TWENTIETH Century's sci-fi comedy 'Free Guy' slipped but did not trip on Sunday as it clung to the top spot in North American movie theatres with an estimated take of US$18.8 million (RM79.51 million), industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported.
The film, its release delayed a year by the Covid-19 pandemic, is a lighthearted yarn starring Ryan Reynolds as an Everyman bank teller who finds – not unlike Jim Carrey's character in 'The Truman Show' – that he is a character in a huge video game and must save his friends from being deleted.
Family-friendly 'Free Guy' was slightly off from its US$28 million opening weekend, but analysts said its result was impressive with Covid-19 still hanging over the industry and Tropical Storm Henri deterring moviegoers in the US Northeast. It has a healthy global take so far of US$112 million.
In second position, earning US$13 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, was new Paramount release 'Paw Patrol: The Movie'. That was a respectable total, said Variety.com, for a film aimed at young kids – who remain ineligible for Covid vaccines.
'Paw Patrol' tells the story of a boy named Ryder and the brave pups who help him save Adventure City from a colossally evil mayor.
Third spot went to Disney's family adventure film 'Jungle Cruise', at US$6.2 million. Its plot – well, suffice it to say it is based on a theme-park ride.
Horror feature 'Don't Breathe 2', from Sony, followed with a US$5.1 million take in its second weekend. Starring Stephen Lang – who has what website Rotten Tomatoes calls a "thrillingly imposing presence" – it revolves around a game of mass murder perpetuated by a blind veteran.
And in fifth place was United Artists' biopic 'Respect', at US$3.8 million. Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson stars as queen of soul Aretha Franklin – who reportedly picked Hudson for the role.
The Washington Post calls her portrayal a "kind of creative – even spiritual – mind-meld that sends a chill down the spine and a catch to the throat."
Rounding out the top 10 were:
'The Suicide Squad' (US$3.4 million)
'The Protégé' (US$2.9 million)
'The Night House' (US$2.9 million)
'Reminiscence' (US$2 million)
'Black Widow' (US$1.2 million) – AFP, August 23, 2021
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