Influence Films is back in action with its new fan film based on one of the world’s top video game franchises. Mortal Kombat: The Tobias Diamond finds the familiar characters Sonya Blade and Scorpion duking it out, trading quips with the kung-fu kicks.
Influence Films gained notice a few months ago with its first effort, The Flash: Crossover a fan film based around DC Comics’ venerable character. While FCT gave it a generally negative review, it was noted that the IF crew showed promise, and this flick makes good on that prediction. While it doesn’t look like a Hunt for Gollum-level fan production, it’s not supposed to be.
Instead, this flick harkens back to the late-1990s style of fan flick—no money, just people having fun making a movie. The attitude back then was almost an amateur filmmaking answer to the 1970s’ DIY Punk Rock aesthetic; instead of “here’s three chords, now go start a band,” it was “shoot it, show it, shove off to something else.” MK:TTD took me back to those heady days of fan films first hitting the internet, because what it lacks in production value, it makes up for with passion.
SEE MORTAL KOMBAT: THE TOBIAS DIAMOND AND MORE AFTER THE JUMP!
The plot is simple enough:
When Scorpion harms Sonya Blade’s partner so he can steal the Tobias Diamond, Sonya is instructed to go to Outworld and get the diamond back from Scorpion. However, she isn’t only after the diamond; she is also after revenge for her partner. It isn’t until Sonya catches up to Scorpion in Outworld that she realizes, she isn’t the only person out for revenge–so is Scorpion!
David Noble, editor of the late, great Fan Film Quarterly fanzine was involved as a producer, co-writer and dual-role playing actor, no less. Sharon Wright is well-cast as Sonya Blade; while the fighting is clearly choreographed, there’s no question that she could whup some butt if she wanted to. Tim Rowe acquits himself well as Dr. Boon, and director Jason Damian gives his film a tighter focus this time around. While the IF guys still love long, expository scenes a little too much (next time, go the Aaron Sorkin route and at least make ‘em walk and talk), the flick is still a big step forward for an emerging band of filmmakers. Can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
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