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Michael Lynderey: I'd rank it right up there with anything DreamWorks has put up this year, even if it won't have the legs (won't it?). Disney has managed to not only replicate but surpass what they did with Enchanted three years ago this weekend, but with a product that looked far less innovative and original. The big appeal to pre-teen girls (something most CGI animations don't possess) combined with the Disney stamp of approval certainly must have helped. But still, coming in just five days after Harry Potter, this is a pretty remarkable achievement that goes beyond the normal reasoning for such openings.

They should get naked-er in a movie called Burlesque

Kim Hollis: Burlesque earned $17.3 million over five days, including $11.9 million over the Friday-to-Sunday portion of the weekend. Is this more, less, or about what you were expecting from the Screen Gems release?

Josh Spiegel: Seeing as this movie was branded as camp before it even came out, yeah, the result's about what I expected. Obviously, Cher and Christina Aguilera are still well known quantities, but nothing about this seemed particularly eye-catching, unless you're into gaudy faux-musicals. Anyway, considering the reviews, I'd say Screen Gems should be happy and hoping for a strong bit of business on DVD.





Bruce Hall: I don't think I was asked but if you had, I'd have said "under $20 million." This result isn't surprising to me, but it is worth noting that a lot of bread was spent marketing this thing, and that's money that must be accounted for. Meanwhile, the production budget was evidently around $60 million. I have to believe that someone is going to spend Monday enduring some icy stares across the conference table from their higher ups.

On the other hand, Burlesque strikes me as the kind of film that may well develop a significant following over time. It's earning fair word-of-mouth, with CinemaScore showing an A-. And despite the poor critical feedback at Rotten Tomatoes, 80% of patrons say they enjoyed it. No, that isn't very scientific but I think it is telling. This is a niche film that will attract generally favorable crowds because they already know what they're going to get. If you like gaudy musical numbers, sequins, bright lights, divas and drag queens, and by God if you like Cher, you're bound to be entertained.

When Burlesque opens worldwide, it will be interesting to see how it plays. Sony (who is taking point on international distribution) seems to feel it can be profitable in this way. Over time, when we look back at the overseas numbers and eventual DVD sales, they might end up being correct.

Joshua Pasch: Burlesque reminds me of an even campier version of last year's non-success Nine, and that one finished with less than $20 million total domestically. I'd say with that consideration, that Screen Gems (which rarely opens a film to less than $7 million or more than $25 million on opening weekend) will be at least mildly pleased to have achieved the status quo with something that is a bit outside their traditional genre wheelhouse.

I completely agree that this will be a film with a long shelf life and I do not look forward to the distantly foreseeable day when it is playing on TV and I am forced to sit through it.

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