Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2023

22%

WISE Score

Johnny Cage gets the 1980s origin-story treatment, complete with all the blood, guts, and fatalities the Mortal Kombat franchise is infamous for.

Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match

movie

R, 2023

22%

WISE Score

Johnny Cage gets the 1980s origin-story treatment, complete with all the blood, guts, and fatalities the Mortal Kombat franchise is infamous for.

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: this is a niche animated film for hardcore Mortal Kombat fans who want to see Johnny Cage rip spines out in a 1980s Hollywood setting. The franchise has always been about pushing boundaries with graphic violence, and this entry doesn't change that formula.

The 5.9 IMDb rating and 3/5 Letterboxd score tell you what you need to know—even fans found this one mediocre. It's not clever enough to transcend its genre, not entertaining enough to justify the gore, and definitely not something you want younger viewers stumbling upon.

If you've got a 17-year-old who's obsessed with the franchise and understands it's pure fantasy, fine. But this isn't a hidden gem or a must-watch. It's a forgettable entry in a long-running series that prioritizes shock value over substance. Skip it unless you're a completist.

Age Fit

This is strictly for mature audiences 16+ who understand the difference between fantasy violence and reality, and who specifically enjoy the Mortal Kombat franchise's extreme gore aesthetic. Even then, the middling reviews suggest it's only for completists.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is Mortal Kombat—a franchise built on extreme violence and gore. The 1980s Hollywood setting with Johnny Cage doesn't change the core DNA: brutal fatalities, blood-soaked combat, and a 'bloody journey' as described in the synopsis. Models aggression and violence as primary problem-solving tools. Not emotionally healthy content for developing minds.

Imaginative

The 1980s Hollywood action-star angle is a moderately creative framing for a Mortal Kombat origin story. Mixing noir detective elements ('shadows, danger, and deceit') with the franchise's supernatural combat could be interesting. However, it's still a fairly paint-by-numbers animated action film in an established franchise—not particularly original or thought-provoking. Doesn't invite creative expression, just passive viewing of choreographed fights.

Safe

Mortal Kombat is infamous for graphic violence, gore, and fatalities. Common Sense Media rates it 16+, and the franchise history suggests intense blood, dismemberment, and brutal kills. The synopsis explicitly mentions a 'bloody journey.' This is definitively NOT safe for younger viewers—it's designed to shock with its violence. No surprise here if you know the franchise, but absolutely unsafe for kids stumbling upon it.

Enriching

Limited enrichment value. It's a straightforward action film with minimal character depth or meaningful themes. The 1980s Hollywood setting might offer mild nostalgia or period flavor, but there's no evidence of cognitive growth, ethical complexity, or skill-building. The 5.9 IMDb and 3/5 Letterboxd ratings suggest even entertainment value is middling—this is a niche offering for hardcore franchise fans, not a broadly engaging or insightful film.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

If you're a Mortal Kombat completist, this fills in Johnny Cage's backstory with 1980s Hollywood flair
The noir detective angle mixed with supernatural combat could be a fun genre mashup for mature viewers
Animated format allows for over-the-top action sequences without live-action budget constraints
Nostalgia factor for parents who grew up with the franchise (though that doesn't make it kid-appropriate)

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What to Watch For

Graphic violence, gore, and brutal fatalities—this is core Mortal Kombat DNA
16+ rating is not a suggestion; this is genuinely not appropriate for younger teens or kids
Mediocre reviews (5.9 IMDb, 3/5 Letterboxd) suggest even franchise fans found it underwhelming
Zero educational or developmental value—pure violent spectacle

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think some people are drawn to extreme violence in entertainment? What does that say about us?"
"How do you think media violence affects the way we think about conflict in real life?"
"What's the difference between stylized action violence (like Marvel) and the graphic gore in something like this?"

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