Mortal Kombat (2021):

I'm not sure I would have introduced a new character in Cole Young to the franchise when the series is brimming over with lore-based characters to choose from.  However, tying him in to the lore of Scorpion and letting Scorpion come back due to him makes it work.

The Scorpion vs. Sub-Zero rivalry crossing the ages was the centerpiece of the movie and the coolest aspect.  The others felt like nice good looking guys but not that important.  The graphics were infinitely better than the original movies, which really shines whenever Sub-Zero is tossing ice around.  However, I still prefer the original Mortal Kombat movie.  It had a lot of heart, Liu Kang finding his path in life and avenging his brother to save the world.  But it's hard to beat the original Mortal Kombat movie.  And the original Mortal Kombat theme song.  You can't beat that.

It's not necessary to beat the original Mortal Kombat to make my great movies hall of fame though.  For the first time in years I can finally introduce a new movie to my hall of fame, and all I have to replace is Goldeneye.  I've been hoping to nix that movie for a long time and finally, finally something decent showed up.

Humor, action, special effects and an adventure to save the world.  What more could you ask for?  I know my HBO Max subscription was worth it just for this.  I hope they make four more movies like they plan if the movie succeeds financially.  There are hundreds of more lore-based characters they could feed in to the series.  The sky's the limits.  I'd watch this stuff all day.