DreamWork Animation's animated sequel "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" opened
wildly this weekend in US and Canadian theaters, beating industry expectations
and virtually dispersing an impression that there is an economic recession
underway.
The family comedy about a group of New York Zoo animals' journey to Africa
took in US$63.5 million over the three-day period in North America, far
surpassing the US$47.2-million debut of the original film in 2005, according to
studio figures released yesterday.
"Madagascar 2" also scored the best opening of the year for a family film,
overpassing "Wall-E" and "Kung Fu Panda" which opened with about 63 million and
US$60 million respectively in summer.
Meanwhile, Sony's latest James Bond film dominated overseas box office over
the weekend as "Quantum of Solace" claimed the top spot in each of the 60
markets with a collective take of US$106.5 million.
Universal's R-rated comedy "Role Models" opened in No. 2 in North America
this weekend with an unexpected US$19.3 million, followed by Disney's "High
School Musical 3" with US$9.3 million
The Disney teenager sensation, which was the box office leader in last two
weeks, has grossed US$75.7 million in North America since it opened as the first
big-screen version of the original television movie franchise.
Angelina Jolie-starred "Changeling," a Universal production directed by
Oscar-winning veteran Clint Eastwood, was steady in No.4 with US$7.3 million,
while comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" from Weinstein Co. dropped two spots
to No. 5 with US$6.5 million.
With help of the surprising performance of "Madagascar 2," the top-selling 12
movies took in about US$128.8 million this weekend in North America, a 32
percent increase from the same weekend last year.
Hollywood is expected to see a bumper start of the upcoming holiday season as
the 007 film "Quantum of Solace," which has grossed US$160.3 million overseas,
opens domestically Friday, followed by Summit Entertainment's vampire romance
"Twilight" and Disney's animated canine comedy "Bolt" next week.
