Numbers according to Box Office mojo (http://boxofficemojo.com)
Pearl Harbor :
Opening weekend: 59,078,912$
Worldwide lifetime Grosses: 449,220,945$
Budget: 150,000,000
Armageddon:
Opening weekend: 36,089,972$
Worldwide lifetime Grosses: 553,709,788$
Budget: 140,000,000
Transformers 2:
Opening weekend: 108,966,307$
Worldwide lifetime Grosses: 836,297,228$
Budget: 200,000,000
Scott Pilgrim:
Opening weekend: 10,609,795$
Worldwide lifetime Grosses: 47,664,559
Budget: 60,000,000
Kick Ass:
Opening weekend: 19,828,687$
Worldwide lifetime Grosses: 96,188,903
Budget: 30,000,000
Lets just have the numbers, because I'm getting tired of essentially repeating my argument over and over again for each page. Comparing "good movies" like Scott Pilgrim, Kick Ass etc. to Michael Bay movies you have to draw 2 seperate charts because the "good movies" won't show up on the Grosses of "bad Michael Bay movies".
Yes, everyone and their mothers cringe and moan at the mentioning of Transformers 2 and how it would be such an abomination of a movie.
Yes, I'm glad I did not go to the movies to see it.
No I will not defend it as a piece of art.
It still sits snuggly at place No.25 of most profitable movies of all times.
From all the "fanboy favorites" only "the Dark Knight", with a solid 8th place beats it.
You might as well compare Michael Bay with Peter Jackson:
http://boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Director&id=peterjackson.htm
http://boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?id=michaelbay.htm
If you'ld pick the "more successfull" director - you'ld HAVE to hire Bay judging by the numbers.
Reusing the same line time and time again: It's not about making a masterpiece, it's about making a profitable first step. Producers need to be convinced that the franchise can turn a profit before they invest.