'Transformers' sequel floods the box office with $201.2 million

By Sarah Sluis

Of all the big movies released this summer, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen received the worst reviews. It also earned the most money--$201.2 million, to be exact. After an astounding $60.6 million debut from Tuesday midnight and Wednesday screenings, the film racked up $112 million from Friday to Sunday. With a PG-13 rating, it was able to draw audiences from a younger pool of viewers. However, few expect Transformers to sustain its blockbuster opening weekend. The core audience for the film is young and male, two demographics known for turning out opening weekend. After the film burns through these viewers, it's unlikely to pick up viewers through word-of-mouth or critical recommendations, the way The Dark Knight did last summer. The coming Fourth of July holiday, however, could lessen the action film's second weekend fall.

The other new release on the list, My Sister's Keeper, performed below expectations, earning $12 million and fifth place in the top ten. With mixed reviews critically (it's tracking 49% on Rotten Tomatoes), this film will have to rely on word-of-mouth to influence female viewers in weeks to come.

Perhaps the first film about the Iraq War to do well at the box office, The Hurt Locker earned $36,000 per screen, $10,000 more than #1 film Transformers. With only four screens in its current release, this film is poised to become a breakout hit as it expands. Its combination of critical acclaim and a perspective on the war that seems friendly to veterans and their families should attract the pro- and anti-war alike. This is a film to watch in coming weeks.

Among returning films, Away We Go finally cracked the top ten after four weeks in release. Like The Hurt Locker, it debuted in four theatres and earned a similarly impressive $32,000 per screen in its opening weekend. This weekend it earned $1.6 million, increasing its take 95% from last week while quadrupling the theatres in its release, to 495.

The Hangover continued its impressive run, falling just 35.7% to $17.2 million, and Star Trek also dropped 34.6%, adding another $3.46 million to its $246.2 million domestic gross.

This Wednesday, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs will have to battle with top-ten family films Up (#4, $13 million) and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (#9, $3.5 million). With over 4,000 theatres in its release, it will likely bump Night at the Museum from the top ten and Up down a few spots. For adults, Michael Mann returns to the scene of the crime with Public Enemies, which will open on 3,200 screens.