Mortal Kombat: Annihilation Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" significantly disappoints, burdened with a notably problematic 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer. Colors appear excessively syrupy, with skintone saturation wildly inconsistent across scenes. Black levels fluctuate drastically, veering from overly dark to fading into muted grays, while contrast inconsistency is glaring, fluctuating noticeably from scene to scene and sometimes within the same shot. Detailing is highly erratic, particularly during the film's numerous visual effects sequences, which reveal a litany of issues such as artifacting, banding, aliasing, noise, and smeared edges.

Special effects shots suffer immensely, appearing soft and unfocused, with characters awkwardly integrated into CGI-heavy scenes. The poorly rendered visual effects include significant anomalies: obvious outlines due to improper green screen work, mismatched lighting, and erratic sizing. An egregious example is Raiden's arm disappearing due to failed compositing. Additionally, skin tones are erratic—swinging from pale to unnaturally tinted—while random color tints disrupt any semblance of visual consistency.

Severe artifacting further compromises the visual integrity, with instances where the entire frame becomes pixelated and blocky. A prominent example occurs between 1:37 and 1:39, where every inch of the picture is jagged and digitally distorted. Such pervasive issues degrade the presentation to the point of near unwatchability. Overall, despite marginally outperforming its DVD counterpart, this Blu-ray transfer fails comprehensively, marred by numerous technical flaws that severely hinder the viewing experience.

Warner's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" presents a mixed bag of sonic thrills and shortcomings. Loud and bombastic, this mix prioritizes raw volume and relentless bass over finesse and control. The sound design leans heavily on blunt-force elements and carpet-bombing LFE, creating a chaotic auditory experience. Despite its brashness, dialogue remains largely clean and clear, though it occasionally gets lost in the surrounding sonic chaos. Rear speaker activity is prominent but lacks nuance, resulting in a soundfield that is more enveloping than immersive, ultimately falling short of a convincing and satisfying auditory environment.

Audibly superior to its predecessor, yet fraught with its own set of issues, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix offers a powerful and lively experience. The track is undeniably loud, with constant, rocking bass elements and effects that exhibit significant roar and depth. Localization and sound movement are effectively utilized to create a dynamic and fairly engaging listening experience, amplified by stellar ambient effects. However, the dialogue intermittently sounds hollow, and there are sporadic pops that interrupt the track’s consistency. For those who seek a high-octane, albeit imperfect, audio adventure to complement the film’s over-the-top nature, this mix serves up exactly that.

The Blu-ray extras for "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" are limited and not particularly diverse, offering slightly more than an upscaled presentation of the film. The primary additions include a standard definition theatrical trailer and a high-definition preview of an upcoming video game. A notable feature is a code providing access to a bonus costume in the PS3 version of Midway's "Mortal Kombat" reboot, albeit replicating the same classic Jade costume available with the first "Mortal Kombat" Blu-ray release. This disc offers modest added content that may appeal only to the most dedicated fans.

Extras included on this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: The film's trailer presented in standard definition.
• Videogame Preview: A brief high-definition preview of an upcoming "Mortal Kombat" game.
• Bonus Costume Code: Unlocks a classic Jade costume in the PS3 "Mortal Kombat" game.

"Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" is a quintessential case of a sequel failing to live up to its predecessor. John R. Leonetti, in his directorial debut, delivers an overwhelming and underwhelming cinematic experience that leaves much to be desired. The film suffers from a lack of narrative cohesion and excessive character introductions, expanding the roster to twenty-one fighters. Unfortunately, this results in chaotic, shallow battles and hollow performances. From its garish lycra costumes to its inferior visual effects, "Annihilation" undermines everything the original got right, making it a mind-numbing ordeal for both fans and casual viewers.

The film's attempt to cram as many characters as possible into its runtime turns it into a fan-service parody rather than a coherent story. Characters like Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, and Rayden return, but they are alongside a slew of new fighters such as Nightwolf, Sindel, and Shao-Kahn. The narrative throws out any semblance of structure, replacing it with relentless action devoid of depth or logic. Critical moments, like Johnny Cage's unceremonious death, occur without exploring the broader world's implications, reducing Earth to a battleground populated solely by warriors.

Technical blunders compound the film's issues. Fight sequences rely on clumsy wire work, poorly executed special effects, and ham-fisted performances. Leonetti's direction shows a glaring disregard for continuity and detail; characters leap from one scene to another without explanation or development. Despite a few moments of decent choreography and unintended campy charm, "Annihilation" falls flat. It's an incoherent mess that feels like an overindulgent videogame cutscene where plot and character development take a distant backseat to action set-pieces lifted directly from the source material. For fans seeking a follow-up that honors the original's spirit, this sequel is ultimately a disappointment.

"Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" on Blu-ray is a harrowing experience, both in its original content and its presentational offerings. As a follow-up to the cult favorite, this sequel falters at almost every turn. The video transfer presents a muddled image that lacks the clarity and fidelity expected from a high-definition remaster. Viewers will find the visuals plagued with grain, artifacts, and a general lack of detail that undermines any potential enjoyment of the action sequences. The color grading is inconsistent, contributing to an overall washed-out appearance that detracts from the already lackluster production design.

Audio-wise, the DTS-HD Master Audio track stands out but not necessarily for commendable reasons. While it possesses a robust and immersive quality, it ultimately amplifies the film's flaws rather than its strengths. The soundtrack is bombastic and overwhelming, overshadowing dialogue and sound effects with a cacophony that feels more abrasive than thrilling. This aggressive sound mix aligns with the chaotic nature of the film itself, offering little respite for viewers hoping for a more balanced auditory experience.

The supplemental package of the Blu-ray is disappointingly sparse, with only a couple of trailers included as extras. This lack of substantial bonus content further diminishes the value of the release. Given the underwhelming video quality and the overpowering audio presentation, coupled with negligible extras, it's clear that this release fails to add any redeeming qualities to an already poorly received film.

In conclusion, "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" on Blu-ray does little to endear itself to fans or newcomers. The technical aspects of the release are flawed to the point of distraction, making it difficult to consider this edition worth purchasing. Skip this dismal sequel and invest in the original film instead for a more satisfying and coherent martial arts fantasy experience.