While a lot of people are saying that the release of "Meet the Robinsons" will be the first look at the impact of John Lasseter and Pixar on the faltering Disney (DIS) animation studio, I think that it's not quite a fair association, as the story had already been done.
"This is the first time you will see Pixar's influence on a story that had already been done," said analyst David Miller. "If the film is successful it will prove to the Street that the $7.4 billion that Disney paid for Pixar is a damn good deal."
Still, people reviewing it said that you can see Lasseter's influence all over it, but that was referring to digital 3D effects more than the storyline.
Expectations for the opening are between $20 to $30 million. The estimated costs of the film are about $117 million, including production and distribution. It is felt that if the film can open at around $30 million, it should pretty much guarantee that it will be profitable.
It will open in May 30 in 3,413 theaters across North America. The largest movie ticketing service in the U.S., Fandango.com says that the film is No. 1 in advance ticket sales, accounting for 31 percent of sales today.
Another positive for the film will be that it will get a boost from the premium prices garnered from the approximate 700 screens that will offer the movie in 3D.
Reviews for the film have been middle-of-the-road, but that hasn't had much bearing on films this year as many, such as "Wild Hogs" have had terrible reviews, but continue to outperform.
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