2012 ended in a non-too-pleasant way for DreamWorks, resulting in an $87 million down write-down after the disappointing box-office returns of the very good (though that's bittersweet in the end) Rise of the Guardians. As a result, the studio is facing layoffs of almost 20% of their workforce. So, it's very, very good news to see that the studio is starting off in a big way in 2013.
DreamWorks' first release of the year, caveman-comedy The Croods, is now playing worldwide, and as well as pretty favourable reviews, the Chris Sanders/Kirk DeMicco-directed flick took the number 1 spot at the North American box office this past weekend. The film took home an estimated $44.7 million domestically, as well as $62.6 million internationally, pushing its opening weekend total north of $107 million (figures via Box Office Mojo). To put that into perspective, The Croods has made as much in its opening weekend as Aardman's The Pirates! did during its entire run last year.
Nice to see DreamWorks back in their stride. I'll hopefully be checking out the film myself this weekend.
Good to see that is doing good business and it won't end being a disappointment like Guardians (I still don't understand why it failed, it was a pretty solid film). I still haven't seen it but I'm planning to do it next week. I don't have high expectations though.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it perplexed me. It wasn't particularly badly marketed (Lord knows DreamWorks put all their heft into it), it was a pretty broadly likeable premise, it had a big name voice cast, it looked pretty, and, heck, it was a DreamWorks film! Very fun film.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'm hoping to check it out on Saturday. I guess we'll all know soon enough!
To me, a "big name voice cast" doesn't mean that it'll be good. I'm not impressed with the trailers.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess everyone has their own opinion! :) Glad you like it, then...
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