"Geng" takes RM1.75mil

By Ezekiel Lee Zhiang Yang

18 Feb � Long been waiting at the flanks, "Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula" made a substantial release last weekend (Feb 12-15) to the tune of RM 1.75 million, topping the local box office and letting industry observers know the producers meant business when they told the press they wanted to make RM 10 million from the movie.

It was an unlikely box office performance for a homemade production, and an animated feature at that, despite its wide release of 56 prints. The movie outperformed new Hollywood releases like "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button" and "Valkyrie", although these titles were on fewer screens. Sequels "Ong Bak 2" and "Pink Panther 2" followed after "Geng" on the four-day estimates release to the press.

The "Geng" movie rides on local familiarity with its two characters Upin and Ipin, who had a TV series on their own prior to the release of the feature.

"Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula" is playing in cinemas now.