Analyst David A. Gross called it “a superb opening,” noting that each Wick sequel has managed to outdo its predecessors.
Reviews have been mostly positive: “Would that all action films were so well and cleanly choreographed,” the Washington Post gushed; but some reviewers saw the body count – more than 100 per bloody Wick movie – as a bit much.
“Chapter 4” owes its choreography largely to director Chad Stahelski, himself a former stuntman. Starring along with Reeves, in a tale that has the titular hitman fighting a powerful international crime group – are Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgard and Laurence Fishburne.
Last weekend’s box office leader, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” took in just US$9.7 million, slipping to second place, in what Variety called “one of the worst turnouts for a modern superhero movie.” The DC/Warner Bros film stars Zachary Levi, Asher Angel and Adam Brody.
In third spot was “Scream VI” from Paramount and Spyglass Media, at US$8.4 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period. Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega and Skeet Ulrich star in the horror flick.
In fourth was yet another sequel, United Artists’ boxing drama “Creed III,” at US$8.37 million. Michael B Jordan directs and plays the title character; his co-star Jonathan Majors was arrested Saturday for allegedly assaulting a woman in a domestic dispute.
And in fifth, down one spot from last weekend, was sci-fi thriller “65” from Sony and Columbia Pictures, at US$3.3 million. Adam Driver stars in a time-travel saga that juxtaposes spaceships and dinosaurs.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
- “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (US$2.4 million)
- “Cocaine Bear” (US$2.1 million)
- “Jesus Revolution” (US$2 million)
- “Champions” (US$1.5 million)
- “Avatar: The Way of Water” (US$1.4 million)