TOP 10 FILMS AT THE BOX OFFICE
When Disney takes one of its classic animated adventures and creates a modern, liveaction version, the result is usually box-office gold. With “The Jungle Book,” the trend continues.
Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”) and featuring a cast of celebrity voices that includes Bill Murray, Idris Elba and Lupita Nyong’o, the film grossed an estimated $103.3 million in the U.S. and Canada on its opening weekend, shattering the highest analyst projections of $80 million, as well as the studio’s more modest estimates of just $65 million. It’s the secondlargest April opening in history, behind last year’s “Furious 7,” and the highest April opening for a PG-rated release, above 2011’s “Hop.”
But “The Jungle Book,” based on both Rudyard Kipling’s 19th-century collection of stories and Disney’s swinging animated musical from 1967, didn’t come cheap, costing an estimated $175 million to produce.
In addition to the Disney formula, the movie benefited from overwhelmingly positive reviews. It received a 95 percent positive rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics, which was on par with the A grade the film received from audiences, according to polling firm Cinema Score.
1. THE JUNGLE BOOK, ★★★★
Disney’s live-action retelling of its 1967 animated hit proves that dated material can be made relevant again, if you find a filmmaker with something new to say. It’s a vibrant, notably intense and powerful family movie. Seamless CGI work blends with excellent voice acting to create memorable characters. Jon Favreau runs the show and cements himself further as an elite, mainstream director. (PG) 105 minutes — Peter Hartlaub $103.3 million; 1 week
2. BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT, ★★★
This comedy finds a tone that allows for the possibility of tragedy, which is appropriate for this story of a fun neighborhood spot that happens to be in midst of a horrible crime wave. The movie features strong performances from Ice Cube and Regina Hall as the barbershop’s owners and a funny reprise of Eddie, the ancient, opinionated barber played by Cedric the Entertainer. (PG-13) 112 minutes — Mick LaSalle $20 million; 1 week
3. THE BOSS, ★★★
It has its fair share of laughs and is a serviceable star vehicle for Melissa McCarthy, but the comedy about a mogul’s comeback from prison is uneven and leaves the supporting cast with little to work with. (R) 99 minutes — David Lewis $10 million; $40 million; 2 weeks
4. BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, ★★
An insanely long and convoluted superhero movie, this one is made yet worse by an air of importance, as though a great work of art were taking place. — M.L. $9 million; $311.3 million; 4 weeks
5. ZOOTOPIA, ★★★★
The world-building is fantastic is this animated detective story/comedy about an animal world where predator and prey are friends. As a cop bunny and con-artist fox (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman) investigate a crime, the film comfortably confronts intolerance and discrimination. (PG) 108 minutes — P.H. $8.1 million; $307.4 million; 7 weeks
6. CRIMINAL, ★★★★
Kevin Costner is a ruthless criminal into whose mind is implanted the memories of a dead CIA agent in order to prevent terrorists from taking over the American nuclear codes. This is a smart, entertaining thriller with big-scale performances from Costner and Gary Oldman, as the panicky CIA boss. (R) 113 minutes — M.L. $5.8 million; 1 week
7. MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2, ★½
Supposedly a comedy, this sequel to the charming 2002 original has many attempts at humor but about three decent laughs in 94 minutes. Otherwise, this is a tiresome and annoying effort that tries to sell the audience on the joys of a large, pushy family but instead does the opposite. (PG-13) 94 minutes — M.L. $3.2 million; $52 million; 4 weeks
8. MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, ★★★
Anna Beam (Kylie Rogers) lives with a rare, incurable disorder that leaves her unable to digest food. Despite the dire diagnosis, devoted mom Christy (Jennifer Garner) relentlessly searches for a way to save her daughter. (PG) 109 minutes — Tribune Media Source $1.9 million; $57 million; 5 weeks
9. GOD’S NOT DEAD 2, (not reviewed)
High school history teacher Grace Wesley (Melissa Joan Hart) tests the court system and her faith after she answers a student’s question about Jesus. (PG) 121 minutes — M.L. $1.7 million; $17 million; 3 weeks
10. EYE IN THE SKY, ★★★★
Complications arise when a lieutenant general (Alan Rickman) and a colonel (Helen Mirren) order a drone missile strike to take out a group of terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya. (R) 102 minutes — Tribune Media Source $1.6 million; $13.1 million; 6 weeks