 Christian Bale steps into the role of the comic book crimefighter |
Batman Begins has topped the UK box office chart for the second consecutive week, with weekend takings of �2.9m. The prequel, directed by Christopher Nolan, stars British actor Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader and is the fifth film in the comic book franchise.
Action thriller Mr and Mrs Smith, and the final Star Wars instalment, Revenge of the Sith, complete the top three.
Rom-com A Lot Like Love, martial arts comedy Kung Fu Hustle and Indian drama Paheli were new entries in the top 10.
Kung Fu Hustle, from Hong Kong director Stephen Chow, entered the chart at number four, just ahead of A Lot Like Love at number five.
 | TOP FIVE UK FILMS 1. Batman Begins 2. Mr and Mrs Smith 3. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 4. Kung Fu Hustle 5. A Lot Like Love Source: Screen International |
Paheli, starring Bollywood favourite Amitabh Bachchan, entered the chart at number seven.
The recent Batman film has been widely acclaimed by critics, following the lacklustre response to the previous two Batman episodes - Batman & Robin in 1997 and Batman Forever in 1995.
However, it has failed to lift the US box office out of an 18-week slump.
It is hoped Steven Spielberg's blockbuster War of the Worlds, starring Tom Cruise, will see a surge in ticket sales when it opens later this week.
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