A three-hour space epic vs. an animated superhero adventure. The first weekend of November is going to be one of the biggest of 2014, with the first legitimate big budget box office battle since “22 Jump Street” defeated “How to Train Your Dragon 2” in June. Two GIANT releases are competiting for the top spot. So the question is, which film is going to be the champ: “Interstellar” or “Big Hero 6”?
“INTERSTELLAR”
Pros
– All-star cast including Oscar winners Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Michael Caine, along with Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain
– Director Christopher Nolan has an excellent recent track-record (“Inception” which opened to $63M in 2010, and “The Dark Knight” Trilogy)
– Based on trailers, the film looks intense, exciting and promising
Cons
– It’s 2 hours and 49 minutes, nearly twice the length of last year’s “Gravity” (which grossed $274 million)
– Early reviews have been mixed
– In fewer theaters than “Big Hero 6” and will have fewer showings (because of length) per screen
“BIG HERO 6”
Pros
– Walt Disney Animation Studios’ follow-up to $400M juggernaut “Frozen”
– Early buzz says it’s a contender for a Best Animated Feature nomination
– Based on Marvel comic book, so likely will bring in that crowd as well
Cons
– It’s a down year for animation, with WB’s “The LEGO Movie” as the only true success story $257M domestic; nothing’s come close since February
– With “Penguins of Madagascar” out on Nov. 26, will families familiar with that franchise hold off?
– Moviegoers may wait a week or two to see it (no other family options until “Penguins”)
PREDICTIONS: “Interstellar” wins with $68 million (the total will be over $70M by Sunday since it opens in select theaters on Wed.) “Big Hero 6” will will finish a strong second with $54 million.
Lights Camera Jackson (a.k.a. Jackson Murphy) began his career as a film critic in 2006 at the age of 7. To date, Jackson has written nearly 1,000 reviews of new releases and, in total, has seen more than 1,500 films. In 2010, Jackson became the youngest person to win a NY Emmy Award, for his on-air movie reviews on Time Warner TV station, Capital News 9. And in 2011, Jackson was inducted into the Broadcast Film Critics Association as their youngest member. The BFCA’s annual Critics Choice Awards is one of the industry’s most recognized and prestigious awards shows. Jackson is also a member of SAG-AFTRA and votes annually for the Screen Actors Guild Awards.