'Harbor' in B.O. battle for Europe
Gaul, Oz, auds sinking pic's B.O.
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"Pearl Harbor" is fast losing altitude in France and Australia but managing to stay aloft in many other markets. Distribbed by Buena Vista Intl., pic has amassed $20.5 million from 4,610 engagements in 24 territories, hoisting cume to $73.5 million just 18 days into its overseas mission.
In its soph sessions, "Pearl" held well in Germany (scoring $14.1 million in 11 days, off 21%) but it's sagging in France (a soft $6 million in 12 days, down 35%) and Australia ($5.4 million in 11 days, plunging 41%), although it's still No. 1 in both.
"Pearl Harbor" reviews were no kinder in Italy than anywhere else.
Leading daily La Repubblica called it a film produced rather than directed, comparing it unfavorably to the anti-military take of "From Here to Eternity" and criticizing the ceaseless gung-ho flag-waving and politically correct depictions of noble Japanese soldiers.
" 'Pearl Harbor' will be one of the biggest pics this year, but not an epoch-marking phenomenon," opined one of Spain's leading exhibs. "Pearl" opens July 6 in the territory, going out on 282 prints.
Exhibs polled by Daily Variety put expected total gross in Spain at 2 billion-2.5 billion pesetas ($10.3 million-$12.9 million). That would probably make it the highest-grossing U.S. pic to date this year, but only by a whisker or two.
Michael Bay's WWII epic rang up $2.5 million on a record 604 prints in Mexico, the industry's fifth highest live action entry behind "The Mummy Returns," "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," "Mission: Impossible 2" and "Godzilla."
Pic opened strongly but didn't rank among the top 10 all-time debutantes in Argentina, mustering $870,000 from 125. That was the market's second biggest bow this year after "Hannibal," but 15% below the helmer's "Armageddon."
"Pearl" is a standout in Korea, dipping by 30% in its third weekend for $8 million to date -- 85% of "Armageddon's" entire earnings in that territory.
The remaining critical market for "Pearl Harbor" is Japan, typically the No. 1 foreign market for American movies. Pic opens there July 14 on 400 screens.
'Mummy' unwrapped in Asia
Elsewhere, "The Mummy Returns" notched record-shattering bows in South Korea and Taiwan, while "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" and "Swordfish" had dashing offshore launches at the weekend.
"The Mummy Returns" unearthed $15.9 million from 3,688 engagements in 29 countries; cume soared to $149.1 million. Universal/UIP's release set industry records in Korea with $2.4 million in two days on 75 (beating the previous highs by "Pearl Harbor" and Korean click "Friend") and Taiwan at $2.4 million in two days on 52, including sneaks (unseating prior champ "The Lost World: Jurassic Park").
The action-adventure stole $1.8 million in four days on 35 in Hong Kong, the second biggest debut there behind "The Lost World."
Simon West's "Tomb Raider" stormed Singapore with $575,000 in three days on 28, including previews, a local record for a Paramount title and 6% better than "M:I 2." "Swordfish" seized pole position in Malaysia, hooking $188,854 on 35, including previews.
"Shrek" ventured into Italy, its second market, drawing a solid but not stellar $1 million in three days on 319, ranked No. 1 in trading subdued by hot weather and a championship soccer final Sunday in Rome, which was the scene of a monster party that night, making it a virtual no-go zone for cinemas. But the animated fairy tale was lauded by Italo critics, and tradesters expect it will build into a steady performer through the summer. "Shrek" fell by 46% after a strong first week in Singapore, a notoriously fast-burn territory, devouring $771,000 in 11 days.
Congenial alternative
Cume of "Miss Congeniality" topped $98 million, helped by Japan's respectable $3 million in nine days (abating by 27%). The Sandra Bullock starrer at least provides an alternative to those not transfixed by "The Mummy Returns," which has racked up a socko $13.7 million in Japan in the same frame, off 37%.
"Bridget Jones's Diary" eased by 22% in Spain, retaining the top spot, penning $3 million in 10 days. Still earning decent money after banking $54.8 million through its 10th weekend in the U.K., romantic comedy has fetched a sparkling $1.1 million in 10 days in Poland and $1 million in 11 days in Holland.
In Mexico, local erotic drama "Y Tu Mama Tambien" ("And Your Mother Too"), distribbed by Fox, dropped by just 16%, raking in a hot $3.3 million in 10 days.
