LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - So what if “Inception” is incomprehensible?
The costly sci-fi thriller opened at No. 1 at the weekend box office in North America Sunday, pulling in $60.4 million from moviegoers happy to be vexed by one of the few big original pictures of the summer, according to estimates issued by distributor Warner Bros. Pictures.
The movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a thief who steals secrets from deep within people’s subconscious, was directed by Christopher Nolan, the British filmmaker responsible for the last two “Batman” movies.
Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc., partnered on the $160 million project with studio-based financier Legendary Pictures, and they spent more than $100 million on the marketing. Pundits had forecast an opening in the $50 million to $60 million range.
Critics heaped praise on the movie, even if many of them were not exactly sure what it was about, or advised that it might require multiple viewings.
In a caustic review, the Wall Street Journal suggested “Inception” was “impervious to criticism, simply because no one short of a NASA systems analyst will be able to articulate the plot.”
Warner Bros. said the movie played strongest with those aged 18 to 34, with exit polling data “above the norms.” Men accounted for 56 percent of the audience, and the movie did better in the major cities.
“It’s a smart film, and if you’re a smart person you’ve got to put on your seat belt and enjoy the ride,” said Dan Fellman, the studio’s president of domestic distribution.
Perhaps speaking for older moviegoers, Gene Simmons, the frontman for rock group Kiss, said on Twitter that “Inception“ was “impossible to follow. I got lost many times & had no clue why things were happening. A big question mark. Though, a well-made question mark.”
There was no question about the weekend’s other big new release: Nicolas Cage’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” bombed at No. 3 with just $17.4 million in ticket sales.
After getting a two-day head start by opening on Wednesday, the Walt Disney Co. live-action release has earned $24.5 million to date. Pundits had forecast a $30 million haul for the first five days.
“There’s no question we’re disappointed in the result,” said Chuck Viane, Disney’s president of domestic theatrical distribution.
The fantasy reportedly cost about $150 million to make, though Disney never confirms budgets. Critics ripped the movie, and there was reportedly little pre-opening awareness among moviegoers.
Last weekend’s champion, the family cartoon “Despicable Me,” slipped to No. 2 with $32.7 million in sales. Its 10-day total stands at $118.4 million, said distributor Universal Pictures, a unit of General Electric Co.
