'Madagascar 2' is No. 1 big time

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Those wacky denizens of the New York Zoo -- Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria -- did it again, making "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" a smash in U.S. theaters.

In its first weekend, "Madagascar" -- featuring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith as the voices for the animated lion, zebra, giraffe and hippo, respectively -- tallied an estimated $63.5 million in ticket sales, Box Office Mojo said Sunday.

A new comedy, "Role Models," starring Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, came in at No. 2 with $19.25 million in estimated box office receipts.

Last week's top movie," High School Musical 3: Senior Year," slipped to No. 3 with $9.29 million, followed by "Changeling" with $7.28 million and "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" at $6.52 million.

Weighing in at No. 6 in its first weekend was another comedy, "Soul Men," starring the late Bernie Mac, Samuel L. Jackson and Sharon Leal, at $5.61 million.

Filling out the Top 10 were "Saw V," $4.2 million; "The Haunting of Molly Hartley," $3.49 million; "The Secret Life of Bees," $3.13 million; and "Eagle Eye," $2.59 million.

Dropping out of the top tier were "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," "Max Payne" and Pride & Glory."