Ending “The Village’s” five-week reign, “Collateral” was the weekend champ overseas, nailing $8.9 million from more than 1,800 screens, propelling its cume to $38.5 million in 24 territories. But, typifying the general malaise, it was the first time since the dog days of early March that the weekend’s top title earned less than $10 million. Tom Cruise (news) starrer ruled in France, Belgium, Holland and Poland and held reasonably well in its second assignation in Germany. Gallic crix raved about the hit-man saga, one hailing it as a “triumph of the American system when it’s put together by artists: entertainment in its highest form,” and another saluting director Michael Mann’s “new form of melancholic lyricism.”

“Collateral” knocked “Look At Me” off its perch in France but exhibs were satisfied with the perf of the dark comedy from helmer/thesp/co-writer Agnes Jaoui