Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match

Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match is an animated movie directed by Ethan Spauding and written by Jeremy Adams^[1] was released on Blu-ray and 4K UHD on October 17, 2023.^[2][3] It is the first installment the Mortal Kombat Legends series, acting as a prequel to the first film, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge.

Plot

During the holiday season in the 1980s, Johnny Cage, a rising action star and martial artist, is eager to propel his career forward with his upcoming movie, 'Ninja Mime'. However, his plans are disrupted when Brian Van Jones, the film's producer, expresses concern about his co-star Jennifer Grey's sudden disappearance. Determined to find her, Cage enlists the help of his trusted assistant, Chuck Golden. Their search leads them to Jennifer's mansion, where they stumble upon a chaotic scene involving two women, Ashrah and Kia, engaged in a fierce battle over a valuable scroll. Amidst the chaos, Jennifer's house is destroyed in an explosion caused by a hidden bomb.

In pursuit of answers, Cage commandeers a tour bus to follow Ashrah and Kia, resulting in a fatal accident that claims Kia's life. With Golden's assistance, Cage retrieves the scroll, discovering it to be a star map of Los Angeles with cryptic Greek inscriptions. Meanwhile, Ashrah returns to the White Lotus Society to inform Lord Raiden of the events and is advised to seek Cage's aid in the impending conflicts.

As Cage attempts to report their findings to the authorities, he is intercepted by his agent, David Doubldy, who lures him into a confrontation regarding the scroll's significance. Cage soon realizes Doubldy's true demonic nature and is forced to defend himself, ultimately defeating him. With law enforcement unwilling to intervene, Cage and Golden take matters into their own hands and head to the enigmatic Magical Mansion.

While Golden deciphers the scroll, Cage finds himself ensnared in the mansion's intrigue, invited as a guest by a mysterious figure named Jataaka. Unbeknownst to Cage, Jataaka is aligned with the Brotherhood of Shadow, a sinister cult aiming to summon their deity, Shinnok, to Earthrealm. With the help of Ashrah and Golden, Cage learns of the Brotherhood's nefarious plans to utilize the scroll and the "blood of a god" to open a gateway to the Netherrealm beneath the Oriental Theatre.

Their efforts to thwart the Brotherhood are hindered when Jennifer reveals herself as Sareena, a demon with a vested interest in Cage's destiny. Sareena discloses her involvement in orchestrating Cage's career and film endeavors to serve as a vessel for Shinnok's return. Amidst the chaos, Ashrah and Golden confront their own demons, with Golden discovering Ashrah's past affiliation with the Brotherhood.

Despite their captivity, Ashrah and Golden manage to rescue Cage before Sareena uses his blood to open the portal to the Netherrealm, unleashing Shinnok upon Earthrealm. In a desperate bid to stop the chaos, Golden proposes a plan to banish Shinnok using the scroll's magic. As Cage battles Shinnok in the streets, Golden and Ashrah face off against Jones and Sareena, who reveal their demonic forms. Through teamwork and determination, they succeed in sealing Shinnok and his minions back into the Netherrealm.

Cage emerges as a hero in the eyes of the public, celebrated for his bravery. However, as the dust settles, Ashrah decides to continue her quest to redeem herself, leaving Cage behind. Despite his initial success, Cage's career eventually falters, leading him to embark on a new film project in isolation. Meanwhile, Golden embraces his newfound identity as "Mokap," finding fulfillment as Cage's stunt double in video games. Later on, Cage is observed packing his vehicle, gearing up for the filming of his latest movie on a secluded island.

Cast

• Joel McHale as Johnny Cage
• Jennifer Grey as Sareena (Herself)
• Dusan Brown as Chuck Golden
• Grey Griffin as Kia, Little Boy, Old Lady
• Robin Atkin Downes as Shinnok
• Zehra Fazal as Jataaka
• Gilbert Gottfried as David Doubldy
• Kelly Hu as Ashrah
• Matthew Yang King as Concierge, Costumed Man
• Phil LaMarr as Brian Van Jones
• Matthew Mercer as Ethan, Bully
• Dave B. Mitchell as Raiden, Bus Driver
• Armen Taylor as Master Boyd, Mugger

Trivia

General

• This movie marks one of Gilbert Gottfried's final performances before his passing on April 12th 2022.
  • This movie was dedicated in his memory.
• The movie was released on the same day as the launch premiere of Mortal Kombat: Onslaught.
• This is the first Mortal Kombat film to be Christmas-themed.
• Chuck Golden's character design resembles actor Jaleel White.
• When Johnny tells Jataaka about his fake agent Dominic Boon a reference to the Voice director and video game writer Dominic Cianciolo and series co-creator Ed Boon.

Game Conections

• Kia and Jatakka have their designs based on their Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero costume.
• Ashrah has her design based on her Mortal Kombat Deception standard costume (excluding the hair design).
• Raiden has his design based on his Mortal Kombat costume.
• Sareena has her design based on her Mortal Kombat X costume (excluding the hair design).
• Drahmin and Moloch make cameos as part of the demons unleashed with Shinnok. They have their design based on their Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance standard costume.
• The game Chuck Golden becomes a model to Johnny Cage is a footage of Mortal Kombat Trilogy. The match features two players using Cage and Scorpion at the Courtyard.

Other

• Grey Griffin, who voiced Kitana in Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge and Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms, voices Kia.
• Kelly Hu, who previously voiced D'Vorah in Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11 and Li Mei in Mortal Kombat 1, voices Ashrah. This would make Ashrah the 6th character she has provided her voice for.

References

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