Fatality on Film Critics? Mortal Kombat 2 Producer Unhappy With Reviews!
Salaam PakGamers fam! So, the new Mortal Kombat 2 film dropped recently, and let’s just say it’s gotten more mixed reactions than a random character select in a fighting game. While dedicated gaming websites seemed to enjoy the brutal action, many mainstream film critics apparently found it… well, less than stellar. But here’s where things get spicy: the film’s producer, Todd Garner, is absolutely not having it!
Garner, who also worked on the first MK film, took to X (formerly Twitter, you know the drill) to voice his frustration. He believes that many critics reviewing the film haven’t ever picked up a Mortal Kombat game controller and have zero clue about what fans want, or even the basic lore and rules of the universe. He even highlighted one reviewer who was apparently annoyed that a character had a “laser eye” – seriously!
“Why do we still let people who have no love for the genre review these movies?” Garner questioned, clearly baffled by the situation. It’s a point many gamers can relate to: sometimes it feels like critics just don’t understand the niche appeal or the source material.
Now, while it’s true that a hardcore art-house film critic might not be the best judge for a martial arts movie packed with gruesome fatalities, it’s also important to remember that the Mortal Kombat 2 film is a big-budget Hollywood production. It’s aiming for a wide audience, not just the die-hard fans. So, it kinda has to stand on its own two feet as a movie, regardless of its gaming roots.
Garner seems determined to position the film as being “for the fans,” which is a noble thought. But with an estimated budget of $80 million, you’d expect it to appeal beyond just the core fanbase. He even agreed with a user who claimed that critics are losing influence and that the “gamification of movie reviews has gotten absurd.”
However, the plot thickens! Even some fans weren’t entirely on Garner’s side when it came to the lore. One astute observer on X pointed out that the film itself took liberties, mentioning characters like Cole Young and Arcana, and even getting the history of fan-favourites Mileena and Kitana not quite right. To his credit, Garner simply replied, “Fair.”
So, what do you guys think? Should films based on beloved games only be judged by those who live and breathe the source material, or do they need to stand tall as cinematic experiences for everyone? Let us know in the comments below!