A working definition of critic-proof, the proudly stupid and incoherent “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” which bowed at 12:01 this morning, is widely expected to demolish box office records. Both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter are saying Hollywood antichrist Michael Bay‘s heavy metal spectacular will likely top the $152.4 five-day mark for a movie opening on Wednesday set by “Spider-Man 2,” despite only 22 percent positive reviews at
(My
review ran yesterday). “ROTF” already has $20 million in the bank from its openings last weekend in the U.K. and Japan and online ticket-sellers are reporting many sold out playdates in North America. With “ROTF” skipping the 7 p.m. opening of its predecessor, which rolled up $155.4 in 6 1/2 days, the opening day gross for “ROTF” could top the $44.2 million record set by “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” So far in 2009, so film has reached even $100 million during its opening weekend, despite weekly proclamations about how well Hollywood is weathering the recession.
