A Clash of Cinematic Worlds
Not all weekends will offer the kind of showdown between an intense and action-packed film and culture that we will witness this weekend in the shape of Mortal Kombat II, which is anticipated to make an opening weekend of $40 million or more, going head to head with The Devil Wears Prada 2. This movie might skip on the fist fights but has its own cultural relevance.
The coming weekend promises to be interesting.
‘Mortal Kombat II’: Bigger, Louder, Bloodier
The movie is capitalizing on the success of the original Mortal Kombat, which included exciting fights, iconic characters, and intense action. From the early tracking data, it seems that the movie will appeal to not only the fans of the video game but also to new viewers who enjoyed the revamped version of the original movie.
What should you look forward to? There will be more deaths, better plotlines, and the grandiose production that was alluded to in the previous movies. Everything falls into place, and the movie is set to be a blockbuster, especially with the young male audience that enjoys action movies.
But there is one issue.
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’: Style Meets Staying Power
On the other side of this ring stands The Devil Wears Prada 2 – a movie that did not seem like it was going to happen, yet everyone feels instantly intrigued by it.
After all, its predecessor proved to be one hell of a classic film, thanks largely to the performance of Meryl Streep and the way the movie story touched the audience.
However, this sequel has an extra element of importance because it adds nostalgia to the list of factors contributing to its appeal. This sequel is expected to draw audiences from different groups, particularly female viewers and older viewers who would rather go see another movie than this action film.
It may just turn out to be a formidable competitor.
The Battle for No. 1
At first glance, it would appear that Mortal Kombat II is certainly the film to beat with its whopping opening weekend figure of $40 million plus and the usual power of film franchises based on action films. It should also be taken into consideration that successful movies do not depend on opening weekend box office alone.
While the Devil Wears Prada 2 may not be able to compete with Mortal Kombat II for the opening weekend figures, it may still pull ahead through the power of creating hype among the audiences. For Mortal Kombat II to beat the competition, it should continue with its excellent performance.
Courtesy of Gage Skidmore (Flickr CC0)What This Weekend Says About Hollywood
In addition to the numbers, what’s happening at the box office demonstrates a trend within Hollywood; one that has become more apparent due to the tendency of using intellectual property that audiences are familiar with, yet through vastly different means.
One method of entertainment focuses on the concept of visual spectacle derived from the world of video games, and the other tells a story through characters fueled by nostalgia and cultural importance. Both methods have been shown to work in their own right, but rarely have the two gone head-to-head before.
Audience Power Will Decide the Winner
Lastly, this weekend goes to the viewers. Do the viewers want to see action films featuring exciting fights or would they want to enjoy more discussions and drama? It is also essential to consider curiosity since some people could be enticed to view both films because of their extreme differences.
The Final Round Begins
As cinemas prepare to host one of the most peculiar combinations in recent times, one fact stands clear—the combination will be more than just commercial.
Whether it turns out that Mortal Kombat 2 wins by having a spectacular release or whether it’s The Devil Wears Prada 2 that emerges triumphant, one thing that is sure to happen is that viewers will benefit from enjoying the contrasting moods of the two films at once.
In today’s day and age, there is no asset that is as important as focus, and this is exactly what Hollywood needs.
By David Loran Jr
A successful Editor-in-Chief, journalist for over 6 years, writing about important topics that are going on within the U.S. and beyond.
Sources:
Rotten Tomatoes: Mortal Kombat II First Reviews: An Upgrade In Action, Fan Service, And Fun
Featured Image Courtesy of David Fuentes‘ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
