A ‘Storm’-Tossed Weekend Drenches ‘Patriot’

It may not have been “The Perfect Storm” as far as the critics were concerned, but audiences thought the “son of ‘Twister’ ” marketing campaign was swell and decided to take the plunge. The salty sea saga starring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg won the Fourth of July weekend race against Mel Gibson in “The Patriot” by several knots.

“Storm” had the second-best debut of the summer behind “M:I-2,” with an ambitious estimate of $41.7 million in 3,407 theaters. Except for “Independence Day” and “Men in Black,” no film has ever debuted this well over the Fourth of July. The total catch for the first five days--through the Tuesday holiday--should be in the $60-million range, which is especially buoyant, considering that “Storm” attracted mostly adults (with a slight skew toward females).

In the weeks ahead, the downbeat ending may test “Storm’s” sea legs, but for now it’s smooth sailing.

Meanwhile, “The Patriot” was feeling the effects of the storm and review after review emphasizing its R-rated graphic violence--not to mention a built-in resistance to Revolutionary War treatments. In addition, “The Patriot” was hampered by an almost three-hour running length, giving the splashy effects-laden “Storm” a real edge. (“Storm” is only two hours and 15 minutes and has a PG-13 rating.)

Still, adults also showed up in large numbers for “The Patriot”--more than 65% of the audience was older than 25. And, according to Sony Pictures, they liked it. “It’s a very encouraging weekend for us, given the R rating, the length and the adult content,” said “Patriot” producer Dean Devlin of the $21.7-million three-day gross on 3,061 screens. That brings the first five days of “The Patriot”--which opened Wednesday, two days ahead of “Storm”--to $31 million.

If an anticipated $40 million or so through Tuesday seems underwhelming, by comparison Gibson’s equally bloody “Braveheart” only reached $75 million total, and that was with a money-generating best picture Oscar under its kilt. With little adult fare due in the next couple of weeks, “The Patriot” may have lost the first skirmish, but the war isn’t over yet.

However, the weekend’s third new arrival, “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle,” proved once and for all that the Cold War is over. Some critics were kinder than others to the mixture of live action and animation, but the debut was a very un-animated $6.6 million in 2,457 theaters. Squirrel and moose join “Titan A.E.” and “Fantasia 2000” in the annals of summer 2000 animation also-rans.

Only “Chicken Run” isn’t running afoul of audiences, hanging on in its second weekend with just a 27% drop. Now on 2,851 screens, “Chicken” roosted at an estimated $12.8 million over the weekend for a crisp 10-day total of about $41 million, which is almost what the film cost.

“Me, Myself & Irene,” starring Jim Carrey, took a nasty tumble in its second weekend, dropping 48% on 3,082 screens to $12 million and a 10-day total of close to $48 million.

But “Big Momma’s House” continues to wail its way toward $100 million, collecting an anticipated $5.5 million in its fifth weekend in 2,413 theaters and just under $95 million to date.

“Storm” and “Patriot” expanded the Fourth of July audience base, proving that adults are as available in summer as kids. The two films accounted for more than $63 million in admissions, more than half the total for the top 12 films currently playing. The effect was to stave off the box-office erosion level of the past couple of weeks.

According to box-office tracking firm Exhibitor Relations, the leading dozen films currently playing in theaters grossed an estimated $122 million, versus $116 million last year. And with two more days of prime holiday playing time, the Fourth of July should be a cause for temporary celebration at least.

The other action films playing were swallowed up by the “Storm”/”Patriot” combo.

“Shaft” decreased by almost half to a still good $6.45 million in 2,433 theaters and has now taken in a hefty $53 million in its first three weeks.

“Gone in 60 Seconds” came in eighth with about $5 million in 2,651 theaters and a monthlong haul of almost $79 million.

“M:I-2” should reach $200 million sometime during the week, as it added $4.75 million in its sixth weekend, on 2,667 screens, and has pulled in $197 million to date. “Gladiator” is putting the finishing touches on its successful run with $2.4 million in weekend No. 9, on 1,411 screens, and has accumulated an impressive total of about $170 million.

And there was enough room left over for the Hungarian epic “Sunshine” to gross $285,000 on just 76 screens, taking the film over the $1-million level.