'60' speeds by 'Storm' preem in Oz
'Gladiator' still the one to beat
"Perfect Storm" notched up a perfectly good $1.4 million in four days at 257 ports Down Under -- Warner Bros.' seventh-highest bow in that territory.
But few expected "60 Seconds" to take the frame's honors in such emphatic fashion, as it nabbed $2.1 million on 220 -- 10% better than "Armageddon's" entry and the second-highest opener this year behind "Gladiator."
It turns out that teenagers -- plenty of whom are looking for things to do during the school vacation -- made a beeline for the Nicolas Cage actioner, while older auds were drawn to Wolfgang Petersen's epic. The Jerry Bruckheimer production had the jump on "Storm" in Victoria, where schools closed a week earlier than in other states. Pic bowed June 26 and took $362,000 before the national launch.
Caper pic car-jacked $855,000 on 78 in Singapore (the third-best opener this year after "Toy Story 2" and "Gladiator," capturing 50% of the top 10 pics' receipts) and a solid $820,000 on 71 in South Korea.
"Chicken Run" conquered the U.K., collecting a socko $5.6 million in three days on 452. But the Brits were not much enthused by "Three to Tango," which stepped out with $687,000 on 255, while "Big Momma's House" tumbled by 30% for a so-so $2.5 million in 10 days.
'Dino' wows Brazil
Brazilians went nuts for "Dinosaur," ringing up $1.6 million on 320 -- an all-time toon record, beating "Tarzan" by 50%. Disney's pic scored an encouraging $124,000 on 16 in Israel (where it's set to expand to 30 engagements), and through its third lap in Oz, it's made a sturdy $3.7 million.
"Shanghai Noon" blitzed the Philippines, collaring $538,000 on 71, nearly doubling the debut of "Rush Hour."
The indefatigable "Gladiator" reigned as the weekend's top earner, minting $8.3 million in 26 territories as cume soared to $174.8 million.
The Russell Crowe starrer abated by just 8% in France, amassing $8.3 million in 13 days, and by an acceptable 30% in Belgium for $1.3 million in 12 days. South Korea has generated a terrif $9.1 million in 30 days.
"Mission: Impossible 2" pocketed $5.2 million in 12 countries, highlighted by South Africa's $519,000 in three days on 82, an all-time industry high. Cume is $51.2 million, led by Australia's $11.4 million after its fifth outing, Korea's $8.9 million in 16 days, Taiwan's $6.2 million in ditto and Argentina's $4.1 million in 18 days.
The frame had its share of misfires. "The Road to El Dorado" tanked in Taiwan, New Zealand and the Philippines after flunking its first foreign try-out in Singapore.
"The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" fetched a blah $131,000 on 65 in Argentina after corpsing in German-speaking territories, although it saw a lively soph session in Oz, taking $1 million to date.
'Irene' lean
Lousy word of mouth sent "Me, Myself & Irene" into a 43% decline after an underwhelming first week in Australia, tallying a disappointing $1.9 million.
Some figures are estimates due to the Independence Day holiday in the U.S. In depressed trading in Germany, "Scream 3" retained pole position in its second weekend, despite a 51% plunge, mustering about $6.7 million thus far.
Three Miramax freshmen figured in the top 10 in Japan, but none was a standout. "Reindeer Games" took second spot behind "Gladiator" in its third round. 'Reindeer" raked in a fair $370,000 in two days on 26 in the nine key cities (nationwide figures were not available), "The Cider House Rules" chipped in with $292,000 on 17, and "She's All That" did $176,000 on 19.
