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Posted by STV at 5:15 AM on August 30, 2008
Small in Japan: It was bound to happen eventually: We've finally found the one country in the world where The Dark Knight is underperforming. Japanese moviegoers have reportedly bowed out of the global phenomenon, with TDK hovering around the equivalent of $8.7 million in its second week of release. In comparison, observers point to the film's $14 million take during the same frame in Korea, as well as Batman Begins' own $14 million Japanese opening three years ago. Why the plunge? Competition from Hayao Miyazaki's blockbuster Ponyo on the Cliff — currently sitting at $93 million after only a month in theatres — hasn't helped. Nor has its unrelenting heaviness, says one critic: "Japanese movie fans expect such films to be fun and action-packed, for the hero to be attractive, for the villain to be loud and outrageous, and for the movie itself to be easy to understand and light." At least that should brighten post-Hulk spirits at Marvel: Iron Man opens in Japan on Sept. 20. [Film Junk via /film]
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enriquez the water bottle
Posted 5:28 AM 30/8/08
"Japanese movie fans expect such films to be fun and action-packed,"
Well, it's at least action-packed, and I had fun.
"for the hero to be attractive,"
Bale is in no way ugly.
"for the villain to be loud and outrageous,"
A cackling clown and a half-burnt attorney aren't enough?
"and for the movie itself to be easy to understand and light."
Audition?
enriquez the water bottle
MayhemintheHood
Posted 6:53 AM 30/8/08
Dude, it got beat by The Mummy 3 and What Happens in Vegas. They like some crappy movies over there.
MayhemintheHood
NoGrumpys
Posted 6:51 AM 30/8/08
I finally understand the popularity of Godzilla, Pokemaon and Hello Kitty. THANKS DEFAMER
NoGrumpys
DarkKnightShyamalan
Posted 6:49 AM 30/8/08
Japanese movie fans expect such films to be fun and action-packed, for the hero to be attractive, for the villain to be loud and outrageous, and for the movie itself to be easy to understand and light.
Dear Japan:
Enclosed please find all our major studio heads. They should be able to give you what you want. No need to send them back. Call it a thank-you gift for giving us Super Mario Brothers.
Sincerely,
America
DarkKnightShyamalan
torpor
Posted 6:49 AM 30/8/08
The Cult of The Dark Knight will be shaken to the core upon hearing this news.
torpor
Huge Tracts of Land
Posted 7:07 AM 30/8/08
But Batman-San! He's so dreamy!
Huge Tracts of Land
SunnydaZe10
Posted 7:44 AM 30/8/08
The new Batman just isn't "femboy" enough for Japan.
BRING BACK Joel Schumacher!!!
Nipples on the Batsuit, anyone?
SunnydaZe10
MountainGal
Posted 10:54 AM 31/8/08
Ah, yes, if only it had a subtle Hello Kitty placement. Oh, well.
MountainGal
Brosepher
Posted 1:51 AM 1/9/08
Of course nobody is going to go see The Dark Knight in Japan, everyone has already watched bootlegged versions with Japanese subtitles on Tudou.
Brosepher