LOS ANGELES, Aug. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese martial-arts film "Hero," starring Jet Li, sliced up the competition at North Americabox office, taking in 18 million US dollars in the passing weekend,according to final studio figures Monday.

This was 200,000 dollars more than the studio estimates released Sunday. The film, which was nominated for 2002 best foreign language Academy award, was released by Miramax two years later than expected.

Produced by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou, the film tells an assassination plot against the first Chinese emperor of Qin Dynasty. Co-starring with Jet Li are famous Chinese film stars Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi and Tony Leung Chui-Wai.

It is in abundance of breathtaking and seemingly impossible images captured by cinematographer Christopher Doyle.

Another new release, "Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid," snaked into second place with a take of 12.9 million dollars, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

"Without a Paddle" rowed into third with 8.6 million dollars, followed by "Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," with 8.1 million dollars, and last week's leader "Exorcist: The Beginning,"with 7.1 million dollars.

Rounding out the top 10 were "Collateral" (6.5 million dollars)," Alien vs Predator" (4.9 million dollars), "Open Water" (4.8 million dollars), "The Bourne Supremacy" (4.6 million dollars) andthe debut of "Suspect Zero" (3.4 million dollars).