Monaco Journal - Latest 'John Wick' tops N.America box office in a big, bloody opening

Analyst David A. Gross called it "a superb opening," noting that each Wick sequel has managed to outdo its predecessors.

Reviews have been mostly positive: "Would that all action films were so well and cleanly choreographed," the Washington Post gushed; but some reviewers saw the body count -- more than 100 per bloody Wick movie -- as a bit much.

"Chapter 4" owes its choreography largely to director Chad Stahelski, himself a former stunt man. Starring along with Reeves, in a tale that has the titular hitman fighting a powerful international crime group -- are Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgard and Laurence Fishburne.

Last weekend's box office leader, "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" took in just $9.7 million, slipping to second place, in what Variety called "one of the worst turnouts for a modern superhero movie." The DC/Warner Bros. film stars Zachary Levi, Asher Angel and Adam Brody.

In third spot was "Scream VI" from Paramount and Spyglass Media, at $8.4 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period. Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega and Skeet Ulrich star in the horror flick.

In fourth was yet another sequel, United Artists' boxing drama "Creed III," at $8.37 million. Michael B. Jordan directs and plays the title character; his co-star Jonathan Majors was arrested Saturday for allegedly assaulting a woman in a domestic dispute.

And in fifth, down one spot from last weekend, was sci-fi thriller "65" from Sony and Columbia Pictures, at $3.3 million. Adam Driver stars in a time-travel saga that juxtaposes space ships and dinosaurs.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

"Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" ($2.4 million)

"Cocaine Bear" ($2.1 million)

"Jesus Revolution" ($2 million)

"Champions" ($1.5 million)

"Avatar: The Way of Water" ($1.4 million)

S.Martin--MJ