The big counterprogramming release is romantic comedy “What Happens in Vegas,” which is looking to attract auds not turned on by cars and comicbook superheroes.

In Italy, "Speed Racer" is the biggest opener, blasting out on 420 via Warner Bros. with a pretty clear track.

Boosted by massive marketing, the Wachowski brothers' latest is likely to burn rubber on the Italo circuit, despite critical drubbings. "You would expect more from the guys who brought us 'Matrix'," lamented La Repubblica.

Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher romancer "What Happens in Vegas" is Italy's second-largest opener, out on 299 via Fox and expected to do decent biz since Diaz is a draw and the comic/sentimental combo usually clicks with Italo auds.

Boxing biopic "Carnera — The Walking Mountain" is being outed by Medusa on 250 amid some doubts, though tale of this legendary Italo pugilist does have pull with Italy's older male demographic.

In the arthouse arena, BIM is unleashing Sergei Bodrov's Genghis Khan biopic "Mongol," while Gallic helmer Emmanuel Mouret's romancer "Shall We Kiss," toplining Italo star Stefano Accorsi, is going out on 40 via Officine Ubu.

In Germany, "Speed Racer" takes on "Iron Man," although both look to be no match for the warm and sunny spring weather, which is sure to keep the beer gardens crowded and the cinemas empty.

While "Speed Racer" has gotten plenty of press here due to the fact that it was shot entirely at Studio Babelsberg, outside of Berlin, not to mention a glitzy star-studded premiere in the capital last week, local exhibs say the movie has limited appeal.

"The animated series is not well known here, so there is no nostalgic factor to speak of," said one booker. Pic also failed to impress local critics. Munich broadsheet Abendzeitung wrote: "While the Wachowskis’ candy-colored, computer-generated world provides some visual 'wow' experiences, the story disappoints with cliches, infantile dialogue and endless, hectically edited racing sequences."

As elsewhere in Europe, Fox is using the "Speed Racer" vs. "Iron Man" contest to roll out "What Happens in Vegas" in the hopes of attracting female moviegoers looking for something other than the butch comicbook fare.

Other distribs are following suit by counter programming with a slew of arthouse and family titles. Florian M. Boeder's comedy-drama "Nichts geht mehr," about the escapades of two brothers whose anarchist pranks attract the attention of police and praise from leftist protest movement, goes out via Alpha Medienkontor, which also releases Danielle Proskar's Austrian family film "Karo und der liebe Gott," about an eight-year-old girl and the bedraggled old man who helps her come to terms with her parents' separation.

Novapool Pictures/24 Bilder releases Andreas Kleinert's psychological thriller "Der Freischwimmer," while Copex/Barnsteiner rolls out Francesco Lucente's "Badland," about a troubled Iraq war vet on the run.

Also hitting theaters are Kinowelt's "Ben X," about an autistic teen who finds escape in the fantasy world of a video game; Spanish horror film “[REC],” which goes out via 3L; Concorde's dysfunctional family drama "Savage Grace"; and, from MFA/24 Bilder, Scandinavian tyke pic "Trigger," about a young girl's attempt to save a horse.

Opener "Speed Racer" clashes with "Iron Man" in its soph sesh in Spain as well.

"Racer" bows on 430 via Warner. "Pic is allegedly conceived for family auds, but it's really targeted at teens. So it will go face to face with 'Iron Man,'" said a booker.

Notices have been downbeat. "A febrile spectacle ... The result's technically impeccable, but devastatingly sad," newspaper El Pais said.

Fox releases "What Happens in Vegas" on a wide 401. Crix were tepid but underlined the appeal of the Diaz-Kutcher chemistry.

Local comedy "Casual Day" opens on a generous 120 via BVI. Helmed by debber Max Lemcke, "Day" turns on the tense power relationships emerging over a company weekend away. "You have to abandon yourself to the pleasure of its black laughs and deep reflection," said ABC. "A stimulating opera prima," wrote monthly Fotogramas.

In the U.K., Warner Bros drives “Speed Racer” into multiplexes, sweating over whether sunny weather will melt its opening frame. Fact that “Iron Man” shrugged off nice weather last weekend should encourage WB brass. Bookers expect “Speed Racer” to take $3 million, not enough to dislodge “Iron Man” from top spot.

“Speed Racer” has received mostly poor reviews from the British crix. “This movie has all the soul and about half the intelligence of an eight-year-old boy in a sugar rush,” sniped Christopher Tookey. But there are some admirers. “It’s furious pace and movement make Road Runner seem narcoleptic,” praised Dave Calhoun in TimeOut.

Fox out romantic comedy “What Happens in Vegas” as counterprogramming to male-skewed “Speed Racer” and “Iron Man.” Exhibs forecast a decent opening, making it the third biggest weekend grosser behind “Iron Man” and “Speed Racer”

Local helmer Neil Marshall’s Scottish-set scarer “Doomsday” bows amid little hype. The latest offering from the director of acclaimed horrors "Dog Soldiers" and "The Descent" has not excited local crix. “Unable to offer up anything more than pale imitation and jumble sale thrills,” wrote Phelim O’Neil in the Guardian. Bookers predict an opening of no more than $1 million.

Morgan Spurlock has been in Blighty this week busily tub thumping for Optimum Releasing’s “Where in the World is Osama bin Laden?” but pic has not excited crix. “Socio-politics for dummies,” was the verdict from Wendy Ide in the Times. Optimum sends the pic out on a modest 38 screens.

Additional reporting by Ed Meza (Germany), Nick Vivarelli (Italy) and Emilio Mayorga (Spain).