The awkwardly punctuated movie continues its reign of terror.
Here’s how it looks (holiday 3 and 4 day weekend breakdown courtesy of Deadline):
1. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Est 3-Day Weekend $28.2M
Est 4-Day Holiday $40M
2. Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows
Est 3-Day Weekend $20.8M
Est 4-Day Holiday $27M
3. War Horse
Est 3-Day Weekend $13.1M
Est 4-Day Holiday $17.6M
4. Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Est 3-Day Weekend $18M
Est 4-Day Holiday $23M
5. We Bought a Zoo
Est 3-Day Weekend $13M
Est 4-Day Holiday $17M
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Est 3-Day Weekend $13.9M
Est 4-Day Holiday $20M
(At this point “Zoo” and “Dragon Tattoo” are still being rated as a virtual tie.)
So, the little movie that could, “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” has come out on top again. If you had asked anyone in September which movie being released during the crowded last month of the year would emerge as the biggest hit, I doubt anyone would have said “M:I – GP.” I keep seeing articles saying things like, “Tom Cruise proves he’s a box office draw again” and “Tom Cruise shows he’s still a major star.” I’m not saying he’s not a star–obviously he is, because in my opinion stars are rated on a combination of how many times their name is above the title + the number of magazines/gossip column’s they’re mentioned in + the number of people photographing them on a red carpet. What I have kept arguing over the last few weeks is that it is a mistake to act like this movie is a hit because people wanted to see a “Tom Cruise” movie. Outside of newly developing markets like China, I just don’t think that’s true. I think this movie just happened to hit the spot as a perfect mix of action, excitement, brainlessness and some star power that appealed to audiences turned off by too many other movies that didn’t appeal to them. I’ve said it over and over again over the last few weeks–Hollywood, don’t overrate stars’ contribution to the box office.
As for the rest: “Sherlock Holmes” soldiers on, not anything close to a bust, but not a phenom like its predecessor. “War Horse” is playing in a thousand less theaters than the movies ahead of it on the list and is more than holding its own. Lots of people with little girls who want to see a movie about a horse are coming out to see it. Parents with very young children are gloomily packing on more holiday pounds as they find solace in Milk Duds while suffering through “Chipwrecked,” the only movie available for families with little kids.
Hey, is “We Bought a Zoo” flopping because Matt Damon can’t open a movie? Either that or maybe the movie’s mixed messages are keeping audiences away (comic title, grimly melodramatic trailer, footage). Is “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” flopping because of Daniel Craig? Or is it because it is a relentlessly grim movie during a season when people are looking for cheer?
We are now about to enter the January doldrums. Hey, what’s opening next week? Why, it looks like cheapie horror movie “The Devil Inside” is our only wide release. Lord. Have. Mercy. On. Us.
