Mortal Kombat 2 is tearing apart critic and audience review scores once again, but is it really fair to judge it based on these reviews? Personally, I think the film's success lies in its ability to cater to both fans and casual viewers, and its critical reception is a reflection of the divide between these two groups. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the 65% critic score and the 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It's almost identical to the original Mortal Kombat, which had a 55% critic score and an 85% audience score. This trend raises a deeper question: are critics truly equipped to evaluate films that are designed for a specific audience? In my opinion, the answer is no. Critics often fail to understand the nuances and intricacies of a genre, and their reviews can be misleading for those who are not familiar with the source material. One thing that immediately stands out is the producer's frustration with some of the negative reviews. Todd Garner's tweet highlights the issue of critics who have never played the game and have no idea what the fans want or the rules/canon of Mortal Kombat. This is a common problem in the film industry, where critics are often not the target audience and may not appreciate the nuances of a genre. What many people don't realize is that the success of a film like Mortal Kombat 2 lies in its ability to balance fan expectations with a coherent story and engaging visuals. The film has added more key characters, kept the blood and gore, and maintained a coherent story, which has resonated with fans. However, some critics have failed to recognize the film's strengths and have instead focused on its flaws. If you take a step back and think about it, it's clear that the success of a film like Mortal Kombat 2 is not solely determined by critic reviews. The film has already made $5.2 million in previews and is expected to make $40-45 million this weekend, which is a very solid performance for an R-rated feature. This success is a testament to the film's ability to cater to both fans and casual viewers, and it's a reminder that critics should not be the sole arbiters of a film's success. In conclusion, Mortal Kombat 2 is a film that has torn apart critic and audience review scores, but its success lies in its ability to cater to both fans and casual viewers. The film's critical reception is a reflection of the divide between these two groups, and it's a reminder that critics should not be the sole arbiters of a film's success. From my perspective, the film's success is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of understanding your audience.