“Blasting onto the screen at warp speed and remaining there for two hours, the new and improved “Star Trek” will transport fans to sci-fi nirvana”, says Todd McCarthy in Variety’s review of Star Trek which went live Wednesday at 2.17am PT.
“Faithful enough to the spirit and key particulars of Gene Roddenberry’s original conception to keep its torchbearers happy but, more crucially, exciting on its own terms in a way that makes familiarity with the franchise irrelevant, J.J. Abrams’ smart and breathless space adventure feels like a summer blockbuster that just couldn’t stay in the box another month. Paramount won’t need any economic stimulus package with all the money it’ll rake in with this one globally, and a follow-up won’t arrive soon enough”.
McCarthy compares the reboot to being as successful as Casino Royale, when Daniel Craig went back to the origins of 007 a few years back.
Star Trek opens May 8th worldwide, and director/producer J.J. Abrams was correct to screen the movie way early for critics and lucky fans alike. The buzz has been amazing so far, and it needed to be to make it’s money back. Now I’m not as cock-sure as Todd McCarthy that it’s a shoe-in to make it’s $150 million back, but I do have to say that J.J. got it right in showing it early, and if ever a Star Trek movie is going to make a profit on this kind of budget, then this one surely has to be it.
6 Comments
This is good news. I can’t wait!
Yeah, I agree. I’m not sure there’s enough interest from non-SciFi people to make 150 million dollars. I can still see people writing off just because it’s Star Trek.
But I’m excited!
I think it’ll have a huge first weekend, followed by a sharp dropoff. SciFi fans are interested in this one, far beyond the typical sized audience for TREK. Also, Abrams has done a good job of stoking the fires. It also has a great release date. But TREK is largely an American product; it hasn’t had much appeal around the world.
I’m betting a $70 million weekend, and somewhere around $120 million North American B.O.
120 Total? That’s a steep drop.
I’m going 50-60 million dollar opening. 150-160 Total American Box office.
Starting off the summer means it’s going to get lost too quickly by more blockbusters to have Batman Begins 200 million type legs.
@ JeffC – I think the point you’re forgetting is that STAR TREK films NEVER go over $120 million. The film has a devoted core, but not much interest beyond that. However, the inclusion of hot young actors and Abrams means a certain boost in box office … but I doubt if it’s that much.
@Ray, I thought about that. But the adult Trek geeks have more expendable income to see the movie multiple times than when the last good Trek movie came out. Plus, I think a few kids/families will come out.
But with a budget of 150, matching it in total box office isn’t exactly a great omen of the future success of the franchise unless the DVD does gangbusters.