First Mortal Kombat live-action short is as classy and serious as the games aren't. Also great

Directed by Kevin Tancharoen, the man behind the rather excellent reimagined, real-worldMortal Kombat short "Rebirth", part one is a grimy, punchy re-telling of one of Sonya and Jax's early run-ins with a pre-metal-face Kano and the Black Dragon group. There's also a couple of nice foreshadowing references, and the promise of much more reworked MK lore to come in the next nine parts. It's worth a watch however you feel about the game series.

Impressed so far? Intrigued as to how Tancharoen is going to reimagine the series' more fantastical elements in this tone? Secretly hoping he just makes a long, episodic version of his Rebirth film? I am, but how about you?

April 12th, 2011

David Houghton
Long-time GR+ writer Dave has been gaming with immense dedication ever since he failed dismally at some '80s arcade racer on a childhood day at the seaside (due to being too small to reach the controls without help). These days he's an enigmatic blend of beard-stroking narrative discussion and hard-hitting Psycho Crushers.