Mortal Kombat 2 is tearing apart critic and audience review scores once again, but what does this really suggest? Personally, I think it's fascinating to see how the franchise has managed to maintain a strong fan base while also avoiding a 'rotten' Rotten Tomatoes score from critics. What makes this particularly interesting is the contrast between the 65% critic score and the 89% audience score, which is almost identical to the split for the original Mortal Kombat. This raises a deeper question: why do some critics struggle to appreciate the franchise, and what does this say about the relationship between critics and fans in the film industry? In my opinion, the answer lies in the fact that Mortal Kombat 2 has managed to strike a balance between catering to fans and maintaining a coherent story. The addition of key characters like Johnny Cage and Kitana, along with the retention of blood and gore, has created a film that fans love while also avoiding the pitfalls of a poorly-received movie. However, this doesn't mean that all critics have been fair in their reviews. One thing that immediately stands out is the fact that some critics have taken shots at the film, suggesting that they may not have played the game or understood the rules and canon of Mortal Kombat. This is where the line between critic and fan becomes blurred, and it's important to recognize that not all critics are created equal. From my perspective, it's clear that Mortal Kombat 2 has been a success, with $5.2 million in previews and estimates of $40-45 million this weekend. This is a very solid performance for an R-rated feature, and it's likely that the film will double the domestic opening of the first movie. What this really suggests is that the Mortal Kombat franchise has found a formula that works, and it's one that's likely to continue to be successful. However, the test will be the upcoming Street Fighter movie, which will be a friendly rival to Mortal Kombat 2. I predict that Street Fighter will do pretty well, but Mortal Kombat 2 is already looking like a huge success. In conclusion, Mortal Kombat 2 is a fascinating example of how a franchise can maintain a strong fan base while also avoiding a 'rotten' Rotten Tomatoes score from critics. It raises important questions about the relationship between critics and fans, and it's a reminder that not all critics are created equal. What many people don't realize is that the success of Mortal Kombat 2 is a testament to the power of fan engagement and the importance of understanding the rules and canon of a franchise. If you take a step back and think about it, it's clear that Mortal Kombat 2 has struck a balance between catering to fans and maintaining a coherent story, and that's what makes it such a fascinating and successful film.
