Mortal Kombat Legacy II (2013)
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Starring Samantha Jo, Brian Tee, Ian Anthony Dale, Casper Van Dien, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
Directed by Kevin Tancharoen
Season two of the web hit “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” has arrived… and in true video game form, it’s got some serious hit points! Spawned from a concept trailer created by director Kevin Tancharoen for a re-imagining of the Mortal Kombat film, “MK: Legacy” became a full-blown when Warner Bros. said “no” to the film but “yes” to a web series.
Shot as non-linear episodes with little to no continuity from episode to episode, season one was a prequel to the original MK game; each story showed why these characters decided to participate in the upcoming 10th tournament (also the basis for the first game). Needless to say, “MK: Legacy” became a runaway hit with gamers and MK enthusiasts around the world… now they’re back and shit’s getting really real.
Along with returning cast members, there’s some new faces!
Samantha Jo (Kitana)
She’s back and ready to battle not only her demons but sister, too… and I am STOKED to see her!
Ian Anthony Dale (Scorpion)
Everyone’s most loved and hated nemesis is back and ready for battle! Fun Fact: Dale said that while he loves donning the Scorpion gear, the hardest thing to wear are the white-out contact lenses!
Here’s where it gets exciting…not only do we see a very familiar face taking over a well-known role, we’re also introduced to some brand new ones as well!
Casper Van Dien (Johnny Cage)
Taking over the role from Matt Mullins, Starship Troopers star and all-around badass Casper Van Dien is now your Johnny Cage… and from what he’s told me, he’s in the same shape he was when he did Tarzan back in ’98 and “can almost do the splits.” What all this should tell you is that while respectful to what Linden Ashby brought to the table in the original back in ’95, Van Dien is bringing his own brand of smartass to the table and fans will giggle with glee when they hear him yell “YOU GOT CAGED!”
Brian Tee (Liu Kang)
Another new face to the MK: Legacy world would be the introduction of Liu Kang, played by Brian Tee, who most will recognize as Drift King (or D.K.) from Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift. Liu Kang is a rebellious Shaolin monk and unlike the rest of the Mortal Kombat mythology, Liu Kang will be fighting alongside Shang Tsung… which means shit just got dark and really, REALLY real.
Mark Dacascos (Kung Lao)
Another new member of the fold is Kung Lao, Shaolin monk and friend to Liu Kang who’ll be fighting against Kang for Earthrealm…which means be ready for some epic drama and fighting! If Dacascos looks familar (other than his massive list of films), you may know him as The Chairman for “Iron Chef America” and “Iron Chef Australia” or from the “Hawaii 5-0” reboot. Either way, he’s got some serious combat skills so be ready to say “WHAAAAA AWESOME” a bunch of times.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE MOST EPIC CASTING OF ALL? BECAUSE LOOK WHO’S BACK!
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Shang Tsung)
That’s right, beetches…the original gangsta from the ’95 film is BACK as the sorcerer who serves Outworld Emperor Shao Kahn. In season two, he hosts the Mortal Kombat tournament and pits his chosen crew against Earthrealm. How did this epic casting happen? The success of season one calmed Tagawa’s reservations about stepping back into the role and thanks to Tancharoen and crew, we have something super special.
ENOUGH JIBBA JABBA! Wanna see episode one? (NSFW for language)
GET OVER HERE!
I KNOW, RIGHT?! Epic bar battle AND we get to meet Liu Kang and Kung Lao in one go!
Oh yeah – if you’re looking for the “everybody’s bff” Liu Kang we knew and loved from the ’95 film, I’m sorry to say you’ll not get that here BUT when you see what led him there, I think you’ll love it even more.
The series is AMAZINGLY beautiful to look at and there isn’t one weak link on the acting side of things. Tancharoen definitely drew from his dance background when it came shooting the fight scenes, making me truly believe that NO ONE will do the next Mortal Kombat film (FINGERS CROSSED) justice like Sensei Tanch – which is my new nickname for him (because he is a MASTER).
If the thing you were missing in season one were the ‘fatal’ in fatalities, your prayers have been heard answered (sister fight for the win); before you ask, yes, Virginia… THAT fatality does indeed make an appearance…and it is FUCKING EPIC. Like “I watched it five times in a row” epic. Know what else is awesome? The ENTIRE ten episode season has been uploaded for those of you who like to inhale seasons “Netflix-style” (and there ain’t nothing wrong with that)!
The link for the next episode pops after the opening credits, so there’s no fumbling around with trying to find the thing! And with nearly every episode ringing in at 10 minutes or less (season finale is 15 min), the same amount of time to watch back-to-back would equal a 90-minute movie.
This may possibly be the BEST web-created content from a major studio I’ve seen EVER… AND I REALLY, REALLY WANT A MOVIE.
4 1/2 out of 5
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