In the realm of martial arts cinema, the quality of fight choreography often surpasses the narrative or special effects. The battles in Mortal Kombat II: The Movie are particularly striking, staging interesting and sometimes unexpected encounters between the game’s iconic characters. Read on to discover every confrontation featured in this film.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for the movie. However, knowing the fights and their outcomes does not compare to experiencing them on the big screen.
Shao Kahn vs. Jerrod
The film opens with this fight, introducing the narrative by depicting how Outworld conquered the Edenian Realm when the Emperor defeated King Jerrod in the Mortal Kombat tournament.
Winner: Shao Kahn
Johnny Cage vs. Goons
This fight takes place within one of Johnny Cage’s fictional films, Uncaged Fury. Intentionally mimicking the style of 80s and early 90s B-movie martial arts flicks, its deliberate cheesiness makes it entertaining. Many of the moves he performs here he will later have to execute “for real” when he joins the Mortal Kombat tournament.
Winner: Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage vs. Kitana
The first bout of the initial Mortal Kombat tournament phase pits Johnny (Earthrealm’s champion) against Kitana (Outworld’s representative). Johnny’s reluctance to “hit a girl” and his disbelief that the situation is real give the Princess an advantage. The highlight of this fight is Kitana’s masterful use of her fans, showcasing abilities not seen in the games. Ultimately, Kitana has the opportunity to finish her opponent but chooses not to.
Winner: Kitana
Sonya Blade vs. Sindel
Shao Kahn employs the necromantic powers of the sorcerer Quan Chi to resurrect ancient enemies as controlled ‘revenants.’ Among them is Sindel, Kitana’s mother and former Queen of Edenia. Shao Kahn not only keeps her as his consort but also as a warrior. She faces Sonya Blade at the bottom of a pit during one of the early tournament matches, a treacherous arena filled with sharp spikes that both fighters narrowly avoid.
At the conclusion of their battle, Sindel’s formidable screams prove no match for Sonya’s skill, and Sindel is impaled.
Winner: Sonya Blade
Cole Young vs. Shao Kahn
This fight occurs during the second phase of the Mortal Kombat tournament. The protagonist from the previous film has virtually no chance against the Emperor of Outworld. Shao Kahn is marked by Shinnok’s Amulet, rendering him immortal, and any wounds Cole inflicts with his tonfas and energy-absorbing abilities heal instantly. The battle unfolds in the iconic Pool of Death from the Mortal Kombat II game. After Kahn shatters the Earthrealm warrior’s head with his hammer, Cole’s body is thrown into the acid.
Winner: Shao Kahn
Jax vs. Jade
Another match from the tournament’s second phase. Despite the power of Jax’s robotic arms, Jade shines in this combat with her acrobatic prowess and impossible staff maneuvers. While Jax, an Earthrealm Special Forces member, ultimately wins the bout, the Edenian guardian undoubtedly proves to be the more skilled combatant of the two. At the end, at Kitana’s request, Jax spares Jade’s life.
Winner: Jax
Liu Kang vs. Kung Lao
This second-phase tournament fight takes place within the Blue Portal from the Sega Genesis version of MKII and is visually spectacular. It allows actors Ludi Lin and Max Huang to showcase their martial arts expertise, fully utilizing Kung Lao’s deadly bladed hat as a weapon. At times, the action feels as if it’s being viewed from the hat’s perspective as it whirls through the arena. The fight culminates in a brutal Fatality.
Winner: Liu Kang
Johnny Cage vs. Baraka
Seeking a way to infiltrate Shao Kahn’s palace, Earthrealm’s warriors turn to the Tarkatan Tribe. Johnny Cage finds himself confronting their leader, Baraka. Johnny initially appears out of his element, more focused on evasion than combat, until he finds his courage and defeats Baraka with moves inspired by his films, including his signature “nut punch.”
Winner: Johnny Cage
Liu Kang and Jax vs. Shao Kahn
While attempting to destroy Shinnok’s Amulet, Liu Kang and Jax find themselves facing the Emperor. Liu employs impressive skills, including his fire dragons, and Jax succeeds in destroying the relic’s container. However, Noob Saibot escapes with it, and Jax loses his life. Before the fight concludes, both Liu Kang and Shao Kahn are summoned to the tournament.
No Winner
Liu Kang and Sonya Blade vs. Shao Kahn
Although Kitana was meant to continue in the tournament, her alliance with Earthrealm is discovered, and she is taken prisoner. This poses no threat to Shao Kahn, who fearlessly confronts two warriors in the third and final phase of Mortal Kombat, as he is immortal. He easily incapacitates Sonya and seemingly kills Liu Kang. However, Liu Kang willingly goes to the Netherrealm to rescue his friend Kung Lao.
Are Liu Kang’s Fire God powers beginning to awaken?
Winner: Shao Kahn
Johnny Cage, Kano, and Scorpion vs. Noob Saibot
As the final phase of Mortal Kombat unfolds in Outworld, Johnny Cage and Kano travel to the Netherrealm and recruit Scorpion to help them find their old enemy Bi Han and destroy the Amulet. Noob Saibot, the Lin Kuei assassin’s new identity, can create shadow clones, allowing him to face the three warriors simultaneously. Ultimately, he falls to the combined efforts of Kano, Scorpion, the newly arrived Jade, and Johnny Cage’s reawakened powers.
Winners: Johnny Cage, Kano, and Scorpion
Kitana vs. Shao Kahn
Near the story’s climax, the film recognizes Princess Kitana as a more central protagonist than many other characters, allowing her to be the warrior who defeats her father, Shao Kahn. After the Amulet’s destruction, Shao Kahn is no longer immortal.
Winner: Kitana
These were all the fights featured in Mortal Kombat II: The Movie. Which was your favorite?
