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Underperformer
Alongside Bad Boys, The Island is one of just two films Bay's directed that didn't gross more than $100 million in the US. But whereas Bad Boys picked up "just" $65 million, it only cost $19 million to make, The Island took in $35 million in the U.S. - off a budget of $126 million. As such, The Island is viewed as Bay's only real flop, but almost amazingly, it still made money. How? For starters, there's the horrifically blatant product placement, which included the likes of Cisco Systems, MSN Search, Calvin Klein, Xbox, Puma, Reebok, Miller Light, NBC, NFL, Budweiser, Michelob, Apple, Aquafina, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Mack, Coca-Cola, Speedo, TAG Heuer, Amtrak, Ben & Jerry's, and Nokia. Then there're the international receipts, which rang the tills to the tune of $127 million. In other words, the overseas takings alone covered the Bay-sized budget. And perhaps that's the power of a Michael Bay film: if he blows shit up, they will come...
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