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Transformers smashes into cinemas with record US opening

Transformers

Story by Jack Foley

MICHAEL Bay’s Transformers looks to have smashed its way to a new US box office record, if early figures are anything to go by.

The eagerly-anticipated sci-fi take on the Hasbro toys debuted with $67.6 million in ticket sales during its first weekend according to early studio estimates.

And that means it has amassed a whopping total of $152.5 million since opening with preview screenings on Monday night.

If the weekend figures are confirmed on Monday, Transformers will have posted the biggest first week opening revenues of all-time for a non-sequel, beating Spider-Man‘s $151.6 million in 2002.

That said, today’s higher ticket prices means that Spidey still attracted more people – 26.1 million compared to 22.5 million for Bay’s robots.

For anyone who doesn’t know – or who has bypassed the toys – Transformers follows the fortunes of two races of warring robots as they bring their feud to Earth. Caught in the middle are the likes of Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox – not to mention the US military.

Commenting on the movie’s winning formula for success, a delighted Rob Moore, Paramount’s head of worldwide marketing and distribution, said that the film’s striking visual effects and the Transformers brand – which debuted in the 1980s – proved an irresistible combination.

“Michael Bay created something visually that people hadn’t seen before,” he added. “When you look at a jet plane flying under a bridge then flipping and turning into a robot, those kinds of images people found incredibly unique and compelling.”

Transformers also grossed $93.6 million in 23 other countries where it has opened since June 28, meaning it has become a world-wide phenomenon. And even critics have been won over, with the majority finding something to enjoy in Bay’s latest blockbuster.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille holds firm

Of the other notable releases at US cinemas, Disney and Pixar’s latest animated romp Ratatouille held strong despite dropping to second place.

It took $29 million, thereby raising its 10-day total to $109.5 million and only falling off by 38%, as opposed to most summer blockbusters which shed 50% of second-week viewers.

What’s more, its July 2 gross of $7.5 million marked the best Monday performance ever for a Pixar movie, beating the $6.95 million that Finding Nemo took in on its best Monday.

And after six days, Ratatouille was just below the six-day, $73.3 million gross of Monsters, Inc. and was chasing the $78 million posted by Cars.

It’s no more than the little fella at the centre of the story deserves – take our word for it. Ratatouille rocks!

However, the overall American box office dipped in comparison to the same time last year, with the current top 12 movies taking $161.5 million, down 23% from last year’s total, when Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was dominant.