to the scenery itself. If I didn’t know it was made in 2021, I would have sworn it was a 90’s movie. The acting is good, and it is filled with funny part (mostly from Kanos), the fight scenes are awesome, but overall, the story is a little cheesy and it’s more or less the nostalgia that makes it. If it wasn’t for that, not much would separate it from a fighting/action movie you could find on cable TV. I went and saw it in theaters, if that’s not an option for you, you can watch it on HBO Max. I give it a 6.5/10.

Tom and Jerry

‘Tom and Jerry’ is the 2021 family/comedy adaptation of everyone’s favorite fighting cat and mouse. They finally bring them to life and give them a shot at the big screen, it stars Chloe Grace Mortez (Kick-Ass), Michael Pena (Ant-Man), Jordan Bolger (Peaky Blinders), Pallavi Sharda (Lion), Ken Jeong (The Hangover), and Colin Jost (How to Be Single). Tom and Jerry are in the big apple, and with no where to live they both try to move into a prestigious hotel. There’s a royal wedding happening that weekend and the hotel doesn’t need a mouse problem so they hire Tom to get rid of Jerry, and now we have our classic tale of the two.

As I’ve stated in previous posts, I’m in an area where theaters are still an option, which I love, so we went to see this one in theaters. However, if you don’t have the option to see it in theaters you can catch it on HBO Max. There’s a lot of mixed reviews on this movie, most ranging in the not good and okay area. I personally don’t think it’s bad movie, but starring Chloe Grace Mortez, Pena, and Jeong I was expecting it to be a lot funnier than it was, it’s pretty slow in parts. Tom and Jerry take a back seat, and are more of a secondary story in their own movie. The main story is about Chloe Grace Mortez impersonating someone else and taking a job on at the hotel and trying to pull off coordinating the perfect wedding for the royal couple. So that’s a little offsetting, that they’re not even the main part of their own movie. On top of that Tom and Jerry become friends, which yes is good, but that’s not the Tom and Jerry we all came to know and love. We love how Tom continuously comes after Jerry with his halfcocked plans that never work out in the end. Most of their fighting and craziness is in the trailer, there’s not much outside of that. I think it’s a good heartfelt family movie, but it is a little forgettable and underwhelming. I give it a 6.5/10, not bad but not great either.

The Little Things

I’m excited to be doing my first review of a 2021 movie, and what better one than ‘The Little Things’. This is the biggest movie so far of 2021, which really isn’t saying much considering there isn’t a whole lot being released right now. They bring a heavy hitting cast staring Denzel Washington (Training Day), Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), Jared Leto (Suicide Squad),and Natalie Morales (Santa Clarita Diet). A burnt out, one time hot shot cop (Washington), returns to his old stomping grounds in L.A. and teams up with new hot shot detective (Malek) to track down a serial killer (Leto).

I’m fortunate enough to be in an area still showing movies in theaters, but if you’re not HBO Max is showing it as well. Washington, Malek, and Leto all play great roles, but the problem doesn’t lie in their acting, but in the story itself. The story really drags for what it is, it feels its full two hour and seven minute run time. Again the acting is great just not the story, I’m a huge fan of Malek, and if you need a weird role, Leto will nail it. My wife described this movie as seriously boring, and two others I talked to about it, one liked and it and one described it as “ok”. I would still recommend seeing it, but don’t be surprised if you find it as just okay. Unfortunately, it’s not the slam dunk we were all hoping for, and falls into mediocracy. I give it a 6.5/10.