Jurassic chomps up UK chart

Jurassic Park still draws the crowds

Dinosaur adventure Jurassic Park III has roared its way into the UK box office charts at number one.

The film - the latest instalment in the hit movie series from director Steven Spielberg - made £4,762,155 in its first weekend.

It shunted successful comedy animation Shrek - also made by Spielberg's production company DreamWorks - into the second place position it occupied two weeks ago.

Shrek hanging on in the top three

Shrek made £1,901,113 in its fourth week. Slipping one position to number three, in its third week, was Lara Croft: Tomb Raider with takings of £1,119,200.

Jurassic Park III - for which Spielberg moved from the director's chair to being executive producer - stars Sam Neill and Téa Leoni.

It was directed by Joe Johnston, who was also at the helm for Jumanji and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.

Like its two predecessors, Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park II, the latest movie again involves the characters being pursued around a remote island by prehistoric predators.

Top five UK films

1. Jurassic Park III

2. Shrek

3. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

4. High Heels and Lowlifes

5. Evolution

Despite mixed reviews, the film proved an instant hit in the US, where it opened at number one with takings of more than $50m (£35.3m).

It also topped the charts in Latin America and South East Asia.

The only other new release in the top 10 was the comedy thriller High Heels and Lowlifes, starring Minnie Driver and Mary McCormack.

The London-based film, directed by British comedian Mel Smith, opened at number four with takings of £454,989.

It tells the story of close friends Shannon, a nurse played by Driver, and struggling American actress Frances, played by McCormack.

They become involved in a scam to rob a bank after a overhearing a covert conversation about it on a radio scanner.

Animal Attraction sees Ashley Judd opposite Hugh Jackman

The rest of the top 10 is still populated by old releases, including eight-week-old Pearl Harbor, at number seven.

The film has so far taken £12,583,879. But the figure pales compared with the £40,982,418 amassed by Bridget Jones's Diary, still at six after 15 weeks.

Outside the top 10 films, the only fresh feature to figure is Animal Attraction, which opened at number 11 with ticket sales of £66,520.

The romantic comedy, also known as Someone Like You, stars Ashley Judd, Hugh Jackman, Marisa Tomei, Greg Kinnear and Ellen Barkin.

It tells the story of a young female talk show talent scout who is jilted by her boyfriend.

The experience prompts her to write a column accusing all men of being cheats, which earns her national fame.