LAST TIME THEY WERE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES. THIS TIME THEY’RE FIGHTING FOR OURS.

This sequel continues where the 1995 original left off; those who won that movie’s martial arts tournament now have one week to stop the Outworld emperor from destroying Earth.

Christopher Lambert is replaced by James Remar who tries to turn the part of Lord Rayden into his own by changing his looks halfway through, but that’s no help. The feeling that this is no better than a shoddy, bottom-of-the-barrel video game is reinforced by the poor visual effects.

Awful costumes and bad acting are additional minuses.

1997-U.S. 95 min. Color. Directed by John Leonetti. Cast: Robin Shou (Liu Kang), Talisa Soto (Kitana), James Remar (Lord Rayden), Brian Thompson, Lynn ”Red” Williams, Irina Pantaeva.