'Blade Runner' reboot races to top of box office

LONG–awaited sequel "Blade Runner: 2049" snatched the box office top spot this weekend — three and a half decades since "Blade Runner" hit the big screen in 1982, industry estimates showed Sunday.
But with takings of $31.5 million (RM133 million) in North American theaters, the sci–fi reboot — featuring original star Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling — didn't enjoy the sensational opening its rave reviews suggested it might.
"Blade Runner: 2049" sees Gosling as a new Los Angeles Police Department "blade runner" — charged with killing bioengineered androids known as "replicants." On uncovering a secret which threatens society, he embarks on a search for Harrison Ford's character, a former blade runner who disappeared 30 years ago.
Despite a disappointing first weekend, "Blade Runner" did not face much competition for the top spot — with Fox's "The Mountain Between Us," in second place, earning just $10.1 million (RM42.7 million).
Starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba, "The Mountain Between Us" tells the story of a surgeon (Elba) and a journalist (Winslet), who fall in love as they fight to survive following a plane crash on a snowy Utah mountain range.
Meanwhile, with takings dropping from last week's $16.9 million (RM71.5 million) to $9.6 million (RM40.6 million), freaky horror hit "It" — based on the Stephen King novel — settled for third place in its fifth week in theaters.
In fourth, earning $8.8 million (RM37 million), was Lionsgate animation "My Little Pony: The Movie" — featuring star–studded voiceovers from the likes of Emily Blunt and Australian singer Sia.
But it was a fall from grace for espionage comedy "Kingsman: The Golden Circle," which — having taken the crown last week — dropped to fifth place with earnings of $8.1 million (RM34 million).
Rounding out the top 10 were:
"American Made" ($8 million, RM33.8 million)
"The Lego Ninjago Movie" ($6.7 million, RM28.3 million)
"Victoria and Abdul" ($4.1 million, RM17.3 million)
"Flatliners" ($3.8 million, RM16 million)
"Battle of the Sexes" ($2.4 million) — AFP Relaxnews