The weekend's other big new release failed to whip up any magic amid poor reviews. Nicolas Cage's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" bombed at No. 3 with just $17.4 million in weekend ticket sales.Last weekend's champion, the family cartoon "Despicable Me," slipped to No. 2 with $32.7 million.
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 "Inception," 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 the film was "impervious to criticism, simply because no one short of a NASA systems analyst will be able to articulate the plot."
"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.He predicted the film would hit $300 million in sales in North America. The biggest release of the year so far is "Toy Story 3" with $363 million.
After getting a two-day head start by opening on Wednesday, the film 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.
"Despicable Me" has earned $118.4 million in North America after 10 days, said distributor Universal Pictures, a unit of General Electric Co.. Its foreign total rose to $11.3 million from seven markets; Russia has contributed $7.2 million to sales in 11 days.
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