Pamela McClintock of Variety:
DreamWorks Animation and Paramount open "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" in theaters today in what’s expected to be a strong start to the holiday season.
Toon, which bows in 4,056 runs, should score the best opening since summer. A pair of comedies also open nationwide: Universal’s R-rated "Role Models," from writer-director David Wain, and MGM/Dimension’s "Soul Men," starring Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac. "Role Models" opens in 2,791 runs; "Soul Men," 2,044.
On the specialty side, Miramax opens Holocaust drama "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," based on John Boyne’s book, in 17 theaters in eight markets. Pic has done well in some international territories, led by Israel and Spain, but it could be a tougher sell in North America. Foreign cume is $18.8 million.
In marketing "Striped Pajamas," Miramax has targeted faith-based groups and Jewish orgs, both for the film’s uplifting storyline and historical references.
Also opening in limited runs is Darren Lynn Bousman’s Paris Hilton-Paul Sorvino starrer "Repo! The Genetic Opera," which Lionsgate takes out in eight theaters.
Most of the attention, however, will go to "Escape 2 Africa," which many predict will open between $50 million and $60 million, although Par noted that two recent kidpics, "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "Horton Hears a Who" opened to $44 million and $45 million, respectively.
The first "Madagascar" opened to $47.2 million over Memorial Day weekend in 2005 on its way to cuming $193.6 million domestically and $339 million overseas. "Escape 2 Africa" got off to a stellar start at the international box office last weekend when debuting in Russia and Ukraine.
Studio distributors expect the domestic box office to be especially strong over the next few frames. Next weekend, Sony and MGM open James Bond installment "Quantum of Solace." On Nov. 21, Disney opens family pic "Bolt," while Summit Entertainment goes out with "Twilight." A pack of films opens over the long Thanksgiving weekend, including 20th Century Fox’s epic "Australia."
This weekend, "Role Models" is the favored No. 2 film. Raunchy comedy will likely dampen traffic for the Weinstein Co.’s R-rated comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," which heads into its second sesh. Last weekend "Zack and Miri" opened to $10 million, a gross "Role Models" is expected to match.
How well "Soul Men" performs depends upon whether it crosses over beyond African-American auds. Comedy is one of Mac’s final film projects. Mac also has one of the voice roles in "Escape 2 Africa." "Soul Men" and "Role Models" could end up in a close race ...
Joshua Rich of EW thinks:
Animated sequel is a shoo-in for a box office win, but, opposite ''Role Models'' and ''Soul Men,'' how big will it be?
Reviews for Madagascar 2 and Role Models are surprisingly strong but cuddly animals always have the edge...
Next Week James Bond's latest and .shortest film in the series--Quantum Of Solace (coming in at 106 minutes just ahead of 1962's Dr. No ) arrives in the states... along with the theatrical trailer for a certain sci-fi reboot...!!
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