KEVIN JAMES - TAKEN NABS TOP SPOT AT U.S. BOX OFFICE

TAKEN NABS TOP SPOT AT U.S. BOX OFFICE

New action adventure film TAKEN has wrestled the number one spot at the U.S. box office from KEVIN JAMES' comedy PAUL BLART: MALL COP, taking in $24.6 million (£17.6 million) in its opening weekend (31Jan/01Feb09). The thriller, starring Liam Neeson and Maggie Grace, nabbed the prize after James scored two weeks at the top spot with his role as an overzealous security guard, with takings of $14 million (£10 million) in his film's third week.
New horror film The Uninvited made its debut at number three, with actress Elizabeth Banks helping the flick topple competition, taking in $10.5 million (£7.5 million).
In fourth, Lisa Kudrow's family film Hotel for Dogs earned another $8.7 million (£6.2 million) in its third week, just knocking Clint Eastwood's latest directorial/acting offering Gran Torino to number five with $8.6 million (£6.1 million).
Eastwood's drama - the biggest movie opening of his career at $29 million (£20.7 million) - boasts total earnings of $110.5 million (£79 million) after eight weeks at the U.S. box office.