Film News: ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ Tops Box Office

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CHICAGO – In one of the biggest surprises this summer has seen, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” led this past weekend’s box office with an impressive $54.8 million, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. The action packed primate adventure was good enough for the fifth highest August opening weekend of all time.

After much speculation and doubt that the film could be successful, the Apes received very positive reviews from critics (including a 4.5 out of 5 from HollywoodChicago.com’s very own Brian Tallerico) and a gross good enough to pass last week’s top dog — “Cowboys & Aliens.”

While the success of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is a bit of a shock, the weekend provided even more surprises on the opposite end of the spectrum. The new comedy “The Change-Up” starring Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds flopped at a miniscule $13.5 million after being made on a budget of $52 million. Perhaps the concept of changing bodies and living as someone else is officially unappealing after other films like “Freaky Friday” “The Hot Chick” “13 Going on 30” and “17 Again” have beaten that narrative to death.

In other box office news, “The Smurfs” got the best of “Cowboys & Aliens” in weekend number two for both films, finishing with $20.7 million to the western/sci-fi’s $15.7 million. This gives “The Smurfs” about $9 million more than “Cowboys & Aliens” in total gross with $75.9 million and $67.3 million respectively.

Coming in just below “The Change-Up” with $13 million in its third weekend was “Captain America: the First Avenger” followed by “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” with $12.4 million in its fourth weekend, bringing the total gross of the last Potter film to $343 million domestically and $1.133 billion worldwide.

We’ll have to wait and see if “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” can keep the hot streak alive next weekend when it competes against the new releases “30 Minutes or Less” “Final Destination 5” “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie” and “The Help.”

Top Ten:
1) “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” — $54.8 million — new
2) “The Smurfs” — $20.7 million — down 42% — $75.9 million total
3) “Cowboys & Aliens” — $15.7 million — down 57% — $67.3 million total
4) “The Change-Up” — $13.5 million — new
5) “Captain America: The First Avenger” — $13 million — down 49% — $143.2 million total
6) “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” — $12.4 million — down 43% — $343.1 million total
7) “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” — $12 million — down 37% — $42.1 million total
8) “Friends With Benefits” — $4.7 million — down 50% — $48.5 million total
9) “Horrible Bosses” — $4.6 million — down 36% — $105.1 million total
10) “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” — $3.1 million — down 49% — $344.2 million total

By TIM MARTENS
Contributing Writer
HollywoodChicago.com