The film, its release delayed a year by the Covid-19 pandemic, is a light-hearted yarn starring Ryan Reynolds as an Everyman bank teller who finds – not unlike Jim Carrey’s character in “The Truman Show” – that he is a character in a huge video game and must save his friends from being deleted.
Family-friendly “Free Guy” was slightly off from its $28 million opening weekend, but analysts said its result was impressive with Covid-19 still hanging over the industry and Tropical Storm Henri deterring moviegoers in the US Northeast. It has a healthy global take so far of $112 million.
In second position, earning US$13 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, was new Paramount release “Paw Patrol: The Movie.” That was a respectable total, said Variety.com, for a film aimed at young kids – who remain ineligible for Covid vaccines.
“Paw Patrol” tells the story of a boy named Ryder and the brave pups who help him save Adventure City from a colossally evil mayor.
Third spot went to Disney’s family adventure film “Jungle Cruise,” at US$6.2 million. Its plot – well, suffice it to say it is based on a theme-park ride.
Horror feature “Don’t Breathe 2,” from Sony, followed with a US$5.1 million take in its second weekend.
Starring Stephen Lang – who has what website Rotten Tomatoes calls a “thrillingly imposing presence” – it revolves around a game of mass murder perpetuated by a blind veteran.
And in fifth place was United Artists’ biopic “Respect,” at US$3.8 million. Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson stars as queen of soul Aretha Franklin – who reportedly picked Hudson for the role.
The Washington Post calls her portrayal a “kind of creative – even spiritual – mind-meld that sends a chill down the spine and a catch to the throat.”
Rounding out the top 10 were:
- “The Suicide Squad” (US$3.4 million)
- “The Protégé” (US$2.9 million)
- “The Night House” (US$2.9 million)
- “Reminiscence” (US$2 million)
- “Black Widow” (US$1.2 million)