Microsoft’s attempt to cater to the casual audience has often been up and down in terms of quality. While You’re In the Movies and Lips haven’t received an overwhelming reception from the critics, Microsoft’s iterations of the Scene It? franchise continue to impress in terms of entertainment value and hitting target mark. Well in Scene It? Box Office Smash, Microsoft has delivered the right amount of thrills for gamers to achieve their own fifteen minutes of fame.

If you’re worried about losing to movie buffs, then worry not because Box Office Smash is an easy game to pick up and play without knowing every movie release in the past 80-90 years. With a 25 percent chance of getting the answer right, it’s as easy as your tests were in grade school – if you don’t know the answer, then just pick ‘C’! But even with that knowledge in hand, you still might want to come into the game with a little movie knowledge since that’s what Box Office Smash is entirely based on.  Throughout the four rounds of play, it’s a guarantee that you’ll run into a puzzle with questions based on a film you’ve seen before.

New features in Box Office Smash aren’t gigantic improvements but rather necessary refinements. Removed from the original game are the annoying questions that require gamers to identify a movie star by their high school photograph. The removal of this questionnaire isn’t going to break anyone’s heart due to that there were so very few questions in the original that were repeated only after a few games. The other feature that was removed was the point deductions for incorrect answers during a puzzle thus making it a little friendlier to first-time players. But alas, the additions will suffice in holding your attention such as Xbox Live and the use of Avatars.

The Xbox Live portion doesn’t allow for guests to jump in with you online, but it is indeed a step in the right direction as online was one of the biggest demands from the fans. With the inclusion of the stat-tracking feature, gamers can see how match up against the best players online – there’s also offline stat-tracking – by knowing how many wins and losses they have along with how many questions they have answered either correctly or incorrectly. Avatars on the other hand aren’t a huge addition, but seeing your character on the screen celebrating their victory after each round is entertaining for the first few hours.

Speaking about the first few hours, gamers should expect to once again run into the same questions on movies they’ve answered previously. This repetition will wear thin on your patience, but introducing the title to your friends who’ve never played the game won’t know that the questions are often repeated after about three to four hours of gameplay. With the sheer easiness of the four Big Button Controllers and the simplicity of the puzzles, Box Office Smash is a brilliant party game to pull out when you have friends and family over.

The movies featured in Box Office Smash are new as of 2008 with a few references to upcoming 2009 films. From the independent darling Juno to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, there are dozens upon dozens of fresh films to watch clips on and answer questions to. If you’re a fan of movies of yesteryear then you need not worry as movies such as Backdraft, Jurassic Park, Rosemary’s Baby, Grease and much more are included.

Having not change all that much in comparison to the original Scene It? the biggest draw to pick up Box Office Smash is the chance to see new film clips and play online. Krome Studios and Microsoft need to get their act together fast with new download content so gamers have more reasons to return to Box Office Smash after they run through all the questions. If you’ve loved the original, then make sure to pick up Scene It? Box Office Smash as it doesn’t differ in gameplay but rather in the puzzles, movies and questions.

Gameplay: 8.0
If you’ve played the original, then you won’t notice many changes. But the fact of the matter remains that Box Office Smash is one of the more entertaining party games on the Xbox 360.

Graphics: 6.5
The menus are clean but they aren’t exactly sleek.

Sound: 6.5
The announcer isn’t nearly as funny as he used to be and the sound effects needs more spice.

Difficulty: Easy / Medium
If you’re savvy with your film knowledge, then Box Office Smash will be a breeze.

Concept: 7.5
Trivia games aren’t the most original concept, but as a party game for the Xbox 360, Scene It? Box Office Smash succeeds at amusing large crowds.

Multiplayer: 8.0
Invite three friends over – or more if you want to alternate – and you’ll be in for a good time.

Overall: 7.5
If, and when, download content ever arrives for Box Office Smash, then the replay value of the title will increase. But as it stands right now, it’s great to bring out when you have friends over for a party.