‘Almighty’ tops ‘Matrix’ sequel

? The Jim Carrey comedy “Bruce Almighty” reigned at the box office in its opening weekend, taking in $86.4 million and easily surpassing “The Matrix Reloaded” as the No. 1 movie of the Memorial Day weekend.

“The Matrix” sequel earned $45.6 million to place a distant No. 2 in its second week of release, according to studio estimates Monday.

Attendance for “The Matrix Reloaded,” which has collected $209.5 million since its powerhouse debut May 14, shrunk by 60 percent — suggesting “The Matrix” is unloading quickly.

Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations Co., characterized the performance of “Bruce Almighty” as a “definite surprise.”

The only other new film in wide release was the Michael Douglas-Albert Brooks remake of “The In-Laws,” about a wild secret agent and meek doctor whose children are marrying. The comedy, based on a 1979 film starring Peter Falk and Alan Arkin, collected $9.1 million to finish fifth for the weekend.