'Ice' freezes 'Transformers'

Fox film grosses $14 mil on its opening day

By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

In a stellar opening, 20th Century Fox's 3-D toon "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" grossed $14 million as it opened Wednesday in 3,993 theaters at the domestic B.O., according to early estimates.

"Dawn of the Dinosaurs" stomped past Paramount's monster performer "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" for the day, although "Transformers 2" still turned in an impressive performance in its 8th day in release.

Early estimates showed "Transformers 2" grossing $10 million for a domestic cume of nearly $240 million.

Universal's Johnny Depp topliner "Public Enemies" also got off to a promising start as it unspooled Wednesday. The period gangster pic, directed by Michael Mann, grossed north of $8 million, according to early estimates.

"Dawn of the Dinosaurs" and "Public Enemies" opened mid-week in order to get a jump on the long July 4th holiday weekend.

Box office observers still won't call the weekend race, saying it could be either "Transformers 2" or "Ice Age 3."

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