The following contains spoilers for Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, now available digitally and on Blu-ray.
When the trailer for Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind dropped, fans were intrigued by the presence of King Kano. It promised a new direction, with the Black Dragon taking over this post-apocalyptic universe. Intriguingly, none of the old guard was around, leaving Kenshi and Sub-Zero to save Earthrealm from this toxic ruler. In that sense, the franchise felt like it was painting more of a character portrait, with Sub-Zero honoring the fallen Lin Kuei clan and Kenshi trying to find his path in a world devoid of justice. Unfortunately, by the time the final act kicks in, Snow Blind regresses into a trope the iconic MK series has beaten to death: the use of Scorpion.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Employs Scorpion to Help Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero's trying hard not to use his powers anymore after he lost control years ago and accidentally took innocent lives. However, sensing Kenshi needs help bringing down Kano's empire, he deploys what seems to be Scorpion's spear, calling the wraith back from Hell. And it turns out that Sub-Zero brokered a pact in that if he ever suited up again, the yellow-clad ninja would get to take him to the Netherrealm.
Of course, they're on good terms now after the Shirai Ryu fallout, which wasn't due to the first Sub-Zero (Bi-Han) but Shinnok and Quan Chi's scheming. As such, this Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang) gets to do what his brother couldn't -- fight alongside Scorpion -- and they help Kenshi burn Kano's crew to the ground. Scorpion then takes Sub-Zero to the fiery pits, leaving Kenshi to usher in a new age of heroes.
Mortal Kombat Has Focused Too Much on Scorpion
The problem is that Scorpion has gotten a lot of air time, mostly because of his rivalry with Quan-Chi and Shinnok. Even the recent movie focused on him, and it seems the sequel will, too. As for the animated films, Scorpion's Revenge had him avenging his clan, while Battle of the Realms forced him back into play from the afterlife to stop Shinnok. But after he went back to Hell, he deserved some rest.
Sadly, Snow Blind resurrects him when it doesn't need to. Having Sub-Zero going out on his own would have shown his true power, unleashing the ice-ninja like never before. It would have shifted the usual shtick of Scorpion being the weapon of mass destruction to Kuai Liang now cutting that scary figure. The film could even have had Ermac using his necromancy or a Shang Tsung betraying Kano to bring Bi-Han back as Noob Saibot, which would subvert the lore perfectly.
It would have presented Kuai Liang with a dream partnership the game didn't even flesh out. But it's as if the series doesn't trust other A-listers, falling back on a lazy, tedious creative move. Ultimately, the brothers-in-arms reuniting or Kuai Liang rolling solo would have lent more to the title in terms of the Lin Kuei no longer being blinded by hatred or fear. But instead, Snow Blind hinges on Scorpion once more as a ridiculous deus ex machina when he's nothing more than a predictable Hail Mary play that spams the narrative to craft an automatic win.
To see Scorpion return, Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind is now available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and digital HD.