Though they’re mixed overall, this week’s “Mortal Kombat II” film is getting the franchise’s best review aggregate numbers on Rotten Tomatoes (69%) and second best on Metacritic (49/100).
Current projections for the film have it around $35-40 million domestically and a further $30-40 million overseas for a strong worldwide opening weekend of anywhere between $65-80 million.
That’s close to the film’s $80 million production budget, considerably more than the 2021 film’s $23 million opening weekend, and not far off the total $84 million worldwide gross of the 2021 film after just three days.
You’d think those involved would be happy, but not producer Todd Garner who has taken to X to slam criticism from those who aren’t fans of the games, especially those who are unfamiliar with it:
“Some of these reviews are cracking me up. It’s clear they have never played the game and have no idea what the fans want or ANY of the rules/canon of Mortal Kombat. One reviewer was mad that a guy ‘had a laser eye!’ Why the f— do we still allow people that don’t have any love for the genre review these movies! Baffling.”
Garner didn’t leave it there either, replying to fans and insisting the film was “made for the fans” and not critics, or presumably general audiences not familiar with the material.
Garner indicates he isn’t above criticism himself. When one person responded: “Bro to be fair, you invented Cole Young, Arcana and couldn’t even get the simple lore of Mileena and Kitana correct. I’d say you shouldn’t be tossing any stones here,” he responded: “Fair.”
Garner himself has been a passionate advocate for the film online, using his social media channels to promote the hell out of the film throughout production and up to release.
