Neon lights… Suits with shoulder pads… Jumping from explosions in slow motion… In 1980s Hollywood, action star Johnny Cage (Joel McHale) is looking to become an A-list actor. But when his costar, Jennifer (Jennifer Grey), goes missing from set, Johnny finds himself thrust into a world filled with shadows, danger and deceit. As he embarks on a bloody journey, Johnny quickly discovers the City of Angels has more than a few devils in its midst. He faces off against a sinister secret society plotting a nefarious scheme, but the brutal fight against the bloodthirsty warriors of the Netherrealm is just beginning. Can Johnny, alongside other Mortal Kombat legends, save humanity…and, more importantly, his career?
For thoughts on Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match comes to 4K UHD Blu-Ray from Warner Bros. which might just set a new bar for the series. Unlike the previous entries, there is not a standard Blu-Ray included, so direct comparisons are not quite possible this time out. One of the big shifts in this latest entry is the dazzling ‘80s color palette, which offers a bit more pop than the foreboding aesthetic of the first three films. Each has its place in storytelling, but this entry is just pure eye candy that goes insane with the HDR enhancements. The bright and sunny Hollywood locale mixed with the pastels of the era saturates the screen with a ferociousness.
Black levels are very deep and do not succumb to any compression artifacts or other anomalies. Warner Animation Blu-Ray discs have often showcased a small bit of banding, but this 4K UHD presentation does not suffer from this in the slightest. The line work stays crisp and refined throughout the presentation, and the screen renders depth favorably. While the Blu-Ray release undoubtedly looks nice, this 4K UHD presentation is a visual treat that will reward any fans who pick it up.
Audio Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc offers the exact same DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix that should be present on the Blu-Ray. Like the video side of the equation, the audio is firing on all cylinders. While this effort starts out more dialogue-driven and quippy, you soon get to all of the bone-crunching and squishy blood sounds you expect from the franchise. Sounds are completely immersive and offer some visceral sounds that bring the confrontations straight to your living room. The sound design of the film is impeccably crafted to give all of the speakers a lot of activity.
The near-constant dialogue is balanced perfectly with the sound effects and the score so no information is ever overwhelmed in the mix. This track delivers a powerful low-end response that suits the material incredibly. This dynamic track captures the kinetic energy of the movie very well. Every set piece offers up a comprehensive soundscape that makes the world feel spacious. Warner Bros. has done a great job here. There are optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles provided.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Producers Rick Morales and Jim Krieg and Screenwriter Jeremy Adams provide a very entertaining commentary track in which they discuss shifting styles dramatically from the first three films, why it is a miracle this movie was even made, embracing the ‘80s aesthetic, easter eggs galore, the evolution of the script, the personal elements put into the story, using lesser known characters, and much more. Always a great addition to these releases!
- What Would Johnny Cage Do?: A nearly ten-minute featurette in which various creatives discuss the film as a departure from the previous entries, the characters of Johnny Cage, the performance of Joel McHale, bringing Jennifer Grey in as a villainous character, the fun with music, and more.
- Ninja Mime Trailer: A minute-long fake trailer for the movie being produced within this feature film.
Final Thoughts
Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match is a big change of pace for the series, but it is a necessary one if we want to continue getting unique stories from the line in the future. If we are being honest, Johnny Cage has never been our favorite character, but this movie does a nice job of showcasing why he is beloved by many. His arrogant and conceited demeanor occasionally falters long enough to see the man inside, and the near-constant waterfall of quips emanating from him land more than they don’t. The film does deliver what you want from a Mortal Kombat film, but it goes about it in a way that feels fresh and exciting. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a dazzling A/V presentation and a couple of fun special features. Fans of the franchise should pick this one up with confidence. Recommended
Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match will be available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital on October 17, 2023.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.