Trends of the top ten movies have a pattern, shown in movies this summer!

Hero · 06-14-2007, 05:14 PM

I had read what Will Smith had to say in a sorta recent interview with Reader's Digest when it came out, but I was reminded of something he said on this page when the trailers for Transformers came out:

Quote:

I am kind of a student of the patterns of the universe. When my partner, James Lassiter, and I came to Hollywood, I said, "I want to be the biggest movie star in the world." We observed that of the top ten movies of all time, ten were special effects or animation. Nine were special effects or animation with creatures. Eight were special effects or animation with creatures and a love story. So we made Independence Day. When you see the patterns, you just try to put yourself in the position to get lucky.

I had heard that Will thought Shia LeBoeuf was at least a pretty cool actor, and that's part of why he was in "I, Robot". Now, after seeing that Shia is in Transformers, ya gotta think that Will was maybe even mentoring Shia a little!

Let's see, how many elements of the top ten movies are included in Transformers, or at least appear to be?

Special effects or animation? Wait! Maybe it's all real, live-action footage! Just kidding. Check.
Special effects or animation with creatures? Well, the Transformers are creatures of a sort, right?
Special effects or animation with creatures and a love story? Shia's with Megan Fox in this one, so there's at least the love interest... But in real life, would Brian Austin Green's gal go for Shia?

I also noticed and thought it was interesting that both Independence Day and Transformers have a Fox.

Whether TPTB of the respective movies were or weren't aware of the trend, I can at least name a few this year that (probably) get a full set o' checkmarks:
Transformers, PotC:AWE, Spider-man 3, F4:RotSS, HP:OotP, and (fittin' the criteria, at least) Shrek the Third

So judgin' by the "ingredients" of a top ten movie, what are some other movies (not limited to this year) that fit the bill? In a previous year, I would've thought "Serenity" was successful, since it fit the pattern (Reavers are creatures, aren't they?) and had a lotta other great elements goin' for it... Which movies do ya think'll be successful? And do ya think there are successful movies that don't follow the formula?

Just wonderin' whatcha thought; I just thought Will was a pretty bright fellow for figuring it all out!

Mathsorcerer · 06-14-2007, 05:23 PM

A movie with CGI and/or creatures that features some action, a few good one-liners, and a love story maximizes its appeal to a widely-varying audience. This translates directly into ticket sales.

The_Heroic_Loser · 06-14-2007, 05:29 PM

Transformers will kill at the box office. It won't make Spider-man money, but it'll still turn a huge profit.

Matthew Triggs · 06-16-2007, 02:18 PM

In the UK, we don't seem too excited by it. I think the British public no longer cares, or has never heard of transformers.

The_Heroic_Loser · 06-16-2007, 03:22 PM

Yeah, I don't think Transformers is really a European thing. It's hugely popular in Japan and America though.

Sam · 06-16-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Heroic_Loser

Transformers will kill at the box office. It won't make Spider-man money, but it'll still turn a huge profit.

No way, THL. It'll DESTROY Spiderman. Just you wait.

The_Heroic_Loser · 06-16-2007, 05:27 PM

lol, you're awfully confident about it....

Sam · 06-16-2007, 08:09 PM

I'm just thinking that there are WAAAAAAAAY more former geeks like myself who grew up with Transformers than they ever did Spidey. And those trailers? Wow. Every single trailer I've seen for the movie has been better than the last. This thing will DOMINATE!!!!

The_Heroic_Loser · 06-16-2007, 08:35 PM

Yeah, but it's not as popular among the young audience. I grew up watching Transformers, as well as a couple of my friends, but we're part of a vast minority. Plus, I don't think it'll be as huge in Europe as Spidey was.

Sam · 06-16-2007, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Heroic_Loser

Yeah, but it's not as popular among the young audience. I grew up watching Transformers, as well as a couple of my friends, but we're part of a vast minority. Plus, I don't think it'll be as huge in Europe as Spidey was.

You're talking apples and oranges, THL. Spidey is in its third installment. Most people in Europe probably had no idea what "Spider-Man" was when it first came out, too. And you don't have to know Transformers to get all geeked out at the sight of TRANSFORMING FRAKKIN' ROBOTS!!!!! Dude, those robots are transforming! Holy crap!!

That's uber geekness for any age.

And you're right, it's going to KILL in Asia, especially Korea and Japan, which is probably why they're going to open the movie there first.