Vaughn On Movies – The World's Toughest Movie Critic™

It’s starting to look like the biggest blockbuster of the year is about kids being sent into a forest for a… battle royale, to the death. Actually they spend more time rubbing petroleum jelly on each other than fighting. Meanwhile the HBIC, Head Botanist in Charge, is whispering orders on how to modify the game.

There most certainly is a lesson to be learned from The Hunger Games making a mockery of the debuts of Wrath of the Titans or even Mirror Mirror. In its second week The Hunger Games grossed $61.1 million at the US domestic box office. This followed a $152 million opening weekend. Mind you this is a non-3D film that isn’t taking advantage of the trend in price gouging established by Avatar at the end of 2009. How did The Hunger Games get this done? Girls.

I’m not saying that The Dark Knight Rises is actually going to make less money, but Batman Begins didn’t start the trilogy as strong. By making a blockbuster with teenage girls in mind, Hollywood was able to also capture the attention of boys. A little bit of violence, some sci-fi elements, and a girl wanting to go to the movies with you are too much for the average bloke to resist. On the other hand, good luck guys dragging your gal pal to a movie that you wanted to see.

The trend starts now. Hollywood, as they will spin it, will listen to the female audience and produce more action-esque, sci-fi/fantasy films with strong female leads at the center since it’s already a given that guys will buy into it. It’s more efficient to fill a theatre with couples and families than just a bunch of guys. Easy money. Fellas, the long run you had dating back to Star Wars is coming to an end.