Raiden Rides the Crazy Train in New Mortal Kombat Episode

[Logan Westbrook]

Raiden Rides the Crazy Train in New Mortal Kombat Episode

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If someone tried to tell you he was a thunder god and that the world was doomed, would you believe him?

After what could generously be called a couple of "low weeks" following the action-light and exposition-heavy pair of episodes featuring Mileena and Kitana, Mortal Kombat: Legacy has upped its game with what could very well be the best episode so far.

This week's episode focuses on the thunder god Raiden, played by Ryan Robbins, who also appeared in Battlestar Galactica and Caprica. Where previous episodes have stuck quite closely to the videogame continuity, this installment really breaks away from it, and does something new. In fact, the episode actually opens with a disclaimer from director Kevin Tancharoen, saying that this won't be the Raiden that viewers are necessarily familiar with.

There's actually very little fighting in the episode, but Tancharoen and the actors maintain a great atmosphere, so you don't really notice. The story hinges on Raiden not being able to convince his captors that he's telling the truth about who he is, and why he has to leave. It's not the most original idea - the first two Terminator movies got to it a long time before Tancharoen did - but it works very well. It's also the episode most like Tancharoen's stunning short, Mortal Kombat: Rebirth [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/106978-Warner-Commands-Mortal-Kombat-Rebirth-Director-to-Finish-It ], which is what got people excited about a live action Mortal Kombat project in the first place.

Along with Rebirth, this episode shows that there's a lot that can be done with the Mortal Kombat canon other than slavish recreation. If future episodes continue in this vein, this show could make for some pretty compelling viewing.

Source: Machinima [http://www.machinima.com]



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[Realitycrash]

Of course, when I really want to watch somethig, my Java breaks down -.-

Edit: Oh, that was fucking AWESOME. I guess he just couldn't zap out of there when he first took human form, because all his power was drained, or something?
Still, when he retook human form a second time, he didn't seem drained, so why would he the first time?
Perhaps he had just been in a major fight before he "landed" in the Asylum.

 

[Owlslayer]

I liked it. Was a bit gritty, but lovely still.
The "power-up" part with the taser-gun-thingy was pretty cool, too.
I don't mind changing stuff like this, since i haven't really been a Mortal Kombat fan myself. I don't know any lore at all. But I'm beginning to like this show more and more.

 

[Sixties Spidey]

"A gritty interpretation." Why is it that I'm so sick and tired of hearing those words? Still, this episode was actually better than the last two. I just hope that Sub-Zero or Scorpion won't be changed to such a degree.

 

[MikeyW]

Wow. I really enjoyed that. If they can keep the rest of the series on this track then I can actually get excited again. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the other episodes, they just weren't amazing. Although setting up the other characters as they did kind of binds them there.

How will this work when Mileena fights Raiden (for instance) are they going to film in two styles?

Roger Rabbit style? (God I hope not)

 

[Reaper69lol]

Ooh I like it. Best one so far

 

[MattAn24]

This week's episode focuses on the thunder god Raiden, played by Ryan Robbins, who also appeared in Battlestar Galactica and Caprica.

And Sanctuary. Which is FUCKING AWESOME. Mainly because of Amanda Tapping, but that only exceeds the awesome status.

 

[Soxafloppin]

Best episode so far in my opinion, Raidens sort of doing an "Ultimate Thor", I like the actor dispite him looking little like Raiden, I approve. The hat part was a little cheesy but it is MK.

 

[ComicsAreWeird]

Good stuff this week.The Kitana and Mileen ones were the low point of the series so far in my opinion.

Loved the ending with the classic hat!

 

[ComicsAreWeird]

Best episode so far in my opinion, Raidens sort of doing an "Ultimate Thor", I like the actor dispite him looking little like Raiden, I approve. The hat part was a little cheesy but it is MK.

Totally agree with the Ultimate Thor remark.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

Best episode so far in my opinion, Raidens sort of doing an "Ultimate Thor", I like the actor dispite him looking little like Raiden, I approve. The hat part was a little cheesy but it is MK.

Totally agree with the Ultimate Thor remark.

Me too, but I wasn't sure who would get the reference, so I went with Terminator instead.

 

[neoontime]

Liked it. Glad the edged off from the boring Mileena and Kitana storyline.

 

[Hiphophippo]

Far and away the best episode yet. And you know what? I don't mind a gritty reboot of stuff provided what they're rebooting was already cheesy to begin with. Mortal Kombat has always been pretty silly so to add that layer of cheese that a gritty reboot brings doesn't really bother me.

And it kinda suits Mortal Kombat, to be honest.

 

[Distorted Stu]

That was actually pretty sweet. First episode i watched!

 

[SnowyGamester]

The hat bit was...awesome. Only episode I've liked so far (though missed 4 & 5).

 

[BabySinclair]

Much better, good character bit, good action, and a bit of mysticism without the anime parts.

now if they could have Barraka back to how he was and don't change scorpion they may salvage it from the last two episodes.

 

[twm1709]

Wow! strong stuff!! the lobotomy parts shocked me more than any fatality ever could.
They really seem to be taking Page from Millar's Ultimates

 

[mindlesspuppet]

Much better than the past two episodes.

Much better, good character bit, good action, and a bit of mysticism without the anime parts.

now if they could have Barraka back to how he was and don't change scorpion they may salvage it from the last two episodes.

^ this pretty much sums up my thoughts.