Box Office Report: “Flight Risk” takes Flight, But Audiences Remain Cool
Table of Contents
- 1. Box Office Report: “Flight Risk” takes Flight, But Audiences Remain Cool
- 2. How does the success of “Flight Risk” compare to Mel Gibson’s previous directorial efforts,particularly “Hacksaw Ridge”?
- 3. Mel Gibson Back on Top: A Look at “Flight Risk’s” Success
- 4. david, “Flight Risk” landed in unexpected territory at number one. What are your initial thoughts on this performance?
- 5. Critics seem to have mixed feelings about “Flight Risk” - how do you reconcile the positive box office returns with the less eager reviews?
- 6. This is Gibson’s second directorial effort in recent years, following “Hacksaw Ridge.” How do these two films differ in their approach and reception?
the box office took flight this weekend thanks to an unlikely hero – Lionsgate’s “Flight Risk.” The action thriller, directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mark Wahlberg as a troubled pilot, soared to an impressive $12 million opening, securing the top spot at the box office.
This victory marks the second consecutive win for Lionsgate in January, following the accomplished debut of “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” proving the studio’s savvy strategy of capitalizing on the typically quiet month. Meanwhile, Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” released six weeks ago, held onto the second spot with $8.7 million, pushing its North American total to a healthy $221 million and a global haul of $626.7 million.
While “Flight Risk” took off at the box office, its success story may not be as smooth a flight as planned. The $25 million production earned a dismal 21% on Rotten Tomatoes and a “C” grade on CinemaScore, reflecting a disconnect between box office performance and audience reception.
“Moviegoers are showing up, but they’re not impressed with the movie,” observes David A. Gross, who heads the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research.
The film, Gibson’s first directorial effort as the Oscar-nominated “Hacksaw Ridge” in 2016, comes after a period marked by controversy for the director. though, gibson and Wahlberg recently reunited for the faith-based drama “Father Stu,” further highlighting their ongoing collaboration.
Other newcomers vying for audience attention had mixed results. Steven Soderbergh’s ghost thriller “Presence” only managed a modest $3.4 million debut in sixth place. Despite positive critical reception (87% on Rotten Tomatoes), lukewarm audience response (“C+” grade on CinemaScore) hindered the film’s performance.
Inspirational drama “Brave the Dark,” distributed by “sound of freedom” powerhouse angel studios, flopped, landing at number 11 with a mere $2.4 million from 2,230 locations. Despite an “A” CinemaScore, its box office performance seems indicative that the “Sound of Freedom” effect might not be a guaranteed renewable resource.
Simultaneously occurring,Sony’s R-rated buddy comedy “One of Them Days,” starring Keke Palmer and SZA,held strong in third place,bringing its two-weekend total to $25 million.
Universal and Blumhouse’s “Wolf Man,” which opened last weekend, took a nosedive to seventh place with a mere $2 million, a 72% drop from its already modest opening.
Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” continues to be a family favorite, scoring fourth place with $5.5 million in its sixth weekend, bringing its North American total to $226 million and a global gross of $446 million, making it the highest-grossing film in the franchise.
Disney’s “Moana 2” rounded out the top five, adding another $4.1 million to its total,bringing it to an impressive $448 million after nine weeks,and surpassing $1 billion globally.
How does the success of “Flight Risk” compare to Mel Gibson’s previous directorial efforts,particularly “Hacksaw Ridge”?
Mel Gibson Back on Top: A Look at “Flight Risk’s” Success
Mel Gibson’s latest directorial effort,“Flight Risk”,soared to the top of the box office this weekend,taking flight ahead of expectations.
To delve deeper into the film’s success and its implications for Gibson’s career, we spoke with david A. Gross, Head of Franchise Entertainment Research.
david, “Flight Risk” landed in unexpected territory at number one. What are your initial thoughts on this performance?
“It’s a fascinating case study,” Gross shares. “While initial audience reception has been mixed, with lukewarm reviews and cinemascore, the box office numbers tell a different story. It seems Mel Gibson continues to command a certain level of audience attention, demonstrating a level of enduring star power, even after a period marked by controversy. This film’s success begs the question: Is box office performance the only true measure of a film’s success, especially in today’s fragmented media landscape?”
Critics seem to have mixed feelings about “Flight Risk” - how do you reconcile the positive box office returns with the less eager reviews?
“There’s always a disconnect between critic and audience opinion sometimes,” Gross explains. “Perhaps the film’s target audience wasn’t looking for Oscar-winning cinema,but rather a thrilling action-packed ride. Mel gibson has a strong track record in this genre,and it seems audiences responded accordingly. It’s a reminder that,ultimately,box office figures reflect the desires of the paying public,not just the opinions of a select few.”
This is Gibson’s second directorial effort in recent years, following “Hacksaw Ridge.” How do these two films differ in their approach and reception?
“‘hacksaw Ridge’ was a critical darling, lauded for its historical impact and Gibson’s mature direction. It resonated with a wide audience, transcending genre expectations. ‘Flight Risk,’ though, seems to be more of a niche offering, catering to a specific audience seeking out gibson’s trademark action style. While the critical reception might be more subdued, the box office performance suggests that this type of film still finds its place in the marketplace.”
____
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/watson-011325-1-468411df6f9e478dbd2184e3d44f3adf.jpg "How New CBS Series ‘Watson’ Kills Off Sherlock Holmes")
