Mortal Kombat 10 Ways SubZero & Scorpion Were Only Used To Lure Everyone In

Mortal Kombat: 10 Ways Sub-Zero & Scorpion Were Only Used To Lure Everyone In

The teasers for the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie really hyped up the Scorpion and Sub-Zero rivalry, but it barely figured into the actual film.

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They may not exactly be the protagonists of Mortal Kombat, but Sub-Zero and Scorpion are the long-running fighting games’ most beloved characters, with the latter being noted as the favorite character of series co-creator Ed Boon. The two bitter rivals have since become the franchise’s faces, and they’re not leaving the spotlight any time soon.

Such was the case that they were featured prominently in the new Mortal Kombat movie’s advertisements, despite them having less than 30 minutes of combined screen time. Unfortunately for their fans, Sub-Zero and Scorpion were little more than a marketing ploy to bring in viewers.

10 The Movie Isn’t About Sub-Zero Or Scorpion

The most obvious disconnect between literally every poster and the actual movie is that neither Sub-Zero or Scorpion are Mortal Kombat’s focus. At most, the two just guest star in Cole Young’s journey of rediscovering his heritage and Earthrealm’s last stand against Outworld. Compared to other fighters like Kano or Sonya, the two have very minimal screen time or relevance.

Contrast this to either the games or the animated Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge. In both cases, Scorpion and Sub-Zero’s mutual hatred serves as the narratives’ backbone. If not for his prophesized bloodline, the 2021 movie’s Scorpion would’ve been just as disposable and inconsequential as his nemesis.

9 Sub-Zero & Scorpion’s Rivalry Is Just A Plot Device

Sub-Zero and Scorpion didn’t start out as the games’ lead fighters but over time, their rivalry took center stage. As Outworld and Earthrealm’s war became more complex, so did the two ninjas’ bitter hatred of each other. By Mortal Kombat 11, Sub-Zero and Scorpion are integral to stopping Kronika from resetting reality.

In the movie, their rivalry is a loophole that Lord Raiden takes advantage of. The movie does kick off with Hanzo Hasashi swearing vengeance for the Shirai Ryu, but the real focus is on Raiden’s team. That said, this is still an improvement over their 1995 movie appearance, where their rivalry was settled via Shang Tsung’s brainwashing off-screen.

8 Sub-Zero & Scorpion Only Have One Fight

Despite the hype surrounding their cinematic return, Sub-Zero and Scorpion only have one major fight. Their clash was Mortal Kombat’s grand finale, though it left a lot to be desired. Said fight had close to no build-up, and it happened seemingly at random when Cole somehow summoned Scorpion by using his old kunai.

Their first fight doesn’t really count, either, since neither had their iconic identities yet. Sub-Zero was still Bi-Han of the Lin Kuei, while Hazno became Scorpion in death. The fights themselves are well-choreographed and performed, but they lacked the necessary weight to make the rivalry as intense as it should’ve been.

7 Sub-Zero Is A Glorified Henchman

Despite his prominence in the ads, Sub-Zero is just a minion. The real reason he wiped out the Lin Kuei’s rival Shirai Ryu was because he was following Shang Tsung’s orders, not to settle an ancient blood feud. The only thing that sets Sub-Zero apart from fellow Outworld enforcers like Kabal or Mileena is that him fulfilling his job was shown extensively.

In the games, both Sub-Zeroes (Bi-Han and his brother Kuai Liang) have personal goals and reasons for fighting separate from Quan Chi or Kronika’s machinations. Sub-Zero’s latest incarnation lacks this depth but the very least, it’s better than his 1995 appearance where he was a mindless drone at Shang Tsung’s beck and call.

6 Scorpion Only Has One Appearance

Technically, Hanzo has two major appearances. These are the Shirai Ryu clan’s demise in the prologue and the final fight with Sub-Zero. Specifically, Scorpion only shows up in the end. In the beginning, he’s still the very human ninja Hanzo who only becomes vengeance incarnate when he returns to kill Sub-Zero.

Outside of Cole’s random hallucinations, these are the only times Scorpion appears. Compared to how Scorpion’s Revenge balanced Scorpion’s pursuit of vengeance and Earthrealm’s champions, the 2021 movie disappoints. Given his importance to the lore, Scorpion deserved more than what amounted to an extended cameo.

5 Sub-Zero Isn’t Too Invested In The Rivalry

Sub-Zero and Scorpion’s rivalry is a lot more complex than it seems. Scorpion returned from the afterlife to avenge himself, while Sub-Zero was manipulated by Quan Chi into killing Scorpion’s clan. The two clashed violently more than once, but eventually made amends when the truth came to light in Mortal Kombat 11.

In the movie, Scorpion is a footnote in Sub-Zero’s mind. Sub-Zero’s priority was assassinating the Hasashi descendant, not stopping Hanzo who he understandably forgot because he killed him centuries ago. Sub-Zero only remembered Hanzo when Cole failed to stab him with his kunai, and even then he was more amused than anything else.

4 Sub-Zero Has Almost No Character To Speak Of

A carryover from Sub-Zero being a henchman is that he has no personality. Unlike the games where he’s a layered antagonist, this Sub-Zero was just Shang Tsung’s effective ice-themed lieutenant. Beyond showing off his cool abilities, Sub-Zero does and says nothing interesting in the movie.

In the movie’s defense, this is somewhat games-accurate since Bi-Han only grew a personality when he came back as Noob Saibot. Any characterization Sub-Zero is known for comes from Kuai Liang, who assumed his big brother’s icy mantle to avenge his death. That said, the filmmakers could’ve given Sub-Zero some newfound depth, but chose not to.

3 Scorpion’s Revenge Barely Factors Into The Movie’s Plot

It could be argued that Scorpion’s revenge is one of Mortal Kombat’s most important emotional cores. Scorpion restoring his honor takes games to accomplish, and it even serves as Mortal Kombat 11’s big finish. There’s a reason why his rivalry is usually adapted in non-game spin-offs, and why it resonates so much with the Kombat faithful.

Meanwhile, in the 2021 movie, Scorpion’s revenge is practically a side-mission that Cole helps achieve by happenstance. Scorpion doesn’t even do anything to get his vengeance, instead waiting for anyone to wake him from his slumber. Contrast this with the games where he slaughtered his way out of Hell just to get his hands on Sub-Zero.

2 Sub-Zero’s Death Achieved Nothing

Given how big a deal he was made out to be, Sub-Zero defeat should’ve had some gravity. Instead, he’s quickly overpowered by Cole and Scorpion before the latter burns him with his fire breath. Worse, Shang Tsung confirms that he can resurrect Sub-Zero for the sequel, undoing the revenge that Scorpion waited eons to achieve.

In the games, Sub-Zero’s death started a chain reaction felt across installments. Scorpion killing Bi-Han inspires Kuai Liang to become the next Sub-Zero, Bi-Han resurrects as the evil Noob Saibot, and Scorpion realizes how hollow revenge is. These may factor in the next movie but as it stands, Sub-Zero’s defeat is a hollow imitation of what happened in-game.

1 Scorpion Is Just A Plot Twist For Cole Young

Even though he started out as a generic yellow ninja with a rad signature weapon, Scorpion gradually became one of the most beloved video game icons of all time. In the years since the original Mortal Kombat, Scorpion evolved into one of the gaming world’s best looks at what the revenge’s cost and futility.

The movie reflects none of this legacy, since Scorpion only exists to make the movie-exclusive Cole look cooler than he actually is. As the survivor of Hanzo’s supposedly extinct bloodline, Cole is prophesized to end Outworld’s winning streak. Beyond this ancestry, Cole has nothing much going for him while Scorpion is just a generations-divorced great grandfather.

Link Source : https://www.cbr.com/mortal-kombat-sub-zero-scorpion-misleading/

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