This analysis is to show the homage that Mortal Kombat pays to the greatest martial arts movie made, and is the basis for most other movies that followed. Mortal Kombat did more than just borrow bits and pieces, it practically paralleled Enter the Dragon scene for scene.

The plot for Enter the Dragon is as follows: Bruce Lee joins forces with John Saxon and Jim Kelly to infiltrate the island fortress of Han. Han holds a martial arts tournament there. Each man is going for his own reason. Bruce is going for two reasons, the man who killed his sister is one of Han's men, and he must get evidence to convict Han of his illegal activities. John Saxon is going for the money. Jim Kelly is going to because he needs to lay low for a while.

The plot for Mortal Kombat is fairly similar. Three characters, Liu Kang (Robin Shou), Johnny Cage (Linden Ashby), and Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson) must go to Shang Tsung's (Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa) island for a martial arts competition. Liu goes because his brother was killed by Shang. Johnny is going for the fame. And Sonya is going because one of Shang's men, Kano (Trevor Goddard) is a criminal (who killed her partner) and she must arrest him.

Enter the Dragon opens with Bruce talking with members of the Shaolin Temple. Then it moves to John Saxon's story of being a gambler, and finally, to Jim Kelly's run in with the law. Mortal Kombat starts with Liu Kang talking with the monks of the Temple of Light about his being the "Chosen One." Then moves to Johnny Cage and his problems with not being recognized as a real martial artist. Finally, the story goes to Sonya Blade on the heels of Kano.

Bruce Lee is not only the one who can beat Han, but he's also motivated by the death of his sister at the hands of one of Han's men. Liu Kang is destined to win Mortal Kombat, but is also motivated by the death of his brother at the hands of Shang Tsung.

In Enter the Dragon, the three board a boat which will take them to Han's island. That is also where they first meet each other. On board, Bruce has a scuffle with another fighter. In Mortal Kombat, the three must also board a boat which will take them Shang Tsung's island. They meet for the first time there. The three have a scuffle with two other warriors, Sub-Zero and Scorpion.

Upon reaching Han's island, they are greeted with an epic vision of hundreds of martial artists doing their routines and a large fortress. They also see a beautiful hostess whom John Saxon falls for. And also there to greet them is Han's right hand man, Bolo. Upon reaching Shang Tsung's island, the three are greeted with an epic vision of hundreds of statues of warriors as well as a large fortress. They see Kitana, a beautiful hostess, whom Liu falls for. And Reptile, Shang's right hand appears for the first time.

The warriors are treated to a feast in Han's banquet hall. Han comes and makes a speech. A few warriors also show off their skill. In Mortal Kombat, they are also treated to a feast, and Shang Tsung makes his speech. Sub-zero also puts on a display of his abilities.

In both movies, the island then becomes a battle ground. Each of the three fighters in both movies face off against baddies thrown at them by their respected enemy.

Bruce Lee gets a few helpful pointers from one of the women imprisoned on Han's island. Liu Kang gets a few helpful pointers from Kitana, the princess being held captive by Shang Tsung.

Han's right hand, Bolo, displays his strength by killing several fighters. Shang Tsung's right hand, Goro, displays his strength by repeatedly defeating a number of fighters. John Saxon squares off against Bolo and defeats him. Johnny Cage squares off against Goro and defeats him.

Bruce Lee snoops around and finds himself having to fight off dozens of foes which he makes short work of. Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade snoop around and find themselves fighting a number of foes which they make short work of. A much larger group comes almost immediately, but are stopped by Rayden.

Han tries to turn John Saxson to his side. Shang Tsung tries to get Sonya Blade to join him.

In the end, it comes down to a one on one match between the main good guy, Bruce/Liu and the bad guy Han/Shang. They fight one normal match. Then they must fight what seems like a legion of foes. Bruce fights against mirror images, Liu against vanquished warriors. Then they must face themselves...Bruce recalls the philosophy of his master, while Liu learns to face his destiny. And finally, they must face their enemy, Bruce destroying the mirror images to find the real Han, while Liu sees past the illusion of Shang posing as his brother. The final victory comes as Bruce kicks Han into a spear on the wall/Liu punches Shang over the edge and into a pit of spikes.

Pure homage? Total rip off? Coincidental plaguerism? Hmm....

-JoE-
©1999/2000 JMR