The Hollywood Reporter looks at the fourth Indiana Jones flick’s chances of knocking off Spider-Man 3’s reign at the top of the “biggest opening weekend ever” stack:
Paramount unspools “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” at 12:01 a.m. Thursday in about 2,000 locations, and industryites already are talking about a five-day haul north of $150 million. That would put “Skull” on course to best the “Spider-Man 3″ opening of $151.1 million in May 2007 — with an asterisk, given its five-day bow vs. the three-day debut for the Spidey sequel.
“Skull” represents the iconic Lucasfilm franchise’s first new installment in 19 years, and it’s expected to play in as many as 4,000 theaters by the weekend. Double and triple screenings in many venues easily will double that number, for a print run servicing upward of 8,000 screens.
Although the Reporter says reviews have been mixed so far, Metacritic is ranking it at 67 — “generally favorable reviews.” Which, quite frankly, doesn’t matter to me anyway … after watching the first three Indiana Jones films this past weekend, it would take some pretty horrible reviews to scare me away. I’ll be there for the early show tomorrow …
May 21st, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Metacritic *does* have Spider-Man 3 at a 59, so why shouldn’t Indy do better?
May 21st, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Spider-Man 3 was a much hyped movie for a series that had been met with much acclaim. I think it’s fair to say more people looked forward to SM3 than there are people looking forward to IJ&TKOTCS.
With the mixed reviews and confusing title, no way Indiana tops SM3.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
i keep imagining Cate Blanchett speaking English with a German accent in the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
May 21st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
“Which, quite frankly, doesn’t matter to me anyway … after watching the first three Indiana Jones films this past weekend, it would take some pretty horrible reviews to scare me away.”
In other words, entertainment companies can shovel you any crap and you’ll gladly pay for it because their corporate character is in it.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Uh, did you read the whole sentence you quoted? “…it would take some pretty horrible reviews.” I didn’t say I’d go see it no matter what. And based on Metacritic, I don’t have to worry about that.
In other words, you’re wrong.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:46 am
And besides, it’s hardly a case of merely having the corporate character in it. There are plenty of us who want to see this film who would be far less interested if it were starring Adam Sandler and directed by Tony Scott. So yes, my interest in seeing what these people have wrought is not going to be trumped by some reviewers’ opinions of it - particularly because reviewers’ opinions are not always fine predictors of my own.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:50 am
The most telling review I saw was from Ebert, who basically said, “it’s more of the same…isn’t it great?”
I think this will draw better than Iron Man for a week, and then sink fast. I can’t imagine that it will get repeat business since everyone will then pop their Raiders DVDs in instead.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 am
Simon may be right… Huge opening weekend, and then a pretty steep drop. I loved Ebert’s review. He probably got the movie spot on. Nothing terribly new (aside from Shia, and moving the saga into the ’50’s), just a lot of swashbuckling fun and crazy action scenes.
I’d watch Cate Blanchett read the phone book, so she’ll be a blast. Karen Allen, even nearing 60, still makes my heart throb so that’ll be great to see her again. The only thing missing is Sallah, but I’ll get over that.
Will it beat Spidey 3? Who cares, really? Expectations were high for that one, but it ended up sucking rocks. I don’t have high expectations for Indy at all, but I bet I enjoy it a helluva lot more than I did Spidey 3. It’s getting about 79% or so at Rotten Tomatoes last I checked (a few days ago), so I’m not worried about it.
If it doesn’t totally suck, I’ll probably take my dad to go see it on Father’s Day. He doesn’t go to movies much anymore, but I remember him taking me to see Raiders all those years ago when I was just a pup. Seems like a great way to spend that day.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:01 am
See it AGAIN on Father’s Day, I mean. I’m planning to see it this weekend too.
Sevedris said:
“With the mixed reviews and confusing title, no way Indiana tops SM3.”
Well, Spidey 3 had mixed reviews too. Perhaps even more negative ones than Indy 4 does.
And the title? Umm… The only part of the title anyone really cares about are the first two words: Indiana Jones. That’s all you really need to know. Sold. ‘Nuff said. Regardless of any records, it’ll do damned well this weekend.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
“Well, Spidey 3 had mixed reviews too. Perhaps even more negative ones than Indy 4 does.”
Going by rottentomatoes.com, definitely. Spidey got 68% “fresh” reviews, Indy is at 81%. Among the “top critics”, Indy is at 64%, Spidey 3 at 44%.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:02 am
Kenny is so cool.