Planes: Fire & Rescue
Equally enjoyable for adults as it is for kids, Planes: Fire & Rescue was the top
earner at the local box office in its first week of release – proving that sequels can
match if not better their originals. Directed by animation heavyweight Roberts
Gannaway, Disney’s new comedy-adventure presents viewers with more jokes,
more action sequences and even better animation. Played at 103 cinemas locally,
the film brought in R2 445 931 in its debut weekend.
The Equalizer
Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua of Training Day reunite for this
action packed film based on the 1980s television series of the same name. Sniping
the top spot at the US box office in its opening weekend with US$35 million in
earnings, The Equalizer features Washington as a former commando who finds
himself in a battle with the Russian mafia. Nationally the film came in at number
two in its opening weekend, grossing R1 956 534 with 72 prints.
The Maze Runner
Based on the first book in the science fiction trilogy by James Dashner, The Maze
Runner stars Dylan O’Brien – of MTV Teen Wolf fame – as one of a group of boys
living in isolation, trapped by an enormous, moving concrete maze. On home soil,
the post-apocalyptic science-fiction flick accumulated R1 689 117 on the weekend of
its release, cementing its place in the national top three. Film critics have high
hopes for the picture which is distributed by 20th Century Fox, with part II of the
trilogy already in production.
Lucy
In its fifth week at SA cinemas, this science-fiction/action film starring Scarlett
Johansson and Morgan Freeman garnered R1 016 046, bringing total local gross
earnings to R12 655 708. Directed, written and edited by French director Luc Besson
and distributed by United International Pictures, Lucy received positive critical
reviews internationally for its intriguing themes and visuals, with Johansson also
winning praise for her performance.
If I Stay
Based on the novel of the same name by Gayle Forman, If I Stay is a romantic
drama directed by R. J. Cutler. Starring Chloe Grace Moretz, the film earned R387
711 at the local box office in its second week since its release, a 25% decrease in
earnings on opening weekend. If I Stay received mixed reviews both locally and
internationally, with cumulative local box office earnings sitting at R1 314 194.
Let’s Be Cops
The comedy Lets Be Cops, distributed locally by Times Media Group, drops three
spots to number seven in its third week at South African cinemas. The film stars
Damon Wayans Jr. and Jake Johnson, and earned R1 948 036 in the three weeks
since its nation-wide release.
