Mortal Kombat II – Review

Mortal Kombat II – Budget of $80 million – 1 hour and 56 minutes

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Princess Kitana lives under the rule of Shao Kahn after he killed her father, King Jerrod, and enslaved her mother, Queen Sindel. Kitana dreams of the day that the people of Edenia are free from Shao Kahn and the Outworld. Today, she trains with her friend and sparring partner Jade. Jade works as Shao’s sword and warns Kitana to stay on Shao’s good side. Jade knows Shao Khan’s devious plan. He sent his underlings to retrieve Shinnok’s amulet. He will use the amulet to reanimate the dead and make himself immortal. Immortal, he will win Mortal Kombat. He’s won 9 tournaments so far. He will rule the Earthrealm if he and his underlings win the 10th.

Has-been actor Johnny Cage packs up his car after a convention. Lord Raiden and Sonya Blade appear behind him and tell him that he was chosen for Mortal Kombat. Johnny laughs and tells them to go home. Then, Lord Raiden opens a portal. Curiosity gets the best of Johnny, and he walks through. Johnny meets Cole Young, Jax Briggs, and Liu Kang. Unfortunately, they lost Kung Lao in a tournament. They explain the rules of Mortal Kombat to Johnny, but he doesn’t want to participate. They let him leave, and he goes to a bar.

Mortal Kombat starts, and two are up for battle. Sonya is the first pick, but everyone looks around, waiting for the second. At the bar, Johnny teleports to fight. Johnny’s a part of the tournament for the Earthrealm. Will he survive Mortal Kombat with no powers after Shao Kahn becomes immortal?

This eye-catching sequel is leaps and bounds ahead of the first. The opening credits use the game’s font and color scheme. The script removes the game’s explanation and creates a rich backstory for viewers to follow. It helps to see the first film to understand the previous characters and how they tie into the story. However, the 2-second flashbacks help. This movie is funnier, bloodier, and more graphic than the first. The fights are expertly choreographed, and the kill scenes are spot on. Gamer fans will even see their favorite moves and sets and hear the beloved catchphrases. This film will revitalize the gaming movie industry and prove it can be made with eye-catching CGI and a well-crafted story. The pacing does slow down in the middle with inner turmoil, but the new worlds make up for it. This film is for die-hard gamer fans and novice admirers alike.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

It’s showtime – Johnny Cage

Maybe don’t lose – Jax

And you are supposed to be running – Lord Raiden

Don’t make me do this – Lui Kang

What’d I miss – Sonya Blade

You are really not the pillows type – Jade

You are the one who taught me that anything can be a weapon – Princess Kitana

The Sheep Detectives – Review

The Sheep Detectives – Budget of $75 million – 1 hour and 49 minutes

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Shepherd George writes to Rachel about his flock. He’s named them and notices they have distinct personalities. Lily is the smartest and most compassionate, Sebastian is the loner, and Cloud is a diva. George prides himself on keeping up their routine. Every night, he picks up a murder mystery novel and reads to them. He’s not sure if they can understand, but they act as they do.

George goes into Denbrook to visit the local church run by Reverend Hillcoate. Hillcoate asks George to join them, but he says no. Instead, he grabs the collection plate from butcher Ham Gilyard, adds a wad of cash, and leaves it at the altar. George has biting words for Ham before he exits the church. George returns home and meets with another shepherd, Caleb. Caleb tries to make a deal, but George kicks him out.

Later, George gives his letter to the mailwoman, Jo. Jo stops to pick up mail from the innkeeper, Beth Pennock, on her rounds. Beth sees a letter from George, and Jo dishes the gossip. She tells Beth that George corresponded with Rachel from America several times. She thinks it’s love letters because he uses rose-scented paper. When Jo turns her back, Beth steals the letter.

Reporter Elliot Matthews strolls into town to cover the Denbrook Cultural Festival. He’s shocked to find 3 tents behind the inn for a $10 entry fee. Officer Tim Derry shows off each table with pride. After an uneventful day, Elliot leaves town but runs into a tree. He sees a flash in George’s trailer in the distance. He rents a room at the inn until the local mechanic repairs his car.

The sheep wake up to find George sprawled out in the field. Lily thinks he’s sleeping, but Mopple tells her that he died. Unlike sheep, humans don’t become clouds. Lily and the sheep believe someone murdered George. However, Officer Tim thinks George had a heart attack. So, the sheep guide Tim to their findings. Also, Elliot arrives and suggests that Tim look inside the trailer. Tim finds two glasses, a revised will, and an upended chair. Tim labels George’s death suspicious until he gets the toxicology report.

The sheep watch as George’s lawyer, Lydia Harbottle, arrives and takes charge. She reads George’s revised will and tells Tim to gather the aforementioned people at the inn. Lydia kicks Elliot out of the room as Rachel, Hilcoate, Gilyard, Caleb, and Tim join her. Rachel shocks everyone by introducing herself as George’s long-lost daughter. Surprisingly, she has a twin brother who lives in South Africa. Lydia sits everyone down and reads from George’s will. He states that there is a fool, a bad shepherd, a winter lamb, and two murderers in the room. He leaves everything to his children, but the money, $30 million, to Rachel. Tim discovered that someone had poisoned George. Now Rachel is his number one suspect. The sheep don’t believe she did it. They will work to uncover who killed their shepherd.

Based on Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann, this film is charming, smart, and hilarious (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). First, the script is funny and follows the formula for a great murder mystery. There are plenty of suspects and motives. And George’s will points a finger at everyone. The script drops enough clues to point a keen detective in the right direction. However, there are enough red herrings to keep you occupied. The CGI sheep are well-animated. You will forget they aren’t real. The film perspective switches from the sheep’s to the people’s several times. So you get insight from both angles. The script pulls you in with captivating characters, unique punchlines, and a compelling mystery. And you will never forget how the sheep describe god. One character that will tug at your heartstrings is the winter lamb. Their stories and treatment will leave you misty-eyed. See this film with the family.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars

I bet he’s a vegetarian – Ham

I’m coming in – Caleb

That’s pretty cool – Tim

Well, yes, of course – Mopples

I’m not here to join you – George

This is a weird town – Rachel

I can’t – Lily