DisneyBox offices were in a race opening weekend with films like A Working Man starring Jason Statham and Snow White starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. In a surprising outcome, A Working Man has surpassed the beloved Disney live-action retelling with a domestic opening of $15.2 million from 3,262 theaters, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Snow White came in at $14.2 million from 4,200 locations.
A Working Man Delivers
“Levon Cade has left his profession behind him to go ‘straight’ and work in construction. He wants to live a simple life and be a good father to his daughter. But when his boss’s teenage daughter Jenny vanishes, he’s called upon to re-employ the skills that made him a legendary figure in the shadowy world of black ops. His hunt for the missing college student takes him deep into the heart of a sinister criminal conspiracy creating a chain reaction that will threaten his new way of life.” –Edvin Karelius
The fans’ response to “A Working Man” is generally positive, particularly among those who enjoy his brand of action films. Fans and critics alike acknowledge that Statham delivers exactly what his audience expects: hard-hitting action, intense fight choreography, and a “no-nonsense” persona.
The film is described as a throwback to the 80’s action hero era, with a focus on gritty, visceral action sequences. The collaborations between Statham and director David Ayer are being well received. “A Working Man” is seen as delivering on its promise of action-packed entertainment. Fans of Statham’s previous work are likely to be satiated. All in all, the film is being received as a solid action thriller that plays to Jason Statham’s strengths, providing the kind of entertainment his fans have come to know and expect.
Poison Apple, Indeed
The film’s abysmal performance in its second weekend is bad news for Disney, and puts Snow White in tanking territory, considering it cost an estimated $370 million to make. The Disney Live-action remake of the 1937 cartoon classic has earned a dubious new claim to fame – with the current lowest IMDb rating of all-time at 1.6 out of 10 with over 200 reviews. The original story was written over 200 years ago.
As a result, the studio had trouble trying to decide how to portray the seven dwarves. Turns out they CGI’ed the entire dwarf cast. Game of Thrones actor, Peter Dinklage, (who has achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism), expressed concern that the remake continued to perpetuate outdated stereotypes about dwarfs, despite casting a Latina actress for the lead role.
This isn’t all that’s been reported about the film. Disney fans report that the film felt rushed and audiences are tired of Disney not taking risks with new stories. The last several live-action remakes have done well financially, but not great, and audiences are craving new stories and fresh ideas instead of tired, old remakes. Many viewers have praised the film’s visuals, citing beautiful cinematography, vibrant colors, and detailed costumes. The musical numbers have also gotten mixed reviews. Some enjoy the new songs and others feel they don’t live up to the original. Changes to the classic storyline, such as the reimagining of Prine Charming, have been a point of contention.
Why It’s Performing Poorly
One reason the film is tanking is because of casting and performance. Rachel Zegler’s portrayal of Snow White has drawn both praise for her vocal abilities and criticism for not capturing the original character’s essence. Gal Gadot‘s performance as the Evil Queen has also received mixed reviews, with some admiring her presence and other criticizing her acting.
Another reason behind this film flopping is changes to the original story. The film’s deviations from the classic animated film, including changes to the love story and the portrayal of the dwarves have sparked debate.
In essence, the film has generated a wide range of reactions, with some viewers appreciating its modern take and others feeling it strays too far from the beloved original.
