We have a new smash hit on our hands. Despite lukewarm, at best, critical reception, The Da Vinci Code has proven to be a huge hit. It brought in over $77 million domestically and over $230 million worldwide. It is the second biggest worldwide opening of all time, trailing only Star Wars: Episode III from last year which took in over $250 million.
I saw the film early Monday afternoon, and there was still a good-sized crowd. This film is doing something that potential blockbusters do not normally do — it is skewing towards an older audience. I am sure that the overwhelming popularity of the book is drawing out many people who do not normally go to the movies. I thought the movie was good, not great, but an interesting little thriller. Although, I will say that Tom Hanks was not the ideal casting choice for the lead role.
Coming in way behind the leader, but more than holding its own, is the latest CG animated film, Over the Hedge. It is a delightful story about friendship and food. The voice casting was excellent, particularly with regards to Steve Carell as Hammy the hyperactive squirrel. It is, however, very similar to another squirrel, in Hoodwinked. It brought in over $37 million, and I suspect it will have good legs, at least until Cars arrives in June.
The other wide new release this week was See No Evil. It's a low budget horror film, the first from WWE Films, Vince McMahon's latest attempt at brand extension, and distributed by Lionsgate. It performed well, placing sixth and having the third best per-screen average of the top ten films. I saw it, and it is a fun, down and dirty little horror film. It stars Glen Jacobs, better known to WWE fans as Kane, as the killer, and he may not say many words, but man does he have gigantic screen presence. It is nothing terribly original, but it is shot well and is a lot of fun.
Article comments
1 - Cwilson
Isn't it somewhat of a misnomer to say "second biggest worldwide opening of all time"? It's not often that a movie is opened worldwide in a simultaneous fashion like this.
To compare genre, Passion of the Christ opened with $83 million in February. Albeit that was a Wednesday opening.