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David Mumpower: Given the quality of the trailers, I consider this to be a spectacular opening weekend. Let's be honest about what has happened here. North America has just been offered the Homer Simpson door stop for Danish trade. We took the door stop.

Reagen Sulewski: Yes, this is a ridiculous concept for a movie, but it's a *carefully* calibrated ridiculousness. There's a certain level of self-awareness in film that allows audiences in on the joke but doesn't go so far into parody that you can't respect what it's going for. Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter had it, Snakes on a Plane didn't. Basically, the film gets to say "We know this is stupid... but ain't it fun?" There's only so high these films can go, but this film walked that tightrope exceptionally well.

Kim Hollis: Parker, the latest Jason Statham action flick, opened to $7 million this weekend. Are you surprised that the presence of Jennifer Lopez didn't elevate this film to at least the average performance for a Statham project?

Felix Quinonez Jr.: I really don't think Jennifer Lopez's presence was advertised enough to make a difference in the movie's box office performance. From what I saw this was marketed just like every other Statham movie.

Brett Ballard-Beach: I did not see any of the marketing materials for this, and have not read any of the crime novels that feature the character, but in the wake of The Last Stand's performance, I gather this is another case where not enough was done to offer a reason for the Friday night crowd to do anything but wait for the DVD. I am still befuddled that Taylor Hackford (An Officer and A Gentleman, Ray, The Devil's Advocate) of all people helmed a Jason Statham action vehicle. That in itself suggests a muddled tone. Adding Jennifer Lopez may have been a "shrewd" move to widen the demographics, but her film career is running on fumes. American Idol may have given her last album and singles a commercial boost but that doesn't translate over to the big screen.

Jay Barney: I didn't see much in the way of marketing for this film, either. The Jason Statham movies do have a following, but from what I can recall their box office significance is marginal at best. I go to the movies a lot, and I haven't seen one of his movies....if that says anything.
Max Braden: I think Kim's characterization of it tells the tale. The advertising made it look like just another one of Statham's action flicks. Statham is good when he's good, and I think he has decent respect for that. But when he looks bored in the role and doesn't look like he's giving his best, that's not going to sell the movie. They really should have upped the Lopez factor to try to add a softer, more complex side the movie. Additionally, along with The Last Stand, January just feels like a dumping ground for what should be a summer movie.

David Mumpower: The worst part for Lopez is that she was not advertised as Jennifer Lopez. The commercial that featured her basically had her stripping for the hero. Any random Hollywood opportunist actress could have taken this role. As for the result, at some point, Jason Statham is going to have to do an action movie that distinguishes him in some way. Cosmetically, what is the difference between Safe and Parker? I -like- Statham yet I cannot answer that question.

Kim Hollis: I agree that Lopez’s presence wasn’t particularly well advertised. It really looked like “just another Jason Statham movie” and since we had “just another Arnold Schwarzeneggr movie” last week and will have “just another Sylvester Stallone movie” this weekend and then “yet another Die Hard movie” in a couple more weeks after that, what real motivation is there for action junkies to get out and see these in theaters right away? And how are they hoping to bring in a new, younger audience? Other than superhero films, what movies are truly out there that adequately target the male 18-34 demographic?

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