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Spike81
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04/12/2011 10:17 AM (UTC)
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I really enjoyed that.. this realistic feel is way better then the movies IMO. I would love for one day the game to get a realistic revamp like that. That would be great.
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fijikungfu
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-Courtesy of TheCypher-

04/12/2011 10:34 AM (UTC)
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Athenis Wrote:
Yes, that was Stryker.

Kano even says his name at the one part, that Jax and Stryker will be walking in to his trap.

Ah, I got it lol... And so far this is a hit on a Monday Night, good night MKO...
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Neomic
04/12/2011 10:41 AM (UTC)
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That was awesome! Sure, it has a small budget, but they're making the most out of it and I love every second of it. I do agree the slow-mo Sonya at the end was a little long, but that's really the only (small) gripe. Seeing Cyrax's helmet in the bin at the beginning was awesome too. This episode definitely left me wanting more!

I love the realistic tone this series has, it's very grounded. Scorpion's mask being based off a Japanese Menpo mask (from the trailer clips) is an awesome touch too. Kinda sucks Baraka won't have his teeth, but I can see why since he's trying to keep it realistic.

I hope after all the episodes play, WB releases the series on Blu-Ray (with a making of feature and maybe some deleted scenes). I think it would be awesome if someone took all the footage and pieced it together to make a fan-film too at some point, so we can enjoy it as a movie.
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kdogg87
04/12/2011 11:07 AM (UTC)
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It was decent, but IMO, Ms Ryan is a bit too old for this role.
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RazorsEdge701
04/12/2011 11:24 AM (UTC)
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She's not actually that old, her face has just gotten haggard lookin' surprisingly quickly since her Trek days, which weren't that long ago.
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ThePredator151
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04/12/2011 11:25 AM (UTC)
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I very much enjoyed the first episode!

I think the biggest part about it that I like is that they're trying to stick very close to the canon material (if not sticking right to it), and allowing the practicality of things to breathe the much needed breath of fresh air into the story. We've been needing....asking...begging for, for so long.

1.) Stryker has a personality - He's stern, wanting to follow the law to the letter, but "loose" enough to where it seems he doesn't want to completely let go of the field work. Almost as if he just got that position recently. It's a very interesting way to play Stryker because I've always kinda pictured him being that way just, not with a suit on.

Which brings up something else: Strykers the "boss?" I had it pegged the other way around. To where Stryker would be younger, the obvious "very talented pupil" in a bunch, and as such, more willing to get in there and do the dirty work. To me, since his introduction into the games, he seemed like the character that would be more susceptible to bewilderment. "The undeniable more serious version of Johnny Cage because his training and involvement with law enforcement." Alot like Bruce Willis in Die Hard.

That doesn't say this Stryker is bad, because he's very good. But, that's what I had in my mind before watching this.

2.) Kano is perfect - He's a fucking jerk without being out-right disgusting like the beloved Trevor Goddard was.

This is what I wanted to see. This is what that character needed. He's a mini-boss, he's supposed to be this way.

3.) Sonya was better than I thought she would be, and I thought she would be good. I do wish they were able to show us how she got caught up though. That was an obvious whole in the screen-play for me.

4.) Michael Jai White - Head strong, intelligent, resilient, excellent fighter, Gotcha Grab, done.

--

Obvious problems where budget related. Weapons, FX, etc... no big deal. The story was together, things transitioned well, script and screenplay wasn't horrid. It was a competent homage to the games materials from a practical viewpoint. If only we could get 15-20 min eps instead....

5 thumbs up! Go for the movie Tancheroen!

Can't wait for next week.
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Bryden88
04/12/2011 11:57 AM (UTC)
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Considering the other things we have to compare to are the two movies, one of which is just an abomination, and a short lived TV show?

Absolutely this kicks ass!
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Mick-Lucifer
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04/12/2011 12:18 PM (UTC)
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Great, so I'm gonna be that guy? tongue

I was personally quite disappointed. I think it was a really weak way to pitch a series considering the later episodes look a lot stronger.

The time did not strike me as very well used.
Some fun little nods to the games and movies ("right on time" and "baby" in quick succession from Kano, heh), but... Character and plot was largely absent, almost completely replaced by running around and shooting guns. Some of that special effects budget probably could've gone into more dynamic lighting and camera work. A whole lot of sound and fury signifying nothing. Action is great, but the property wasn't especially well represented, and neither were these versions of characters. (Could've done completely without any reference to "Deacon City" "DCPD" and nonsensical heavily armed city cops...). If there was a writer credit for the episode, it was a light day of work for this portion of the script! The Sonya ending rang completely false as a dramatic character scene that wasn't even remotely earned.

I like Shahlavi a lot, but I don't know how wholly the role relates to Kano. Stryker is certainly there in (un)name, but had no reason to be. He's the quintessential movie JOHNSON. Jax and Sonya got to appear effective, but not really be characters.

I think anyone who finds themselves unable to watch will be able to skip straight to episode two and have no problems. A pretty mediocre start to a project that seems to promise a bit more later on. I'd be looking at a 2/5, for the episode. I'm not starved enough to give a higher score as a fan, or as an objective reviewer.

I think this episode suggests some of the constraints of a web project, but with any luck the later episodes will offer more. The trailer certainly seems to offer up some more interesting visuals and more of the ideas & visuals of the games. Just a shame it couldn't have made a stronger start. Fortunately for them, doesn't seem the audience is too phased.
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Goro Still Lives
04/12/2011 12:27 PM (UTC)
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As I reveal the plot through my critique I have included it into a spoiler tag. Nevertheless my analysis actually agrees with the Lucifer guy above.

Spoilers: (Highlight to reveal)

Cheap amateur Adobe After Effects aside, the first episode sets up the origins to the Kano/Sonya feud, something only the MK1 comic did during
the first generation (Mk1-MK4) of games. We begin in a warehouse controlled by The Black Dragon whose business is concerning cybornetics. Kano is the central focus of the episode where Sonya is following him. Following the recurring theme of MK where Sonya always finds herself captured, she is captured and tied to hanging chains. Against Stryker?'s orders, Jax and team go to rescue Sonya. They're caught in cross-fire, leaving Jax alive. Kano and Jax get in a little fight that eventually causes a small explosive device to activate as they run away. The impact releases Sonya from the chains tied to the ceiling and "To Be Continued" appears on the screen. The episode has a 12-minute run time but about 2 of those are devoted to bumpers.

The video attempts a video game feel over an actual film feel, which is confirmed by the NRS bumper and WB Games bumper at the ends. As we already know, the series was to setup the games but essentially know almost has become part of the games. Consider MK: Legacy, as I have said before, this generation's The Journey Begins. Only this time the story looks to be more elaborate and avoids repeating footage. The soundtrack is simple and sounds like something you'd buy from a royalty-free music kit. Yet I find myself intrigued into the epsiode, as it also feels like we're getting scenes that can eventually be cut together to make a prequel or even a movie itself. The tone from Rebirth is back but the uniqueness and even quirkiness that made the games so popular is also back, making the deadliest of all kombinations. But the series does not quite match the tone of the new game, as this series has a darker feel than the game regarding its use of dark lights and ominous blacks versus over-the-top fatalities. It definitely focuses on making Mortal Kombat seem real, almost true to life, and establishing the first episode as a crime action not only brings back memories of the 90s fight movies that usually revolved around crime syndication and druglords (another theme that influenced the Kano/Sonya story at the time, as T2 served only an inspiration for Kano's look) shows the theme is still popular in today's world. A 2/5, by the trailer the series looks to be promising, and if it continues to develop a stronger story and elaborate on an existing one, this series has potential and if Season 2 goes even further than before the first tournament, will no doubt knock Conquest, DOTR, and even TJB into the trashbins where they most belong.
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samuhai
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04/12/2011 12:35 PM (UTC)
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Well I enjoyed that immensely smile

There's the obvious limitations of a web series, as so many have said, but overlooking that is easy for me.

I'm still a bit icky that Jax and co seem more coppish than "special forces"ish but it's an acceptable simplification.

Wish we had seen more of Sonya but I get the feeling her bad-assness will b e in #Ep 2.


What I'm really happy about is that the episodes are connected to each other. I assumed that there'd be, moreorless, nothing connecting the separate stories. Jax and Sonya would have their section, Lin Kuei would be elsewhere, etc. But from the looks of things they're actually going to be mixing the them all up effectively. LOVE that the Black Dragon are supplying the Lin Kuei with their cyber parts. Clears up a LOT of the "wtf is a chinese clan doing with cyber machinery".

I'm really quite pumped for the rest of the episodes smile

In saying that, I can see why people wouldn't like it. Bit cheesy at times, the effects, Sonya's over-long slow mo exit. But I'm still more than happy :D
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Kinetic
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04/12/2011 12:49 PM (UTC)
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Okay, I wasn't expecting to like this. And they certainly lived up to my expectations.

I found the writing sub-par. They strayed from canon where it was unnecessary. There was no subtlety in the writing. They had the characters explain too much, instead of show you. And they showed practically nothing that wasn't immediately verbally explained (are we toddlers!?).

I also found the acting terrible, which surprised me, because I thought it was decent in Rebirth. But no, I found not one good acting job in the entire twelve minutes. And, Kano's accent was beyond fake-sounding.

The only thing I did like was the direction. I found the camera angles and the creative direction really decent. Which is a major surprise, considering that's what I hated the most from Rebirth.

In conclusion: I hated it for the exact opposite reason I hated Rebirth. It could've been a lot better on many fronts. I'm hoping next week makes up for what this week lacked.
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Kinetic
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04/12/2011 12:51 PM (UTC)
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Mick-Lucifer Wrote:
Great, so I'm gonna be that guy? tongue

I was personally quite disappointed. I think it was a really weak way to pitch a series considering the later episodes look a lot stronger.

The time did not strike me as very well used.
Some fun little nods to the games and movies ("right on time" and "baby" in quick succession from Kano, heh), but... Character and plot was largely absent, almost completely replaced by running around and shooting guns. Some of that special effects budget probably could've gone into more dynamic lighting and camera work. A whole lot of sound and fury signifying nothing. Action is great, but the property wasn't especially well represented, and neither were these versions of characters. (Could've done completely without any reference to "Deacon City" "DCPD" and nonsensical heavily armed city cops...). If there was a writer credit for the episode, it was a light day of work for this portion of the script! The Sonya ending rang completely false as a dramatic character scene that wasn't even remotely earned.

I like Shahlavi a lot, but I don't know how wholly the role relates to Kano. Stryker is certainly there in (un)name, but had no reason to be. He's the quintessential movie JOHNSON. Jax and Sonya got to appear effective, but not really be characters.

I think anyone who finds themselves unable to watch will be able to skip straight to episode two and have no problems. A pretty mediocre start to a project that seems to promise a bit more later on. I'd be looking at a 2/5, for the episode. I'm not starved enough to give a higher score as a fan, or as an objective reviewer.

I think this episode suggests some of the constraints of a web project, but with any luck the later episodes will offer more. The trailer certainly seems to offer up some more interesting visuals and more of the ideas a visuals of the games. Just a shame it couldn't have made a stronger start. Fortunately for them, doesn't seem the audience is too phased.


I didn't read this until after I posted, but I wholly agree. I couldn't have said it better myself!
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pjstudios
04/12/2011 12:56 PM (UTC)
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That was very enjoyable. Can't wait until next week episode.
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Fenix
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04/12/2011 01:14 PM (UTC)
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Thumbs way the fuck up.
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Kitana_MK9
04/12/2011 01:20 PM (UTC)
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good episode, enjoyed it.
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Thellin
04/12/2011 01:23 PM (UTC)
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Loved it

I want more, more and more !!!

I really hope this serie becomes a tv show of 1h every week. Cause 12 mins is just not enough.
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wilkins36
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Here We Go Brownies!

04/12/2011 01:35 PM (UTC)
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very happy about this! That just made me pumped to play with Kano. I felt there was a good mix of set-up and fighting.

In future editions I'm sure there will be more hand to hand because the characters will be from a less technology based fields. When we get to the ninjas or the lady ninjas I doubt there will be firefights. It just made sense having that kind of a battle between special forces and organized crime.
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JAX007
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04/12/2011 01:51 PM (UTC)
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This was awesome, cannot wait to see the rest. The only thing I didn't like too much is that Stryker felt tacked on to this. I would have prefered if he had his own episode to flesh out some of his background.
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Shadaloo
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MK Khronology: 58.49% complete...
04/12/2011 02:06 PM (UTC)
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Pros:

-Mostly solid performances.

-Nice nods to various parts of canon, some excellent foreshadowing.

Cons:

-Cheesy overused slow motion

-A bit heavy on the exposition side

-Utterly unconvincing gun fights

I'd mention someone remaining standing after taking a heavy detonation device to the back of the head, but this is the same series where one of Baraka's blades through the skull constitutes a flesh wound. I'll assume it was intentional and let it slide. tongue

Glad the shooting's out of the way. An interesting start; if patchy. Still looking forward to more, especially the Scorpion/Sub-Zero portions.
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weznufc
04/12/2011 02:15 PM (UTC)
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That was very enjoyable. Can't wait until next week episode.

should be even more fun:)
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Hatetriot
04/12/2011 02:20 PM (UTC)
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Great start to the webseries and this project will definitely add a lot of fuel to the hype machine.

The effects were cheesy but that goes along with the budget (I'm a fan of Kamen Rider so I'm used to it). I am glad they took the extra steps to show the Black Dragon Clan was involved in high-tech secret weaponry instead of being a run-of-the-mill black market arms dealer.

Also I am glad the fight choreography was grounded in reality when it came to Jax and Kano. It looks really weird when they give flip kicks and cartwheels to people who look like they shouldn't be getting it. And by keeping the fighting styles simple it avoids the need for awkward switches to the stunt doubles.

Jax did a great job representing, Stryker could've used his signature hat, and Sonya was kind of just there... like in the game. Hard for me to judge the characters to in depth in a twelve minute clip.

Also from the trailer can I gather their won't be any Shaolin Monk action?
Is Robin Shou so ingrained as Liu Kang that they can't hire anyone else?!?
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Zentile
04/12/2011 02:33 PM (UTC)
0
Loved it. Loved every little reference, especially ''they're here. Right no time".

Michael Jai White is a far better Jax than we've ever had before, including every game version.

I love having Tahmoh Penikett on board, great actor.

From the trailer, Scorpion and Sub-Zero look freaking amazing. So do Cyrax and Sektor.

This is going to be a great ride. I just wish it was a full blown tv series with 40 minute episodes.
EDIT: Oh and I forgot to mention that the soundtrack was pretty ace as well. Battlestar Galactica-ish at times.
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ErmacYou
04/12/2011 02:48 PM (UTC)
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stryker coming off as jax boss was surprising but no big deal.
too much slow motion for me but overall 7.5/10 very good
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bbfreak328
04/12/2011 03:03 PM (UTC)
0
Better than I expected, I have to say. I still don't get Jeri Ryan as Sonya though...don't get me wrong, she's a great actress, she just looks too old for Sonya (though this is supposed to be a more realistic telling of the story I guess). Also, Kano doesn't seem or sound as much of a BA as he does in the game or the first movie....Jai White is great as Jax though. Cyrax and Sektor looked GREAT in the trailer released last night, so I'm excited to see them. I'm also excited to see just who all they incorporate into the series, and how well they incorporate them. I'm still way more excited for the game though...
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ScorpionEater12
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As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about.

04/12/2011 03:06 PM (UTC)
0
I liked it.
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