Tulsa World: 'Transformers 2' climbs hit charts

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'Transformers 2' climbs hit charts

"Transformers 2" will join the list of top 10 box office movies this weekend. But is it worthy? Courtesy

By MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer
Published: 7/24/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 7/24/2009 4:05 AM

Excerpted from Michael Smith's "I See Movies for Free" blog. Read it.

As "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" continues to climb the all-time movie money-making chart, a legitimate question should be pondered: Is this bucket of robotic bolts the worst box-office champ ever?

Consider the top 10 box-office movies, a list which "Transformers 2" (at $363.8 million through last Sunday) will join this weekend.

1. "Titanic," $600.8 million

2. "The Dark Knight," $533.3 million

3. "Star Wars," $461.0 million

4. "Shrek 2," $441.2 million

5. "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial," $435.1 million

6. "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace," $431.1 million

7. "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," $423.3 million

8. "Spider-Man," $403.7 million

9. "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith," $380.3 million

10. "The Lord of the Rings — The Return of the King," $377.0 million

The answer, in a word, is yes: This summer's "Transformers," a crashing, gnashing, gear-grinding escapade in CGI excess masking the lack of a story or interesting characters, is lamer than any megahit on this list.

"Titanic" and the "Lord of the Rings" film each won best picture and own 11 Oscars apiece. The original "Star Wars" and "E.T." are beloved classics also nominated for the big prize.

There were many — myself included — who considered "The Dark Knight" the best picture of 2008. "Shrek 2" was an animated joy. Many favor "Spider-Man 2" over the first Spidey flick, but the original was no slouch artistically. While that "Pirates of the Caribbean" episode was waaaay too long, it had a deckful of fun characters.

Which leaves those two second-generation "Star Wars" films. OK, which really leaves "The Phantom Menace," the inferior sequel-prequel-whatever you want to call that edition of George Lucas' movies.

And it's not close. Jar Jar Binks? Please. "Revenge of the Fallen" often fills the screen with annoying scrap-metal worthy of such ridicule, and the picture does so without a hero as interesting as Liam Neeson's Qui-Gon, a villain as compelling as Darth Maul or a female presence as talented as Natalie Portman.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" isn't just bad, it's historically atrocious. By MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer

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	Report Comment SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (7/24/2009 8:26:29 AM) Seriously. People didn't go see Transformers 2 for its' intricate subplots or some historical drama. People went to see it to see big robots beat each other up, Megan Fox scantily clad, and share the updated version of thier childhood cartoon. People look into movies way too much. The simple fact is this movie is entertaining and people keep seeing it. Most movies are supposed to be a break from reality. You don't have to think about the movie, you just have to enjoy it. How can hundreds of millions of dollars be wrong?
	Report Comment The Man, Broken Arrow (7/24/2009 3:11:52 PM) This is where I depart from critics. They want art...I want escapist entertainment. Usually the TW folks can suppress their critic inclinations, but there seems to be a lot of harping on and on about this flick.
	Report Comment SnowNinja, Tulsa (7/24/2009 4:18:14 PM) Ha ha I totally agree. I saw it and love it. The plot involves ALIEN ROBOTS that talk and TRANSFORM into vehicles. When it that plot ever going to make sense? Unless your a kid or was a kid who grew up with them! Next one better have the Dinobots!
	Report Comment T!ger,, Tulsa (7/24/2009 10:43:03 PM) I saw this movie with the family the first week it was out. I loved it! Now everytime a semi truck comes by it looks like it's going to form into optomusprime. LOL!

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