SALT LAKE CITY, Sept 23, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Two major releases are in theaters, the first being “Storks,” the animated film from Warner Bros. Animation, and the second a remake of “The Magnificent Seven,” starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt.
Industry experts have “The Magnificent Seven” leading the weekend with an estimated $44 million debut. The estimate may be a bit low, as the film could hit a bit higher considering the film’s PG-13 rating.
“Storks” is the second film from Warner Bros. Animation. The animation department’s first film was “The Lego Movie,” in 2014. “Storks” is primed to land in second place with an estimated take of just over $30 million for its first weekend in release.
Here’s what Box Office Mojo is forecasting for the top 10 films this weekend:
The Magnificent Seven – $44.5 M
Storks (3,922 theaters) – $31.7 M
Sully (3,955 theaters) – $15 M
Snowden (2,443 theaters) – $5.7 M
Bridget Jones’s Baby – $5.7 M
Blair Witch – $4.2 M
Suicide Squad – $3.2 M
Don’t Breathe – $3.1 M
When the Bough Breaks – $2.6 M
Pete’s Dragon – $1.5 M
The Reviews:
Storks
Starring the voices of: Andy Samberg, Jennifer Aniston and Kelsey Grammer
Rated PG
Storks deliver babies…or at least they used to.
Now they deliver packages for global internet giant Cornerstore.com. Junior, the company’s top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when he accidentally activates the Baby Making Machine, producing an adorable and wholly unauthorized baby girl.
Desperate to deliver this bundle of trouble before the boss gets wise, Junior and his friend Tulip, the only human on Stork Mountain, race to make their first-ever baby drop, culminating in a wild and revealing journey that could make more than one family whole and restore the stork’s true mission in the world.
I’m not sure this movie will capture audiences both young and old. And although there were some very dry patches, the film did offer a few laugh-out-loud moments.
“Storks” is aimed at younger kids, who will enjoy the animation and action. But the film is only cute now and then. It gets a C and is rated PG.
The Magnificent Seven
Starring: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke
Rated PG-13
In “The Magnificent Seven,” the town of Rose Creek is under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, forcing the desperate townspeople employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns.
As they prepare the town for the violent showdown they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.
I am very pleased the film didn’t rehash the 1960 version, which was based on “The Seven Samurai,” written and directed by Akira Kurosawa.
This version is fast-paced, well-directed and contains some pretty good moments. Denzel Washington is in top form as the leader of the ragtag mercenaries with Chris Pratt offering up some well-timed comic relief. Vincent D’ONofrio, Ethan Hawke and Byung-hun Lee all turn in wonderfully nuanced performances, taking the film to another level.
What was really unexpected is “The Magnificent Seven” has a lot of heart and because of that, the audience empathizes with the heroes and connects with them, making the movie experience much more enjoyable.
“The Magnificent Seven” gets an A and is rated PG-13.
