"A live fish yields a bigger catch than a dead one." This saying and other profundities can be learned by watching Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, the sequel to the 1995 hit that was inspired by the popular video game. While the story is fairly simple this time (our heroes try to stop the earth from merging with an evil realm), the movie itself is more confusing than a French art film. The acting and special effects are inconsistent (there is at least a delightful scene where the Eiffel Tower juts out of a desert), and the dialogue is guaranteed to send anyone over the age of 12 into uncontrollable giggling. Less discriminating kids will love the sloppily staged punching and kicking, but you're better off with a Jackie Chan movie. In his flicks, the fights are thrilling and the laughs are intentional (PG-13). Rating: 2

Rating: 2