I watched this going in with no expectations because I feel like anyone expecting the MK universe to be anything but wild is, interesting. Some thoughts:
The fatalities were absolutely dope- video game level amazing.
Lin Quey and Shirai Ryu rivalry opening up the movie was amazing, and I thought this movie was going to be S Tier. Bi-Han has always been a cunt, until the day he died and became Noon Saibot when resurrected. Hanso always had baggage issues but, hey, it's from being murdered- even to the point where Raiden said "If you kill the new Sub Zero, you will effectively fuck up the entire universe".
Liu Kang was so uncomfortably unlikable it almost made me want to skip any parts he was involved or stop watching. He was like a 18 year old TikTok influencer doing the renegade, dude needs to chill with the stupid hand movements every minute he makes a sound. Sitting at dinner? Hand waving. Speaking to new fighters? Hand waving.
They did Kung Lao dirty, and Tsang Tsung was also dope. Both great characters and actors for it.
Kano's actor was single highhandedly one of the most enjoyable portrayals in all of the MK movies. The dude carried.
I HATED how their "powers" manifested, like Jax's baby arms growing through the power of friendship.
Sonya sucked, my god it's the worst they have ever made the character.
Cole is also another reason the movie did as bad as it did, like, left a sour taste in my mouth. Not only is he a brand new, movie only character and now you know he will show up in future games but he just... sucks. Like a Disney character, oh and his golden t-shirt.
Fight scenes were pretty dope, but honestly a lot of them were kind of rushed just to "get them over with." Then all of a sudden the tournament was gone.
Overall the movie is enjoyable and has some really dope parts, but man Cole, Sonya and a few other things make me hate the movie.