237 Summary
After the menacing man uttered the chilling words, "You will be next," his face morphed into a monstrous visage, sending a shiver through the audience. The unsettling moment lingered briefly before transitioning to a scene featuring an Asian man sitting on a bed, his expression reflecting shock.
As the scene unfolded, the audience grasped that the initial sequence was nothing more than a dream. Nevertheless, it commenced with a powerful yet strikingly violent scene.
The man with sharply defined yet thick eyebrows left a lasting impression on viewers. Many had encountered such a character in Hong Kong films, where individuals of similar appearance often played menacing roles. Film critics acknowledged the effectiveness of these antagonist archetypes in martial arts Asian movies, although they acknowledged that such portrayals could sometimes verge on cliché.
As the film unfolded, a character emerged, reminiscent of 'Terminator,' as one of the guy's eyes appeared cybernetic.
Subsequently, Sonya Blade, armed with guns, engaged in a firefight. The echoing gunshots scattered the bustling crowd as she adeptly took down a man aiming at her.
Approaching the fallen adversary, she swiftly searched his body for a wallet, a phone, and more. However, none of the man's belongings provided the lead Sonya Blade needed in her investigation.
Based on the dialogue preceding the scene, the audience inferred that the skilled woman was likely searching for the 'Terminator'-like character, Kano.
Continuing the story, the antagonist, named Shang Tsung, assumed a deceptive guise as an elderly American man to entice Hollywood star Johnny Cage into a tournament. The transformation effect of Shang Tsung appeared remarkably realistic, thanks to the meticulous and advanced CGI and 3D animations by KiShin.
Meanwhile, the main character, Liu, entered a temple in China. With mysterious origins, he possessed white hair, blue eyes that flickered like lightning, and wore a bamboo hat. Liu engaged in conversation with an old monk.
As the narrative unfolded, it revealed a tournament taking place in the Outerworld. The man in the temple, concealed by a bamboo hat, with white hair and magical eyes, turned out to be a God of Thunder and the protector of the Earthrealm.
As the audience immersed themselves in the narrative, they were particularly impressed by the film's special effects and CGI.
The storyline revolving around a tournament in the Outerworld captured their interest. The fight scenes were both intense and brutal, featuring moments like a mob member being kicked in a particularly sensitive area.
The cast's combat against the antagonist forces stood out for its uniqueness, resembling a Jackie Chan movie. The choreography avoided stiffness, maintaining a natural and well-paced flow. Movements in the fight scenes were not only smooth but also carried a sense of brutality.
Unbeknownst to many, KiShin had actually invited Jackie Chan for suggestions on the fight scenes. While Chan didn't direct the film, his valuable ideas and input significantly enhanced the creativity in the 'Mortal Kombat' fight sequences.
The plot of the film 'Mortal Kombat' unfolded to be much more intricate and captivating than audiences initially anticipated. The seemingly invincible antagonist turned out to be a subordinate of the Outerworld Emperor, and Shang Tsung, once perceived as the ultimate threat, was revealed to be a sorcerer.
Shang Tsung manipulated the forces of the Outerworld to confront Liu, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade, aided by the God of Thunder, Lord Raiden.
In a specific scene where outerworld mobs attempted to overwhelm Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade, the God of Thunder, Lord Raiden, seated serenely on a rock, warned the hundreds of outerworld mobs with lightning sparking on his fingers and eyes. The lightning special effects, enhanced by advanced CGI and animations by KiShin, appeared simultaneously cool and menacing. As Lord Raiden challenged the mobs, he said, "You give it a try."
Subsequent scenes featured the characters battling Outerworld creatures, including a four-armed opponent. One particularly impressive moment for the audience was when Shang Tsung absorbed the life energy and soul of a person, declaring "Fatality" with an echoing effect that left a lasting impression.
The soundtrack had a distinct video game vibe, even for those unfamiliar with the 'Mortal Kombat' video games. Many felt that KiShin might be considering adapting the film into a video game, given the unmistakable quality of the soundtrack.
---
As the 'Mortal Kombat' film premiered in New York, the collaboration between KiShin and Microsoft was officially sealed.
Will Gates himself was genuinely pleased with the collaboration, as KiShin expressed willingness to make their PC video games available on the Microsoft operating system. Furthermore, he eagerly anticipated KiShin's upcoming video game that promised to redefine the landscape of PC gaming.
The game was set to be released on both Apple computers and Microsoft OS, bearing the title 'Warcraft: Orcs & Humans.'
Will Gates found his excitement justified after playing the game and discovering its Real-Time Strategy (RTS) nature. Impressed by the gameplay, he and his friends were convinced that 'Warcraft: Orcs & Humans' had the potential to revolutionize computer video games, akin to the impact of the game 'Doom.'
Simultaneously thrilled and curious, Will Gates and his friends harbored a desire to meet Shinro Suzuki, as Orio Masayoshi had asserted that Suzuki was the visionary behind these innovative ideas.
Anticipating the release of the new KiShin PC video game, they foresaw another pleasant surprise for the burgeoning community of PC gamers.
Although the PC gaming community was smaller than its console counterpart, industry experts believed in the greater potential of computer gamers. Unlike consoles, PCs could seamlessly handle 2.5D, offering a technological advantage. Even with KiShin's latest video game console, the KS1, struggles persisted in smoothly handling 2.5D, remaining confined to a 2D environment with rendered backgrounds and objects.
