The Da Vinci Code will make plenty of money this weekend. But generally movies that are this critically panned have a hard time retaining audiences after week one.
Having seen the film on Thursday with a couple of other staff members from our church (I work in our media department), I will say the Da Vinci Code is tedious and boring, and easily Ron Howard's worst film as a director... yes, even as bad as The Paper, and EdTV. The film just drags on and on (needed to be trimmed by 30 mins or so), and Tom Hanks is just horrid, he's there to pick up a paycheck... nothing more. The audience reaction was tepid at best. Some people were clamoring how great it was, but the general buzz seemed to be "too long" and "Boring."
I suspect a $60-70 million opening (not nearly as big as some industry types are predicting), but the wild card in all of this is another movie opening this weekend.... Over the Hedge.
I got to see and advanced screening this week, and boy what a GREAT family movie. Funny, cute, moves fast, and is wildly entertaining. Hammy the squirril steals every scene he's in. And I must say, the final 15 minutes of this film are probably the funniest fifteen minutes I've ever seen put to celluloid.
Over the Hedge could be huge this weekend. It's opening in more theaters and is over an hour shorter... thus more screenings this weekend. I would not be overly surprised if Over the Hedge wins the box office battle this weekend.
The tell tale sign will be Saturday's numbers. If Da Vinci's Saturday numbers barely go up, or even... gulp... go down from Friday, Hanks and company could be in for a very short ride.
Yancy
please freepmail me the final 15 minutes-- who is the last descendant?
It's also the 'Othercott' alternative to the soporific Da Vinci Code. Think I'll take my whole family this weekend.
I doubt it will make that much. I was strolling by the multiplex at the mall a couple of hours ago and noticed it was playing on as many screens as Poseidon (2 or 3 it looks like). There was nobody in line (though the day is still young).