Audiences Go Ape At The US Box

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgThose damn bloody apes of PLANET OF THE APES ruled the U.S. box office in their debut weekend. The re-envisioned PLANET, with primary visual effects by ILM, lassoed US$69.55 million. Dropping to second, JURASSIC PARK III racked in another $22.5 million. The dino disaster, with primary visual effects by ILM, has feasted on $124.8 million in only two weeks in U.S. theaters. Also dropping a spot to land in sixth, CATS & DOGS brought home an additional $4.52 million. The pet warfare flick, with primary visual effects by Tippett Studios and Rhythm & Hues, has drummed up $81.52 million to date. DR. DOLITTLE barked in $4.18 million in seventh place. The Eddie Murphy vehicle, with primary visual effects by Rhythm & Hues, has summoned $100.8 million thus far. Slipping from seventh to finish in ninth, SCARY MOVIE 2 laughed in another $2.6 million. The callus comedy, with primary visual effects by Artist's Asylum, has scared up $67 million to date. Jumping back into the top ten, SHREK scored another $1.7 million. The 3D phenomenon has increased its total gross to $255.5 million. Falling out of the top ten to finish in 12th place, FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN captured $1.2 million. The photo-realistic flop, produced by Sony and Square Co. Ltd., has collected only $30.2 million to date. Box office data was obtained on Yahoo.com.