This Holiday weekend clearly saw a whole lot of people going to see movies, and with launches like Twilight Eclipse and the much anticipated The Last Airbender. Top that off with a strong showing from Toy Story 3 and we have a hit weekend!
Boxoffice Mojo has the estimates
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse – $69,000,000 – Opening
The Last Airbender – $40,650,000 – Opening
Toy Story 3 – $30,174,000 – 3wks
Grown Ups – $18,500,000 – 2wks
Knight & Day – $10,200,000 – 2wks
Regardless of the reviews, Twilight was going to hit the top spot without a doubt.
I didn’t get a chance to hit up The Last Airbender, but the buzz is not good.
And I had no doubt that Toy Story would still be in the top 5, but surprised after the negative buzz about Airbender that it managed to edge it out.
Grown Ups and Knight and Day make the top fringe adult selections this week for those not dragging around anklebiters who likely have seen those family friendly films already if they were going to.
What did you see on this past holiday weekend?
I of course saw Elipse, which I thought was great for what it is (I’ve read the books, but I’m not a superfan). I oohed and aahed at all the right moments. I also caught How to Train Your Dragon at a second-run theater in my area. It wasn’t in 3-D, but despite that, the animation is stellar. I highly recommend for families or anyone looking for something fun and feel-good.
Haven’t seen Airbender yet, and while I think it’s probably not fantastic, I don’t think it’s as bad as the critics say. They hate M Night — which isn’t completely unjustified — but I think they just relished the opportunity to knock him around more than he deserved. Plus, the 3-D is supposedly terrible… and if you put out a 3-D movie that’s terrible in terms of 3-D, you’re going to get slammed. Hopefully studios will learn from here on out not to graft 3-D on afterwards.
I will point out that the studios cut 25 minutes out of Airbender, from what I’ve read, which is probably why it feels rushed (from what I’ve read). I’m willing to bet the other flaws are real and all M Night’s fault, including the (mis)casting, but I still think I’ll probably see this. I did seriously love the cartoons and, now that I know to go in with low expectations, maybe it’ll be what Big Blockbusters in the summer are actually meant to be: 2 hours of fun and popcorn.
I caught Airbender on Saturday and while I wouldnt say it was great, it was ok. The movie felt a bit rushed to me, trying to cram an entire season of a beloved cartoon into a movie is really tough. I would be really interested in seeing a much longer Director’s cut which may do it some justice.
From what I understand the RT site get Airbender a scathing review which started all this negativity? I really dislike that site anyhow, all those readers should come over here and read quality reviews.
I enjoyed the last airbender, though I didn’t care much for the acting of the main character. Can’t wait for the sequel though.
I’m soory but………could you repeat that please?
i saw both airbender and eclipse and airbender was somuch better. it might not be the best movie of the summer but its def not the worst. the sequels will be better. look at harry potter, the first two movies done by the same director suckkkkkedddd, so maybe a new writer/director will do much good.