Meek tops all, although I think he was possibly a better Shao Kahn than a Rayden.

Raiden's not an asian god, he's the whole world's god. And he can choose his physical appearance.

Some cultures worshipped him as Thor, some as Zeus, Nightwolf worships him as "Haokah", he's all thunder gods everywhere.

The reason he goes by "Raiden" the most is because that's what the Order of Light knows him as, and they're the mortals he has the most contact with.

An even better point.

True... Lambert is the better Raiden.
But come on! Admit it! James Remar is a good actor! He just wasn't right for that role.

I'm sorry, but acting is making the audience believe the character you're playing is "real", that they're feeling and reacting to things in a genuine, believable way, and I've never seen him do that. He's very flat most of the time, and when he is emoting, there's still something off and unconvincing about it.

I think Remar made a good Raiden. Nowhere near as good as Lambert, but he's still got plenty of screen presence and was enjoyable to watch.

To be completely honest though, my favorite Raiden is Jeff Meek, even above Lambert. He just brought so many layers to the character.

Annihilation just had the worst script and director ever. I think the best moment of acting in MKA (not that it's saying much) is when Rayden argues with Shao Kahn and Shinnok before the final battle.
"It is not weak, to value life!" was fairly well delivered.

I watched Annihilation for the first time last night and all through it i was thinking "where did i see him before?" so i looked it up on imdb and found the answer - SEX AND THE CITY!!!!

... the shame.

and yes, that movie is so bad it's funny.

He can choose his physical appearance huh? Well it looks like John Tobais has been choosing it for him and rightfully so. Therefore, Raiden should stick with Tobais' original design and intentions of having more of an Asian influence. If Raiden can't handle looking Asian he should ditch the Asian attire altogether.

Just to clarify above, when I said 'that movie', I meant Annihilation.

I understand why people are expecting an Asian - themed Raiden, after all it's in the name, the Japanese word for the god of thunder is Raijin, or something similar. I just wish people would stop focusing on it quite so much because it's hardly what defines him.

Carlos Pesina is Hispanic, dude.
And the only Asian thing about his outfit is the hat. Which, again, he wears because he spends a lot of TIME in China hanging out with a bunch of Chinese monks.

I like Remar in Warriors.

Ajax was basically the Leroy Jenkins of the group.