Mortal Kombat: Conquest ran for one season, 22 episodes, from October 3, 1998 to May 22, 1999. It aired in syndication and on TNT, and it was one of the first live-action shows based on a video game to appear on United States television. The series follows Kung Lao after he wins the Mortal Kombat tournament, defeats Shang Tsung, and saves Earth Realm. Now he must train a new generation of warriors for the next tournament while an exiled Shang Tsung tries to stop him with the help of supernatural warriors like Scorpion and Sub-Zero.
The show is a prequel to the games, and it centers on the original Kung Lao, played by Paolo Montalbán, along with his bodyguard Siro, played by Daniel Bernhardt, and his former thief Taja, played by Kristanna Loken. Jeffrey Meek plays Raiden and Shao Kahn, and Bruce Locke plays Shang Tsung. The series shares similarities with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the live-action segments of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, though it is based on the fighting video game series Mortal Kombat.
The Premise
Kung Lao has won the tournament and saved Earth Realm from Shang Tsung. The show opens with him returning home to find that the victory has not secured peace. Shang Tsung, now exiled, has assembled a team of supernatural warriors to undermine Lao’s efforts to train a new generation of fighters for the next tournament.
The setup is simple: Lao must protect Earth Realm from invasion while teaching his students to fight. The villains, led by Shang Tsung, want to break through the defenses he has built. The series leans heavily on the established lore of the Mortal Kombat universe, drawing on characters and events familiar to fans of the games.
The Cast
Paolo Montalbán plays Kung Lao with a calm authority. He carries the weight of protecting Earth Realm, and his performance grounds the show’s more fantastical elements in a human center. Daniel Bernhardt plays Siro, Lao’s loyal bodyguard, who provides comic relief and steady support. Kristanna Loken plays Taja, a former thief who becomes Lao’s partner in arms.
Jeffrey Meek splits the role of Raiden and Shao Kahn, playing both characters across the season. This is a bold choice, and it works because the two roles are distinct enough to keep the performances separate. Bruce Locke plays Shang Tsung, the exiled villain who drives the series’ conflict. His performance is suitably theatrical, fitting the show’s over-the-top tone.
Kyle Wyatt voices the Mob Leader, a recurring antagonist whose schemes drive several episodes. The casting is strong, and the chemistry between the leads holds the show together.
The Fighting
The action sequences are the show’s strongest asset. The fights are choreographed with energy and style, and they borrow moves from the games while adapting them to live-action format. The series also features a wide range of supernatural creatures, including ninjas, sorcerers, and monsters, which adds variety to the battles.
The special effects are modest by today’s standards, but they are effective within the budget. The show uses practical stunts and matte paintings to create its fantasy world, and the result is a show that feels grounded even when it gets absurd. The pacing is fast, and the action rarely drags.
The Story
The season is episodic, with each episode focusing on a specific threat or mission. The overarching plot about Shang Tsung’s revenge unfolds slowly across the run, giving the series room to explore its characters and settings. The writing draws on the games’ mythology, including the tournament itself and the forces that govern the realms.
The show does not lean on a single theme throughout. Instead, it mixes action with character moments, shifting tones from one episode to the next.
The Weak Points
The series is not without flaws. Some of the plotlines feel rushed, and the pacing can drag during slower episodes. The show also relies heavily on stock footage and reused scenes, which can be noticeable to viewers who have seen the source material.
The budget is limited, and this shows in the production design. The sets are functional rather than spectacular, and the costumes are serviceable. The show does not attempt to recreate the look of the games in great detail, instead opting for a more traditional TV aesthetic. This is a deliberate choice, and it works for the most part, but it means the show never reaches the heights of the games’ visuals.
Ranking the Episodes
Not every episode lands with equal force. Here is how the season’s episodes stack up, from strongest to weakest:
- The premiere episode sets up the premise and introduces the main characters, earning its place as the strongest entry.
- The middle episodes that focus on Shang Tsung’s schemes are some of the best, combining action with character development.
- The episodes about Lao training his students are solid but less memorable, falling into the middle of the pack.
- The episodes that focus on secondary threats or villains are hit-or-miss, with some working and others feeling like filler.
- A few episodes in the back half of the season slow down the pacing, relying too heavily on exposition and setup.
The Final Word
Mortal Kombat: Conquest is a mixed bag. It succeeds when it focuses on action and character, and it falters when it stretches its premise too thin. The show is a product of its era, a live-action adaptation of a video game series that had not yet reached the heights of modern blockbusters. Its strengths lie in its cast, its action, and its willingness to embrace the absurdity of its source material.
The series is a worthwhile watch for fans of the games, offering a different perspective on the Mortal Kombat universe. It is not a perfect show, but it is a fun one. The budget limitations and pacing issues hold it back from greatness, but the core concept and execution are strong enough to recommend it.
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