This page will contain unmarked spoilers for Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge and Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind is the sequel to Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms and the third film of the Mortal Kombat Legends series. The film was released on October 11, 2022.
Unlike the previous two films, this one features an original story never previously seen in the franchise. It is set After the End where, decades after Shao Kahn's defeat, an invasion of revenants has reduced Earthrealm to a desolate wasteland with its survivors settling in remote villages. Kano (voiced by David Wenham) has declared himself "King" and has taken over much of what is left with his followers.
A new hero named Kenshi Takahashi (Manny Jacinto) faces a tragedy that leaves him blind and sends him on a quest to take down Kano. He is now being mentored by an aged Kuai Liang (Ron Yuan), who has abandoned his title of Sub-Zero and sworn off using his powers after he lost control of them and caused a large number of deaths.
Other cast members include Keith Silverstein as Kabal, Courtenay Taylor as Kira and Yuri Lowenthal as both Kobra and Erron Black; in addition to Patrick Seitz and Artt Butler reprising their roles from the previous films as Scorpion and Shang Tsung respectively.
Followed up in production order by the spin-off, Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match.
This film contains examples of:
- Adaptation Expansion: The creators on both the commentary and the documentary about the Black Dragon freely admitted to taking this approach to Kano's arcade ending from Mortal Kombat 11, hence showing a world shaped by him using Kronika's hourglass.
- Adaptation Personality Change: Going with the above, however, unlike in his Arcade ending in 11, where Kano decided Victory Is Boring and Wanting Is Better Than Having, and thus gives up the Hourglass, this Kano prefers his role as ruler and uses the Hourglass to try to keep it. Downplayed, however, as Kano makes it clear he is bored with having won and actively enables Shang Tsung to regain his full power just to see if he'll be a challenge. It's implied Kano has reset the timeline multiple times purely out of boredom.
- Adaptational Badass: Kano is far more powerful here than he has ever been, and the original version was hardly weak himself. It's to the point where Kano is able to beat and kill Shang Tsung when the latter tries to overthrow him. Part of this is because he's now a full on cyborg rather than just having a cybernetic eye. Justified, as he's got control of Kronika's Hourglass and can alter history to empower himself however he likes.
- Adaptational Jerkass: While Kano was always a villain in the original game series, he is even worse here. After the world is destroyed by the revenants, Kano and his gang have taken over multiple villages killing anyone that opposes him — a kind of crime the original Kano is never shown doing. At the end of the film, it is revealed that Kano was the cause of the revenant infestation, so that he could take over as "King".
- Adaptational Villainy: Justified: Kano has control of Kronika's Hourglass, and thus can alter time however he pleases, including giving the Black Dragons anyone he wants.
- Erron Black, Ferra/Torr, and Drahmin are Black Dragon members in this adaptation. In the game timeline, Black, Ferra and Torr work for Kotal Kahn, though Black's older self is a Noble Demon at best while his past self was a Black Dragon member. Drahmin, meanwhile, is an Oni from the Netherrealm with no connection to the Black Dragon in the games.
- Kabal notoriously has a history of Heel–Face Revolving Door in the games. In this instance, like Black and Ferra/Torr, he's one of the bad guys.
- Adaptational Wimp: Shang Tsung is relegated from one of the series' most powerful sorcerers to Kano's personal servant. Even when his power is restored, he cannot stand against Kano for long. To be fair, Kano is an Adaptational Badass here.
- After the End: The film is set in an Earthrealm that has been devastated by a horde of revenants and left as a desolate wasteland.
- Age Lift: Kenshi is roughly the same age as Sub-Zero in the games. Here, he is significantly younger.
- An Arm and a Leg: Sub-Zero tears off his his own right arm to stop Kano after Kano pins it to the floor with a blade.
- Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Kenshi is initially portrayed as this until he gets his clock cleaned by Tremor.
- Ascended Extra: Kano played an insignificant role in the first film. Here, he's the Big Bad.
- Aura Vision: Kenshi develops this by honing his senses. This feature also replaces the X-Ray aspect from the previous two films.
- Bad Boss: Kano tends to subject his own subordinates to his twisted games, nor does he hesitate to use them as meat shields against Shang Tsung.
- Big Bad: Kano is the ultimate tyrant of the wasteland that is Earthrealm. It is later revealed that he is the cause of Earthrealm's current state as he was the one who unleashed the horde of revenants.
- Big Bad Wannabe: Shang Tsung, being Shang Tsung, takes the first oppertunity he gets to try and usurp Kano after finding the Well of Souls, and is the cause of Kenshi's misery for the film. However, his attempt to kill Kano and take over ends in failure and death. Kano implies Shang Tsung has tried this in so many of the timelines he made that Kano is bored of it and disappointed Shang Tsung wasn't more of a challenge.
- Bittersweet Ending: Kano is dead and thus the world is free from him, and he's no longer around to continue his Revenant onslaught to keep the world how he likes it. however, Sub-Zero has to leave with Scorpion to Netherrealm as part of their agreement.
- The Brute: Tremor is the only one of Kano's flunkies who actually gives Kenshi trouble.
- Bullying a Dragon: The Black Dragon's attitude towards the good guys. Naturally it doesn't end well for any of them by the climax.
- But Now I Must Go: Sub-Zero is revealed to have forged a proposition with Scorpion offscreen, should he ever use his powers again. But before he and Scorpion depart to the Netherrealm, he leaves Kenshi in charge of the Lin Kuei.
- Calling the Old Man Out: When Sub-Zero's village is invaded by Kano's forces, Sub-Zero is ready to flee. Kenshi calls him out on how he is cowering in fear of losing control of his powers and that they should help, as it's the right thing to do. Sub-Zero eventually gets the message and offers his assistance.
- The Cameo:
- A revenant Nightwolf appears in Sub-Zero's flashback.
- Jarek is promptly killed by Kenshi after first appearing onscreen.
- Dairou shows up for a split second missing an attack on Scorpion after the latter frees Kenshi. He is never seen again.
- Drahmin appears alongside the other Black Dragons after they capture Kenshi.
- Cool Old Guy: Kuai Liang/Sub-Zero is now an old man, but can still kick lots of ass.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Scorpion easily kills No-Face, Ferra/Torr, and Erron Black.
- Darker and Edgier: While the first two Legends films were by no means light fare, this one is particularly gruesome, especially the scenes where Kano brutally kills people just because he can. It also has virtually no comic relief to leaven things.
- Death Seeker: Kenshi briefly becomes suicidal after he is blinded.
- Decoy Antagonist: It was assumed that Shang Tsung would be the Big Bad. It was actually Kano who took on the role this time.
- Dented Iron: Advanced age aside, Sub-Zero is still able to keep fighting despite taking heavy damage.
- Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?: Kano defeated Kronika and took her Hourglass for himself.
- The Dragon: Shang Tsung is Kano's advocate and second-in-command and, unlike his alliance with Shao Kahn, he doesn't enjoy this position one bit.
- Dragon with an Agenda: While Shang Tsung is serving under Kano, he secretly plots to overthrow him. That failed.
- Kabal, Kobra, and Kira consider defecting from the Black Dragon in order to "do their own thing".
- The Drifter: Kenshi is a wanderer that travels from town to town in search of a worthy opponent to further hone his skills.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: When Kobra is killed by Shang Tsung, everyone is momentarily shocked at the sight. Even Kano openly apologizes to his slain comrade.
- Excessive Evil Eyeshadow: Kira, to the point that it resembles a Lone Ranger mask as it even extends past her temples.
- Evil Redhead: Again, Kira.
- Kano, who has black hair in the games, oddly sports a ginger Mohawk here.
- Fingore: Kenshi has two fingers on each hand shot off by Erron Black near the climax.
- Five-Second Foreshadowing: Near the end of the movie, Kano pulls out a skull with Kronika's Crown on it to unlock a door when he is being chased by Sub-Zero.
- Flat Character: No-Face, Jarek, Drahmin, Ferra/Torr, and Dairou get no characterization at all.
- Foreshadowing: A rather blatant exchange between Kano and Shang Tsung keys the viewer in that this Alternate Universe is not what it seems.Kano: You know, I'd been wondering where you got off to, Shang Tsung.
Shang Tsung: I went off to find a way to put you back in your place.
Kano: [unsurprised] Oh. You found the well of souls, then.
[Shang Tsung visibly falters]
Kano: Come now. Why do you think I sent you to the outpost? We've done this dance before. But I thought this time... this time you might give me just a little bit of a challenge. - For the Evulz: When establishing their authority, the Black Dragon gleefully commit excessive atrocities against helpless villagers just for kicks.
- Grievous Harm with a Body: After fatally stabbing Ferra with his spear, Scorpion uses her corpse as a weapon against the other Black Dragons.
- "Groundhog Day" Loop: Kano's conversations with Shang Tsung and Sub-Zero imply he's basically turned the timeline into this: he gets bored of having won and having no challenge, resets the timeline, then gets bored again. He's done it so often that Shang Tsung betraying him by finding the Well of Souls is boring.
- Half the Man He Used to Be: Erron Black is bisected by Scorpion. Tremor and Jarek suffer similar fates against Kenshi.
- Handicapped Badass: Thanks to Sub-Zero's training, Kenshi hones his other senses after his blindness and is able to handle himself against the Black Dragons in the climax. Even his missing fingers — shot off by Erron Black — aren't a hindrance.
- Hijacked by Ganon: Subverted: Shang Tsung attempts to usurp Kano and become the Big Bad, as would be expected of him, after finding the Well of Souls, but Kano defeats and kills him. Shang Tsung has apparently tried this so many times Kano finds it boring.
- Hollywood Healing: After Kenshi loses the pinky and ring fingers on both hands, he simply bandages his wounds and joins the fight against the Dragons. He is also still capable of wielding his sword, which, in reality, would be next to impossible.
- House Fire: Kuai Liang burns down his own farmhouse in order to summon Scorpion, with whom he then joins forces in aiding Kenshi against the Black Dragons.
- Immune to Bullets: Erron Black attempts to kill Scorpion by shooting him. Scorpion, of course, is an undead specter, so it doesn't work.
- It's Personal: Kenshi lampshades this when he tells Sub-Zero he'll handle Tremor during the climax. Justified in that Tremor had wiped the floor with Kenshi earlier in the film.
- Jobber: Jarek, No-Face, Ferra/Torr, and Drahmin serve no other purpose in the film aside from being dispatched by the heroes in order to showcase their strength.
- Kneel Before Zod: Kano wants everyone to bow before him, but one villager declares he'd rather die free than bow as a slave. Kano predictably kills him on the spot.
- Kill It with Fire: Scorpion, twice. No-Face goes up in flames after his back-mounted gas tank is punctured by his kunai. Scorpion then personally torches Kabal alive.
- Logo Joke: The Warner Bros Animation logo appears through Kenshi's impaired vision.
- Neck Lift: A rejuvinated Shang Tsung does this to Kano before the failed Soul Steal.
- Never Was This Universe: The movie isn't a sequel to the previous films, but set in an alternate universe created by a version of Kano who got Kronika's Hourglass.
- No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: Tremor delivers a brutal beatdown on Kenshi in their first fight. Only Shang Tsung's intervention saves Kenshi from death.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Kuai Liang delivers one to Kenshi when Kenshi expresses despair over what he lost. Kuai Liang also briefly describes being at his lowest and wanting to die.
- Offscreen Moment of Awesome: Decades before the movie, Kano has killed Kronika and used her Hourglass to rewrite history.
- Off with His Head!:
- Kira is decapitated by Kenshi. Likewise with No-Face, by Scorpion.
- After brutalizing Shang Tsung, Kano finishes him off by performing the classice Spine Rip on him.
- One-Man Army: Kenshi proves able to take on multiple opponents at once.
- Out of Focus: No mention is made about anyone from the previous two films, save for the appearance of a Liu Kang statue. Justified, as it was never the same timeline.
- Poor, Predictable Rock: Kano mocks Shang Tsung that he's disappointed Tsung didn't try anything different in his attempt to usurp him. this shows as his goto soul steal backfires when he learns too late Kano no longer has one. He implies that Shang Tsung has literally tried to usurp him the exact same way every single time they've done this 'song and dance'.
- Profane Last Words: The last word to come out of Kano's mouth before his brutal death is "bollocks".
- Retired Badass: Although Sub-Zero had stepped away from fighting after accidentally killing his men years ago, he is still able to train Kenshi and hold his own against the Black Dragon.
- Rewatch Bonus: Knowing that Kano has reset time repeatedly and has most likely lived these events before, much of Kano's dialogue with Shang Tsung about how he and Shang Tsung have "done this dance before" and how he "made this world" becomes a lot more understandable.
- Riding into the Sunset: The final scene has Kenshi walking into the sunset of the destroyed Earthrealm after Sub-Zero names him the Lin Kuei's new successor.
- Sadist: Kano openly establishes himself as such. He forces people to fight to the death for his amusement, and when one fighter refuses to kill the other, Kano kills her personally. When Kano captures Kenshi, he opts for an extended torture session instead of executing him swiftly.
- The Soulless: As Kano is cybernetic, he has no soul left for Shang Tsung to absorb, rendering the latter's powers useless. Kano was aware of this (and doesn't care), Shang Tsung wasn't, leaving the latter wide open.
- The Starscream: Shang Tsung, as par the course for him, is working for Kano while secretly plotting to overthrow him. He gets his opportunity after absorbing the power unleashed from the Well of Souls, but it fails miserably, and PAINFULLY. Kano not only saw it coming, he allowed it to happen in hopes Tsung would be a worthy challenge.
- Throwing Your Sword Always Works: Kenshi does this a couple of times.
- Time Master: Kano killed Kronika and took her Hourglass, allowing him to control the timeline and remake it as he sees fit. However, he needs to actually be touching it to do so. He attempts to Ret-Gone Sub-Zero at the climax, but Subzero is able to stop him in the nick of time.
- Torso with a View: Kobra, after being caught in the crossfire of Shang Tsung's attempt to kill Kano.
- Unexplained Recovery: It is never explained how Kano was able to return after the events of Scorpion's Revenge, where he was killed by Sonya and Johnny Cage. It is implied that he was reassembled with additional cybernetics. Then again, this film isn't set in the same continuity as Scorpion's Revenge.
- Victory Is Boring: Kano admits to Sub-Zero being a Wasteland Warlord who basically rules the world had gotten boring. It's implied he's reset the timeline over and over precisely because he got bored with his victory.
- Villain World: It turns out the film is actually set in the timeline Kano created after killing Kronika and taking control of her Hourglass.
- Was Once a Man: Kano is now more machine than human as Shang Tsung couldn't steal his soul, since Kano doesn't have one.
- Walking the Earth: Kenshi is a wandering warrior with no true home to speak of.
- Wasteland Warlord: Kano has set himself up as an Evil Overlord out of Mad Max following the end of the world. Turns out he caused said end of the world specifically so he could be one.
- Wham Shot: As Sub-Zero chases Kano, he enters an unexpected room and finds an equally unexpected item; Kronika's Hourglass.
- Even before that, Kano opens this room up using a skull wearing Kronika's crown.
- The Worf Effect: Shang Tsung finds the Well of Souls and gains his full power, casually killing a number of Kano's minions. While putting up a decent fight, he's ultimately overpowered and killed, showing just how deadly this version of Kano is. Kano is disappointed he doesn't serve more of a challenge. Justified: Kano has not only massively empowered himself with Kronika's Hourglass, but gone through this with Shang Tsung so many times it's become predictable..
- Wolverine Publicity: Shang Tsung is featured in the film's cover art in order to attract viewers, as he is one of the Mortal Kombat series' most iconic villains. He is quickly killed by the true Big Bad of the film, Kano, who was omitted from the cover.
- Would Hit a Girl: Kenshi has no qualms about attacking Kira, and kills several female mooks.
- Scorpion also qualifies after killing Ferra.
- Your Soul Is Mine!: Subverted in that Kano has no soul to steal. Shang Tsung discovers this the hard way right before he is offed by Kano.
