When I gave the new “Transformers” sequel a mixed review, acknowledging its technical heft but criticizing its ideological emptiness ^[1], it turns out I was being nicer than most other critics. The movie, which earned more than $200 million through its first weekend, is on track to earn at least $400 million–in which case it would become the worst reviewed movie in the all-time Top 10 list of moneymakers. On the consensus Web site Rotten Tomatoes, the percentage of reviews of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” that are rated “fresh” (i.e., “favorable”) is a dismal 20 percent.

Some readers insist that critics are out of touch with public tastes; yet a new analysis by the Associated Press ^[2] shows that the highest grossing movies of all time received overwhelmingly positive reviews on  Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic ^[3]:

Of the eight movies that have grossed more than $400 million domestically, four scored 90 percent or higher on Rottentomatoes: “The Dark Knight,” “Spider-Man,” “E.T. the Extra-terrestrial” and “Star Wars.” Two others, “Shrek 2″ and “Titanic,” topped 80 percent.

The other two had mixed reviews but still came in far higher than “Revenge of the Fallen,” with “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” scoring 63 percent and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” rating 53 percent.

This year’s biggest hits so far had terrific scores, “Up” with 97 percent and “Star Trek” with 95 percent. Both movies have grossed about $250 million, a number the “Transformers” sequel will soar past by next weekend.

Like most of my peers, I gave positive reviews to “Up,” “Star Trek” and the other breakout hit of the summer, “The Hangover.” (I also said that “Transformers 2″ delivered a lot of bang for the buck–I just wanted a little less bang and a little more brain. “The Dark Knight” proved that they could co-exist.)

As I always say, in matters of personal taste, there is no right or wrong, and I urge readers to consult the consensus sites. Critics aren’t outsiders–they’re just reasonably literate people who see a lot of movies. If most of them hate or love a movie, it turns out the public often feels the same way.

Except, perhaps, in the case of “Transformers 2.”