Mortal Kombat: Every Character From The 1995 Movie, Ranked
Some of Mortal Kombat's character adaptations are completely forgettable, while others were so good they changed the character's in-game.
The cast of Mortal Kombat games is filled with unique characters each with iconic designs and special abilities. Over the years, those characters would go on to have expansive backstories and lore behind them to make them even more iconic.
In 1995, several characters from the games would be seen in live-action via the Mortal Kombat movie. A cult gem that has become a classic for many fans of the franchise and those who grew up in the 1990s. Many of the interpretations of characters remain timeless to this day, while others could have been better.
12 Jax
Even by 1995, Jax had a starring role in the games and was a fan favorite. So, it stings when Jax can be seen in only two scenes of the movie. With very few lines, Jax was nothing more than a glorified cameo. There's nothing else really to say other than it was a waste of a character.
The character did end up returning in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation but played by a different actor. In the 2021 reboot, he has an upgraded starring role played by Mehcad Brooks.
11 Sub-Zero
While the character has an entertaining battle with Liu Kang, Sub-Zero is a silent thug: nothing more. There's no information on his expansive backstory about him being an assassin of the Lin Kuei clan. Only a slight mention that he and Scorpion are enemies.
Sub-Zero never even gets a single line of dialog. Instead, he's just there to be killed by Liu Kang; the said death is by ice, which doesn't make much sense for obvious reasons.
10 Kitana
Talisa Soto looks great in the role and seems to be able to fight well enough. Unfortunately, Kitana's entire role throughout the Mortal Kombat movie is to be an exposition machine. If Raiden is not there to provide an explanation, Kitana does the job for him.
Kitana never even gets the chance to have one scene to showcase her skills and abilities. The character's signature bladed fans never even appear in the film.
9 Scorpion
The poster child of the franchise faired better than Sub-Zero, but only by a smidge. First, he's voiced by the co-creator of the games himself: Ed Boon. That detail is nice and he has one great fight with Johnny Cage, which ends in one of the only fatalities in the movie.
Other than that, Scorpion has just as little development as Sub-Zero. Not a single mention of his tragic backstory involving his family and clan being murdered by Sub-Zero. On top of that, the movie strangely decided to change his spear to a creature that comes out of his hand.
8 Goro
For 1995, the practical effects for Goro weren't bad, but they certainly did not age well. His movements are wonky and his expressions almost never change. This was the result of the animatronics apparently being as difficult as the shark from Jaws.
That being said, Kevin Michael Richardson nails the bombastic and larger-than-life personality of Goro. Goro's fight with Johnny Cage has also turned the rivalry between the two characters famous. Even the games would reference this fight.
7 Reptile
Whenever Reptile is in his true Saurian form? It is downright awful CGI, even for 1995 standards. The camouflage and spit abilities are a nice touch but the character is still a far cry from the games. However, Reptile is given a much-needed upgrade in the final act thanks to reshoots.
Reptile transforms into his human form and fights Liu Kang. It's easily the best fight in the film with some heart-pumping music. So Reptile was a mixed bag but at least he provided the most entertaining sequence in the movie.
6 Kano
Trevor Goddard's Kano is actually one of the most impactful portrayals. Before the movie, Kano was completely different in design and character. After the movie, Kano has been depicted as an Australian degenerate in the games ever since.
This shows how well Kano was done, with Trevor Goddard providing a disgustingly charming performance. In every scene, his Kano is the epitome of a scumbag who is threatening, charismatic, and hate-worthy. The only flaw about the character is that he deserved more time on-screen rather than being killed off.
5 Raiden
These days, Christopher Lambert's Raiden is vastly different from the almost Shakespearian performance that Richard Epcar gives to the character. Still, Lambert's was the first time Raiden was given any kind of personality. He's less of a stoic warrior and more of a jovial entity that toys with the heroes while giving advice.
This version of Raiden is genuinely funny but in a good way. He provides a dark sense of humor but can be serious and intimidating when he wants to be. This version of Raiden was so beloved that Christopher Lambert returned as a DLC skin for Raiden in Mortal Kombat 11.
4 Sonya Blade
Originally, Sonya was going to be played by Cameron Diaz but due to an injury, Bridgette Wilson was rushed in to play her. This would have resulted in disaster but fortunately, they were smart to film her action sequences last. So, Wilson trained every day when she wasn't shooting.
The final result showcased how well Bridgette Wilson was able to fight. Bridgette Wilson also perfectly portrayed Sonya's hardened and untrusting personality with ease. The only downside is that the character is reduced to a damsel in distress in the third act. However, she remains a classic who also was added to Mortal Kombat 11.
3 Liu Kang
Martial artist and actor Robin Shou was born to play Liu Kang. His portrayal gave the typically bland character an edge and a character arc. Liu Kang is given the motivation to attend the Mortal Kombat tournament to avenge his brother's murder.
By the end, he becomes the chosen one, not for revenge but because he learns responsibility. It's not a deep arc but it is an arc nonetheless, and Robin Shou plays the character well. On top of it all, Robin Shou performed all the fights himself and always knocked it out of the park.
2 Johnny Cage
Everyone's favorite Hollywood movie star turned Earthrealm defender. Johnny Cage is played by Linden Ashby, who perfectly balances the humorous nature of the character and the awesome fighter. His fights fit the character, he has the famous sunglasses, and he even has the signed picture like in Mortal Kombat II.
Linden Ashby's portrayal would inspire many references in the games and be the starring DLC of the movie skin pack. Some would argue that it's because of Ashby that Johnny Cage garnered such popularity to become the new star of the games.
1 Shang Tsung
Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa's portrayal of Shang Tsung has become one of the most beloved cult classic villains that reinvented the character for the games much like Kano. Tagawa plays the character with so much charm yet deviousness that it's impossible to hate him. He can be sinister and creepy while showing why he is a champion of Outworld.
Meanwhile, in other scenes, he can be darkly humorous as well as surprisingly polite. His signature line, "Your soul is mine." Has become the character's catchphrase in the games. The love for the character was so overwhelming that Tagawa returned to provide the face and voice of the character as Mortal Kombat 11's secondary villain.