PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The summer box office is shaping up to be another competitive weekend at theaters, with one of two sequels expected to lead the pack.
The new sequel from Warner Bros. opened to $43 million domestically. It came in right behind The Devil Wears Prada 2, despite predictions saying Mortal Kombat would take the lead.
The film serves as something of a reset for the franchise, introducing Karl Urban as Johnny Cage while leaning much harder into the brutal action, over-the-top violence and tournament-style storytelling fans wanted from the 2021 movie.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 continues to exceed expectations after its huge debut. The sequel is projected to earn another $38 to $43 million in its second weekend after opening to $76.7 million.
The return of Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt has clearly struck a chord with audiences, helping the film maintain strong momentum through nostalgia and positive word of mouth.
Meanwhile, Michael continues its impressive theatrical run. The biopic about Michael Jackson is expected to bring in another $25 to $30 million in its third weekend. The film has already earned nearly $190 million domestically and more than $434 million worldwide, becoming a major success for Lionsgate.
Jack’s Review: Mortal Kombat II
I went to see Mortal Kombat II this week, and while I don’t think it’s the best movie of all time, I do think it delivers a lot more of what fans wanted the first time around.
One of the biggest improvements is that the sequel actually centers around the tournament itself instead of just teasing it. Karl Urban was also a standout for me as Johnny Cage. He brings the exact kind of cocky, over-the-top energy the character needs while still managing to be genuinely funny and charismatic throughout the film.
The movie also fully embraces its video game roots this time around. The fights are bigger, the roster of characters is stronger and the fatalities are far more brutal than they were in the 2021 film. If you thought the first movie was violent, this one definitely cranks things up another level.
That said, this movie is much more focused on entertainment than storytelling. It’s not trying to be some deep prestige blockbuster, and honestly, it doesn’t need to be. If you grew up playing the games and just want to watch these characters throw down in ridiculous fashion for two hours, there’s a good chance you’ll have fun with it.
After years of video game movies struggling to figure out what audiences actually want, it’s refreshing to see studios finally starting to embrace the fun and chaos that made these franchises popular in the first place.
Overall, I’m giving Mortal Kombat II a 6 out of 10.
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