‘Charlie’s Angels’ Beats Up the Competition

That noise you hear is the collective sigh of relief emanating from the Culver City studios of Sony Pictures Entertainment, where executives are breathing easier today after “Charlie’s Angels” ran away with the weekend box office, grossing $40.1 million.

Given the rising popularity of women’s sports, Sony believed the time had finally arrived for Americans to embrace an action film starring women--so, they rolled the dice and cast Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore (who also co-produced the movie) and Lucy Liu in the starring roles based on the popular TV series of the 1970s.

Despite a novice film director, McG, and a weak story line stitched together by 17 writers, the film had a certain charm and the three stars seemed to be having a ball making the movie, which audience immediately picked up on. Don’t be surprised if more action films featuring women in the starring roles are already on the drawing boards.

Meanwhile, the smash hit comedy “Meet the Parents” grossed $12.6 million to remain in second place in its fifth week. Debuting in third place was Robert Redford’s golf-themed fantasy-drama, “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” which took in an impressive but not overwhelming $11.5 million.

*--*

Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Charlie’s Angels” $40.1 3,037 1 (Sony/Columbia) $40.1 $13,213 2. “Meet the Parents” $12.6 2,672 5 (Universal) $116.5 $4,730 3. “Legend of Bagger Vance” $11.5 2,061 1 (DreamWorks) $11.5 $5,588 4. “Remember the Titans” $7.0 2,737 6 (Disney) $96.7 $2,543 5. “Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2” $5.0 3,320 2 (Artisan) $21.8 $1,510 6. “Bedazzled” $4.7 2,502 3 (Fox) $30.8 $1,861 7. “Pay It Forward” $4.3 2,130 3 (Warner Bros.) $25.1 $2,009 8. “The Little Vampire” $3.5 2,009 2 (New Line) $10.0 $1,745 9. “Lucky Numbers” $2.1 2,528 2 (Paramount) $7.7 $812 10.”Legend of Drunken Master” $1.6 1,183 3 (Miramax) $9.7 $1,329

*--*

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.