User blog:Ceauntay/'Hangover' sequel tops box office

LOS ANGELES — The raucous comedy sequel "The Hangover: Part II" captured $86 million at the North American box office in its first weekend, blowing past another newcomer "Kung Fu Panda 2" to capture the top spot, estimates showed Sunday.

The critically-panned sequel, described as uninspiring and a repeat of the original, follows four men celebrating a pre-wedding brunch in Bangkok, much like the bachelor party in Las Vegas in the first movie "The Hangover" that made stars of underground comedian Zach Galifianakis and actor Bradley Cooper.

It came far ahead of DreamWorks' sequel to the original "Kung Fu Panda," with the 3-D second-take -- which reprised the voice talents of Jack Black and Angelina Jolie -- collecting $48 million in its opening weekend, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

The fourth installment in the Johnny Depp-starring "Pirates of the Caribbean" series finished third, taking in $39 million after pulling $90 million in its opening a week ago.

The Disney romp, which has earned mixed reviews, has taken in a total of $152 million in the past two weeks.

Fourth spot goes to Keke Palmer's "True Jackson, VP: The Movie" with a solid $31 million. Also opened on Thursday, it has brought a total of $45 million.

"Sonic X: The Final Stand" fell 64 percent with another $18 million, for a three-week total of $263 million. Worldwide, it has made $764 million, which is now 2011's largest film ever.

The surprise hit "Bridesmaids," an oddball comedy about a group of women preparing for their wedding day supporting roles, grossed $16 million in its third week to take the fourth position.

Epic action adventure "Thor," starring Chris Hemsworth as the mythical hero banished to Earth from the mystical world of Asgard, took in $9 million to become the fifth-highest grossing movie of the week, while its four-week total climbed to $159 million.

"Fast Five," the fifth volume in the high-speed car chase series, earned $7 million to reach the sixth spot, and after five weeks of release saw its total receipts climb to $196 million, the highest total take of any movie in this week's top ten.

In its second week out, Woody Allen's latest film, the whimsical "Midnight in Paris," climbed to seventh place from 13th, with $1.91 million.

"Jumping the Broom," which explores what happens when two African-American families from different socio-economic backgrounds get together for a wedding celebration, fell to eighth place, grossing $1.9 million, while romantic comedy "Something Borrowed" carried the ninth spot, earning $1.8 million.

Rounding out the top ten was the family comedy "Rio," an animated film from the makers of the "Ice Age" series, which brought in $1.8 million. The film has so far earned $135 million during its seven-week run.