Stephen Chow reclaims his throne as the king of Chinese box office with "The Mermaid." (Photo : Getty Images)
As of Friday evening, Stephen Chow's comedy "The Mermaid" has become Chinese box office's new top-grossing film after posting a gross worth of 2.45 billion yuan (around $400 million), The Hollywood Reporter said.
The title's previous holder was the animated film "Monster Hunt," which was directed by DreamWorks Animation veteran Raman Hui. Shown last summer, it grossed $374 million in over two months and surpassed "Furious 7."
The Hong Kong hitmaker's latest title was all the more impressive as it achieved the feat in just 12 days.
"The Mermaid" features the right mix of Chow's iconic ribald humor and the film's love story and environmental-themed message. It follows the story of a billionaire playboy who pursues an illegal endeavor involving a dolphin and a mermaid who protects their aquatic paradise by seducing the tycoon, the report noted.
The film, produced by China Film Group and Beijing Enlight Pictures, features Deng Cao and newcomer Jelly Lin.
"The Mermaid" has also earned acclaim from film critics across the globe.
"Packed with slapstick action, fantastical special effects and silly and often off-color humor consistent with Chow's oeuvre, ["The Mermaid"] also finds the Hong Kong comedian-turned-auteur contemplating the environmental and conservational ramifications of man-made islands such as the ones built in the South China Sea," a Los Angeles Times review stated.
Though there are scenes where non-Chinese audience may be lost in translation, the reported noted that "none of those really diminish how original, inspired, immersive and entertaining the film is."
The film also gained a 100 percent rating in the popular movie review website, Rotten Tomatoes.
The Stephen Chow title opened in the lucrative Spring Festival season, along with box office rivals "The Monkey King 2" and "The Man from Macau 3."
The second installment of "The Monkey King" grossed $147.6 million, while "The Man From Macau 3" pulled off $145.9 million.
Traditionally, the Chinese New Year period is considered as one of the busiest moviegoing weeks in the country.
