Anthony Mackie’s ‘Elevation’ Falls Flat with Earnings Under 10% of Its Budget

Last weekend, Anthony Mackie graced our screens yet again, bringing along ‘Elevation’—a film that’s had critics raising eyebrows more than they were raising glasses of clinking champagne.

The reception? Well, let’s just say it didn’t come out swinging at the box office, crawling in with a mere $1.1 million. That’s less than 10% of its reported $18 million budget. Oh, the joys of showbiz!

In ‘Elevation,’ our hero, played by the dashing Mackie, takes on the mantle of a single father, teaming up with two adventurous women (because who needs safety when there are monsters to face?). They embark on a rather brave—dare I say foolhardy—quest to save a young boy from unsavory creatures lurking about like unwanted guests at a party.

The critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes stands at a rather lukewarm 53%, while the audiences—those brave souls who dare to venture out of their homes—seemed to enjoy it a tad more at 78%. A charming discrepancy, reminiscent of those family dinners where everyone pretends the lasagna is great, despite it looking like a science experiment gone wrong.

It’s certainly a shame that ‘Elevation’ lacks the critical acclaim that could have sparked some delightful word-of-mouth marketing—those whispers in the dark that do wonders for a film's ticket sales. Instead, the film appears poised to join the unfortunate club of its underperforming peers, like ‘Borderlands’ and ‘Megalopolis.’ You know, films that seem to be trapped in a time-loop of bad choices and higher budgets!

But fear not for Mackie, dear reader! Because in February 2024, he’ll be stepping into the much-anticipated Marvel flick ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ alongside none other than Harrison Ford. I mean, if being in a Marvel film doesn’t guarantee a box office bonanza, I don’t know what will! Mackie will pass the torch of the Falcon to Danny Ramirez, leaving us to wonder—who will take the superhero selfies?

So there you have it! ‘Elevation,’ with its monsters, its mediocre box office returns, and a cast that includes Danny Boyd Jr. and Shauna Earp, is now playing in theaters. Meanwhile, keep your eyes peeled for the next shiny Marvel spectacle on the horizon—it’s bound to rake in cash as eagerly as I reach for that last slice of pizza at a party!