Comedy won out over killing machines at the holiday box office as Terminator Salvation's Memorial Day weekend crown was swiped by the more family-friendly laugher Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.
See also:
Review: Loud Terminator Salvation Makes for Grim Spectacle
Terminator Versus … What?! Strangest Skynet Spinoffs
Not even a leaked rant from Terminator superstar Christian Bale or director McG's brazen promise to "knock your fuckin' balls up your ass" was enough to topple Ben Stiller and his supporting cast of historical characters from stealing the hearts and minds of U.S. moviegoers.
Battle of the Smithsonian pulled in a cool $70 million over the holiday weekend, while playing on over 500 more screens than Terminator Salvation, which posted a respectable but nevertheless disappointing $53.8 million.
Maybe it's a sci-fi hangover from too much Star Trek and Watchmen hype, but comedy has won the day. You can probably take your balls out of your ass now.
It seems safe to say that Salvation, which cost $200 million to make and pulled in fewer viewers than its terrible predecessor Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, could be in trouble. Throw in the expected cancellation of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and the murderous machine franchise could be sucking wind all year as it tries to catch up to J.J. Abrams' more accessible reboot of Star Trek.
So let the armchair quarterbacking begin. Did the extra screens pay off for Smithsonian? Will Salvation catch heat after its international opening next month to rule the summer? Lock and load in the comments section below.
See also:
- Terminator Blowback/Giveaway: Judgment Day for Salvation
- Review: Loud Terminator Salvation Makes for Grim Spectacle
- Exclusive Images Reveal McG's Terminator Salvation Vision
- Terminator Salvation's Not for Wussies, Sam Worthington Says
- Terminator Versus … What?! Strangest Skynet Spinoffs
- Report: Sarah Connor Terminated, Dollhouse Dodges Bullet
