'The Island' surprised by 'Crash' at London box office

'Charlie' continues to lead the chart while 'The Island' finds stiff competition in 'Crash'

Aug 18 2005

After three weeks on release, it comes as no surprise that 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' has held on to the top spot in London's weekend film chart.

However, while Mr Wonka's reign was expected to be challenged by Michael Bay's futuristic popcorn-actioner 'The Island', it was pipped at the post by present-day parable 'Crash'.

Written and directed by 'Million Dollar Baby' scribe Paul Haggis, 'Crash' boasts an impressive ensemble of screen talent, including Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock and Thandie Newton among others, and has been well received by critics across the board.

All the same, 'The Island', which stars Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson, still enjoyed a respectable opening and will no doubt continue to pick up numbers, blasting audiences' eardrums with shouting and explosions over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, frat pack comedy 'Wedding Crashers' amazingly managed to cling on to fourth, despite being only incidentally funny, continuing to post impressive receipts.

Bollywood epic 'The Rising' was best of the rest entering the chart at five as 'Fantastic Four' finally plunged from three to six, while 'Stealth' disappeared out the top ten altogether.

'Madagascar' held on to number seven while summer blockbuster 'War of the Worlds' dropped to number eight, with Farrelly brother comedy 'Fever Pitch' hot on its heels at nine and family comedy 'Herbie: Fully Loaded' taking up number ten.

This weekend's most notable releases include 'Bewitched' remake, starring Nicole Kidman, and Jet Li action drama 'Unleashed', neither of which seem likely to challenge the top three.