‘Brotherhood of Blades II’ draws first blood
BEIJING: Brotherhood of Blades II has drawn first blood at the China box office with total earnings of 104 million yuan ( RM66.6 million) over its first three days of screening.
But analysts have noted that while the weekend’s top three spots went to China-made films, none were able to break out in terms of audience reception and will likely fade quickly from the box office charts.
Brotherhood is the sequel to the 2014 blockbuster and stars Chang Chen and Yang Mi.
The sequel (technically a prequel) places the heroes back into a conflict-ridden Ming Dynasty. The original had racked up a number of Golden Horse Award nominations and won Best Costume Design and this follow-up brings the same sense of flair.
Director Lu Yang had disclosed that the new movie’s costumes and weapon props are still based on the real objects in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
He added that the blade props used by actors are inspired by the swords forged for the
Director Lu Yang had disclosed that the new movie’s costumes and weapon props are still based on the real objects in the Ming Dynasty. He added that the blade props used by actors are inspired by the swords forged for the legendary troops led by Ming court general Qi Jiguang.
legendary troops led by Ming court general Qi Jiguang.
Award-winning actor Chang said the new script is a deeper exploration of humanity, and will relive the turbulence of royal conspiracies.
At the box office, China’s biggest summer hit thus far, Wu Kong starring Eddie Peng as the legendary Sun Wukong, lost 70 per cent of its opening weekend’s business to earn 80 million yuan ( RM51.2 million) over the weekend. Wu Kong‘s 10day total is now 587 million yuan ( RM373.7 million).
But it is clear that China-made movies are not exactly bringing in the crowds government regulators had hoped for during the annual summer blackout period.
In the surest sign yet that Chinese audiences are tiring of stale domestic films, the past weekend’s highest per screening attendance belonged to Universal’s Despicable Me 3 on its third weekend in cinemas despite a slew of new domestic summer releases.
The animated sequel from Illumination Entertainment fell just 56 per cent from last weekend to take fourth place with 62 million yuan.
In third place, local comedy Father and Son starring funnyman Da Peng crashed and burned upon arrival, debuting with just 73 million yuan.
The China box office looks to rebound next weekend with the highly- awaited release of action film Wolf Warriors 2, director Wu Jing’s sequel to his surprise box office hit from 2015.