Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins
Movie, 1995, The '90s, Set in An animated prequel
Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins is #1 of 12 in release order and #2 of 12 in chronological order in the Mortal Kombat.
The story
As the three chosen defenders of Earth travel to Shang Tsung's island, Rayden teaches them how to become the masters of their destinies, overcome their foes, and control their powers. Liu Kang, Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage must defeat Shang Tsung, Sub Zero, Scorpion and Goro in a tournament of Mortal Kombat if they are to survive and save the fate of the earth.
Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins recap
This short animated prequel to the 1995 film follows Liu Kang, Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade on a mysterious ship bound for the Mortal Kombat tournament. Sonya is on board following a tip about a wanted man. The sorcerer Shang Tsung appears with Sub-Zero and Scorpion and attacks the group, until Raiden teleports in and scolds Shang Tsung for breaking the tournament's rules. On the way and on the island, Raiden explains the stakes and the history of the people they will face, told in animated sequences between the fights: how Shang Tsung defeated a temple master a thousand years ago, the blood feud between Scorpion and Sub-Zero, who killed Scorpion long ago and now serves alongside him, and Goro, the four-armed champion. Liu Kang learns that his ancestor, the Great Kung Lao, once beat Shang Tsung, only to be killed by Goro, who gave his soul to the sorcerer. Goro sends an army of warriors against the heroes.
Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins ending explained
After the battle, Raiden declares that Shang Tsung has broken the rules again. Shang Tsung appears, tells the fighters they cannot win and should lose gracefully, and announces that the tournament proper is about to begin before vanishing. As more of his warriors arrive, Raiden says it has begun, leading straight into the opening of the live-action Mortal Kombat, released the same year.
Ratings
IMDb 3.7/10
Where it fits
- Release order: first, before Mortal Kombat.
- Chronological order: after Mortal Kombat: Conquest, before Mortal Kombat.
What to watch before Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins
Nothing. Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins is the first of the Mortal Kombat essentials, so it's the place to start.
Cast
- Jeff Bennett as Johnny Cage / Scorpion (voice)
- Jim Cummings as Shang Tsung / Sub-Zero (voice)
- Ron Feinberg as Rayden / Goro (voice)
- Jennifer Hale as Sonya Blade (voice)
- Randy Hamilton as Liu Kang (voice)
Directed by Joseph Francis.