'Exodus' movie box office review: Tops box office despite negative reviews
LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK -- "Exodus: Gods and Kings", an action-filled epic starring Christian Bale as Biblical leader Moses, marched to the top of U.S. and Canadian movie charts, collecting $24.5 million in ticket sales over the weekend.
"Exodus," helmed by British director Ridley Scott, portrays Moses as a reluctant prophet who rises up against the pharaoh. While the $140 million movie fell short of Box Office Mojo's projection of a $29 million domestic debut, its studio said it was in line with its expectations. It added $18.8 million from international markets for a weekend total of $43.3 million.
"It played to a very diverse audience, and in Hispanic markets was well above the norm," said Spencer Klein, senior vice president and general sales manager for 20th Century Fox, the unit of 21st Century Fox that released the film. "This diversity is a very good indication for long-term playability."
However, critics panned the film for its uneven pacing and lack of emotional connection, giving it just 28 percent on RottenTomatoes.com. In addition, the biblical epic suffered from controversy before even being released: detractors accused movie executives on passing on more biblically accurate minority characters for a white cast and the star power of Christian Bale.
"While the pale skin tones (bronzer is selectively applied) and haphazard mix of American and British accents is distracting, it barely scratches the surface of Exodus's ungainly artificiality," wrote Liam Lacey for Globe and Mail.
"Underwhelming -- with little or no emotional resonance," Susan Granger added for SSG Sydicate. "Moses doesn't even say, 'Let my people go.'"
The film had a "weak script full of misplaced dialogue," Emma Koonse agreed in The Christian Post's review.
The multitudes of moviegoers for "Exodus" knocked "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1" to second place, according to estimates from tracking firm Rentrak. The third film in the dystopian thriller series starring Jennifer Lawrence earned $13.2 million at domestic theaters, bringing its total to $277.4 million.
DreamWorks Animation film "Penguins of Madagascar" finished in the No. 3 spot with $7.3 million from Friday through Sunday, while Chris Rock's comedy "Top Five" grabbed fourth place with $7.2 million. Fifth place went to Walt Disney Co's animated film "Big Hero 6" with $6.1 million.