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Kim Hollis: Metallica had a new movie in IMAX theaters this weekend, and it earned $1.6 million. Given its $18 million budget, is this a good enough result?

Jason Barney: No, I don't think so. Even if this is a different type of entry, with the limited opening against the much larger budget, I don't see how this one makes its money back. It is possible it has substantial holds, grabs attention for several weeks, but I seriously doubt it.

Brett Ballard-Beach: Was Laser Metallica closer and cheaper on Friday night? The Wizard of Oz doubled this figure last weekend, at the same theater count. The expansion into non-IMAX theaters next Friday will help get it closer to $10 million but not much, if any above.

Felix Quinonez: I don't think so. This seems like a really odd project and I don't think too many people were asking for. This opening certainly won't generate headlines that would raise interest or convince fans who were on the fence about seeing it. I don't think it has a shot of even making back its production budget and I'm sure there was at least some marketing costs that will make this an even bigger money loser.

Bruce Hall: I would call $1.6 million in three days on 300 screens a solid start - were it not for that hefty price tag. Do you see a movie Metallica made about their own awesomeness covering an $18 million budget in any kind of wide release?

Dethklok, maybe. Metallica, no.

Max Braden: That's certainly not up to One Direction or Katy Perry snuff.

Kim Hollis: I'm going to go a different way with this, because I think that even though the theatrical result may be disappointing, this is the kind of thing that will do well on home video. In the end, I think it will make money.

David Mumpower: The budget is definitely an eye opener here. I am very much looking forward to seeing the movie, though. Its release also provides me with an opportunity to recommend the previous Metallica movie, Some Kind of Monster, which was one of my favorites of 2004. The interpersonal dynamics of this band go a long way in explaining how they wound up being so controversial over the years. They are a chaotic bunch. Through the Never's box office is reflective of the ordinary expectations for a concert performance like this prior to the debut of Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert. In fact, the best comparison for this project is probably Shine a Light, the Rolling Stones IMAX release directed by Martin Scorsese. That title debuted to a similar $1.5 million, albeit against a budget of only a million. Either the budget information for Through the Never is wrong or somebody really overpaid.

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