“Iron Man 3″ co-stars Don Cheadle and Gwyneth Paltrow have two different stories about the armour they wear in the movie. — Courtesy Photo

Graduating from intergalactic fend-offs, Tony Stark – and his best Tin-Suit — is bested by exploding agents and a ham-actor in terrorist garb.

Let me start by noting down that Iron Man 3 is an insult to intelligence. I am not saying that it’s bad, incongruous or abysmal in substance — far from it; what I mean is, its lack of creativity — and its sense of odd-ish black humor — is appalling; particularly more so for people in this part of terrestrial geography, and maybe for the 60 or so year of Marvel readership.

The main villain here calls himself The Mandarin — the Green Goblin to Iron Man’s Spider-Man, originally a man of mystic and science. Here, he’s an Arab-esque hoax molded in Bin Laden’s visage and a Chinese label (the original villain from Marvel, indeed hails from the land of communism).

The Mandarin is played by Ben Kingsley with put-upon theatrical oomph,a half-messy beard, and tendencies to skyjacking international television airways with terrorist memos that has inserts of him corrupting the underprivileged children in grief stricken (read: badly managed Islamic) territories.

There’s not much straying from previous two Iron Man’s legacy of substandard villainy (there has never been a “great” villain in any of the tin-plated Avenger’s solo movie); and it really makes me wish Mr. Kingsley’s agent would land him better offers — after all, he was Gandhi once (or maybe, because of it) — but there is necessity for his garb, and very anti-American actions.

While Mr. Kingsley sustains the mundane villain’s arc up until the radical, and shenanigan-ish, reveal, co-writers Drew Pierce and director Shane Black’s (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) screenplay beefs up his surrounding run-time by introducing Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark to nightmares and sporadic panic attacks — especially when someone mentions New York or blue worm-holes in the sky.

As it eventually had to happen, Mr. Downey Jr., who is adept at playing the frantic, finally gets to bring the part to Tony Starks spoiled-brat eccentricity. Unsurprisingly Mr. Downey Jr.’s genius pulls off Tony’s post-Avenger psychological mayhem with muted alacrity, and a smidge of very in-character wit.

Tony’s mental welfare is interjected with interconnecting subplots to a scientific breakthrough called Extremis — a wunderkind breakthrough developed by Tony’s old flame scientist Maya Hensen (a wasted Rebecca Hall) which rejuvenates crippled limbs if the host’s body manages to hold the drug; a side-effect of the Extremis program is that its survivors gain superheating ability and near-invincibility.

Extremis is backed by corporate villain-cum-scientist Aldrich Killian and owner of Advanced Idea Mechanics (Guy Pearce, in his second time as a rich antihero), who makes a brief play for Pepper Potts (Gwyenth Paltrow), the able headed CEO of Stark Industries and Tony’s only sincere squeeze, now under the charge of his former bodyguard Happy Hogan (producer Jon Favreau, a little over-weight).

Mr. Black and Mr. Pearce’s screenplay has an oversupply of material to pick, choose and compound components from: the Extremis angle comes from the comic arc by writer Warren Ellis and artistAdiGranov; Tony’s nerviness, an annex from The Avengers; a brief father-son/buddy act with Ty Simpkins (in mid second act) from just about any successful blockbuster — and of course the advancing Iron Man armor, which grows a notch into its own creepy person.

The armor, fully suited up is radio controlled by Tony. In-synch from its prelude in The Avengers, the suit runs to Tony like a trained cocker spaniel (the suit’s miscalculated latch-on is an effective running gag, by the way).

Like Tony, there’s a visible self-aware growth in Iron Man armor’s, that’s one part design and one part nod to the comic book mythos.
It is also, without dumbfounding surprise, the other ace in the hole that presents Iron Man 3 with 3 evenly spaced, pricy set-pieces. One of them has a fantastic slow motion sequence of Tony’s cliff-side house, bombarded to smithereens; the other, a mid-air rescue from a crashing Air Force One; and the climatic brawl is between exploding AIM agents and a gazillion Iron Men proxies.

While Iron Man 3 loses its footing once or twice, it is, outside of The Avengers, the most exciting and gratifyingly loud of the franchise. Three movies down, I’ve decided to let comic continuity bygones be bygones and just accept the after-taste. I may hate myself in the morning, but I’m loving it right now.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley.

Directed by Shane Black, Produced by Kevin Feige, Screenplay by Drew Pearce, Mr. Black (Based on Iron Man by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck and Jack Kirby; and Extremis by Warren Ellis and AdiGranov).With Music by Brian Tyler, Cinematography by John Toll, Editing by Jeffrey Ford, Peter S. Elliot.

Released by Walt Disney Picture and Footprint Entertainment,“Iron Man 3” is rated PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Children may pester for another viewing and a flying suit of armor that can automatically split and re-assemble on-cue.

The movie, playing worldwide, is releases in Pakistan on the 17th and tomorrow in North America.

Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr. posing with an iron Man figurine during a promotional event for the movie ”Iron Man 3” at the Forbidden City in Beijing. —Photo (File) AFP

PARIS: Cinematic super hero and tech genius he may be, but Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. on Monday confessed that unlike co-star Gwyneth Paltrow he can’t speak French.

Paltrow, who mastered a British accent for several roles in the 1990s, showed off her linguistic skills at a news conference in Paris, answering questions about the “Iron Man 3” film in fluent French.

But Downey told reporters: “I would have spoken French but I was raised by wolves. I am an animal.

“She (Paltrow) went to all these nice schools… (but) they didn’t teach French in jail,” said the star, who years ago spent time in prison for using drugs.

The film, which also features Don Cheadle, Rebecca Hall, Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley as villain ‘the Mandarin’, is part of the billion-dollar franchise from Disney subsidiary Marvel Studios.

The first two films took $1.2 billion dollars at the box office worldwide.

The latest film was co-produced by a Chinese film company and partly filmed in China.

China has become the holy grail for Hollywood film studios eager to cash in on a potentially hugely lucrative market that boasts the fastest growing movie box office in the world.

In 2011, cinemas in China raked in more than 13 billion yuan (1.6 billion euros, $2 billion), a nearly 30 per cent increase from 2010, the state Xinhua news agency has reported.

“Iron Man 3” opens in France on April 24, in the UK on April 26 and in the US on May 3.

List of the 85th annual Academy Award winners announced Sunday in Los Angeles

From left, Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, winners of the award for best movie for “The Hunger Games,” pose at the People’s Choice Awards.–Photo by AP

LOS ANGELES: Post-apocalyptic action film “The Hunger Games” was the big winner at the People’s Choice Awards, picking up five awards including favorite movie of the year, while singer Katy Perry again led in the music categories.

Hosted by “The Big Bang Theory” actress Kaley Cuoco, the People’s Choice Awards named winners in more than 40 categories across film, television and music. About 475 million fans voted through the People’s Choice website.

“The Hunger Games,” based on the trilogy of novels by Suzanne Collins, beat out “The Avengers,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Snow White and the Huntsman” for the coveted favorite movie accolade.

Jennifer Lawrence, who plays “Hunger Games” heroine Katniss Everdeen, won the favorite movie actress award over Mila Kunis, Emma Stone, Anne Hathaway and Scarlett Johansson.

“Thank you for loving movies as much as I do, and loving this movie and voting,” Lawrence said.

“The Hunger Games” was also named favorite action film and favorite movie franchise, while its stars Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth won favorite on-screen chemistry.

The People’s Choice is the first of Hollywood’s annual awards shows, but unlike the Oscars or the Golden Globes, the winners are determined by fans, so it provides few insights into likely winners of the movie industry’s top honors in February.

Naomi Watts, left, presents the award for favorite movie actor to Robert Downey Jr. at the People’s Choice Awards.–Photo by AP

“The Avengers,” which was nominated in eight categories, didn’t go home empty-handed. Robert Downey Jr. was named favorite movie actor for his role as Iron Man in the superhero ensemble box office hit.

“You’ve chosen wisely,” the actor joked on stage.

Adam Sandler picked up the fan favorite award for comedic actor, while former “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston picked up the favorite comedic movie actress award, beating out Mila Kunis, Reese Witherspoon, Emily Blunt and Cameron Diaz.

“I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to be honored with this, after supporting me for almost 20 years,” Aniston said.

Emma Watson of “Harry Potter” fame picked up the favorite dramatic actress accolade for her role in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

“Perks” was also named favorite dramatic movie, while “Ted,” the raunchy R-rated comedy from “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane, was named favorite comedy film.

Music and Television winners

Katy Perry took home four trophies this year, including favorite female artist and a surprise win for favorite pop artist over Justin Bieber.

Fan favorite Taylor Swift beat out Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood for favorite country artist.

“You guys have blown my mind with what you’ve done with this album ‘Red.’ I want to thank you for caring about my music and me,” the singer said in her acceptance speech.

Singer Taylor Swift accepts the award for “Favorite Country Artist” at the 2013 People’s Choice Awards.–Photo by Reuters

Her chart-topping album “Red,” which the singer based on her experiences, was one of 2012′s top-sellers. The singer attended the awards alone following a widely reported split from boyfriend Harry Styles of UK boy band One Direction.

Maroon 5 picked up the favorite band award. The band’s popularity skyrocketed in 2012 after lead singer Adam Levine served as a judge on television talent show “The Voice.”

British boy band The Wanted won favorite breakout artist.

In the television categories, CBS comedy “The Big Bang Theory” was named favorite network comedy, while ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” picked up favorite network drama.

Ellen Pompeo of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Castle” actor Nathan Fillion won the favorite TV dramatic actress and actor awards, while “Glee” stars Lea Michele and Chris Colfer picked up the favorite TV comedic actress and actor awards.

Sandra Bullock was named favorite humanitarian for her efforts in helping victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Robert Downey Jr. appeared as Iron Man earlier this summer in ”The Avengers.” — File Photo

LOS ANGELES: Production on ”Iron Man 3” is on hold after star Robert Downey Jr. hurt his foot during filming.    

Marvel Studios said Thursday that Downey was injured while performing a stunt and ”there will be a short delay in production while he recuperates.”

The 47-year-old actor is shooting the third installment in the superhero franchise in North Carolina.

”Iron Man 3” is set for release next summer. Downey plays billionaire playboy Tony Stark and Gwyneth Paltrow is his love, Pepper Potts. Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley also star.

Downey also appeared as his Stark/Iron Man character earlier this summer in ”The Avengers.” The actor also unveiled a clip of the forthcoming ”Iron Man’ flick at Comic-Con last month.

"The Avengers" movie poster. - File Photo

LOS ANGELES: The superhero saga “The Avengers” lived up to its blockbuster buzz with $178.4 million in overseas ticket sales days before it opens in US theaters.

Domestic audiences generally passed on a bunch of new films as fans seem to be in anticipation mode for Disney’s ”The Avengers,” which debuts Friday in the United States after launching in 39 other countries a week earlier.

The huge overseas launch will help fan the frenzy already in place for ”The Avengers,” the superhero mash-up of Marvel Comics idols whose cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson.

”You hope that the magnitude of this kind of opening sends a signal that this is a for-everyone film,” said Dave Hollis, head of distribution for Disney. ”You can’t put up these kinds of numbers if it’s just for guys or just for the fans. These numbers say that it is for everyone, 8 to 80.”

Romantic comedy “Think Like a Man” easily beat four new films to win the US and Canadian box office race for a second time leading domestic charts with an $18.0 million total from Friday through Sunday, according to studio estimates compiled by Reuters on Sunday.

Big-budget, effects-filled “Avengers” hauled in a massive $178.4 million since Wednesday from theaters in 39 international markets, Walt Disney Co said. The 3D film from Disney’s Marvel studio set opening-weekend records in 12 territories including Mexico and Brazil and opening-day records in four countries.

“Avengers” reaches North American (US and Canadian) theaters on Friday to kick off the summer movie season. Box office forecasters predict super-sized sales that will rival this year’s record set by teen death match drama “The Hunger Games,” a blockbuster that debuted in March with $152.5 million domestically.

Anticipation for “Avengers” likely kept many filmgoers home from multiplexes this weekend, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box office division of Hollywood.com. Overall ticket sales slumped 30 percent from the same weekend last year.

“It just seemed like audiences are saving their time and money for next weekend” and the “Avengers” debut, he said.

“Think Like a Man” brought its 10-day sales to $60.9 million. The movie features an ensemble cast and is based on a best-selling relationship guide by comedian Steve Harvey.

Among the newcomers, animated family film “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” performed best with $11.4 million and second place. The film cost about $55 million to make. Total sales overseas, where the movie has been playing since late March, rang up at $75.1 million through Sunday.

Close behind in third place, love story “The Lucky One” took in $11.32 million domestically during its second weekend in theaters.

Action movie “The Hunger Games” slipped to fourth with $11.25 million. Worldwide sales to date reached $601 million, distributor Lions Gate Entertainment Corp said.

“Five-Year Engagement” opened at a disappointing No. 5 with $11.2 million, slightly below projections by Universal Pictures for the low-teens. The movie stars Jason Segel and Emily Blunt as a couple whose walk down the aisle runs into repeated interruptions. Audiences had a lukewarm reception, grading the movie a “B-minus” in polling by survey firm CinemaScore.

Universal and privately held Relativity Media produced “Five-Year Engagement” for about $30 million. “A reasonably priced film that slightly underperforms is not the worst thing in world,” said Nikki Rocco, Universal’s president of distribution.

New thriller “Safe” secured $7.7 million and the No. 6 slot. The movie stars Jason Statham as a former elite agent who takes on a mission to rescue a kidnapped girl. Another new thriller, “The Raven” starring John Cusack as Edgar Allen Poe, landed in seventh place with $7.3 million.

Sony Corp’s film studio distributed “Think Like a Man” and “Pirates! Band of Misfits.” Time Warner Inc’s Warner Bros. studio released “The Lucky One.” “The Five-Year Engagement” was distributed by Universal Pictures, a unit of Comcast Corp.

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp released “Hunger Games” and “Safe.” Privately held Relativity Media released “The Raven” in the United States, and Alliance Films distributed the movie in Canada.

In this image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Jared Harris portraying Professor James Moriarty, left, and Robert Downey Jr., portraying Sherlock Holmes, are shown in a scene from “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” Moriarty, who has loomed as the grandfather of all super-villains, is played with cool, quiet, chilling detachment by Jared Harris. - AP Photo

LOS ANGELES: A new adventure of Sherlock Holmes and the famous detective’s loyal sidekick Watson landed on top of North American box office charts over the weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday.

The British-American action mystery film directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law grossed $40 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.

“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” is a sequel to the 2009 film “Sherlock Holmes” about the character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

For its opening weekend, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” earned a disappointing $23.5 million, still enough to land it in second place. It was the third animated film about the singing chipmunks.

Tom Cruise action feature “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” had a $13 million start, playing in some 425 IMAX and other large-format screen theaters.

Falling to fourth, last week’s winner “New Year’s Eve” earned $7.4 million.

The star-studded holiday romance features Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron, with appearances by Robert de Niro and Halle Barry.

That pushed it ahead of adult comedy “The Sitter,” with Jonah Hill starring as a reluctant babysitter. It raked in $4.4 million.

Blockbuster vampire heart-throb flick “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1,” came in sixth. It rang up $4.3 million in its fifth weekend in theaters, for a total of $266.4 million so far.

Charlize Theron drama “Young Adult,” directed by Jason Reitman earned $3.7 million after expanding its showings from just eight theaters to nearly 1,000 this weekend.

Theron stars as a fiction writer who returns to small town Minnesota after her divorce in hopes to win back the heart of an ex-boyfriend – played by Patrick Wilson – who is now married with children.

Dropping two spots to eighth was Martin Scorsese’s first 3-D film “Hugo.”The adventure drama based on Brian Selznick’s novel “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” about a boy who lives alone in a Paris railway station $3.6 million.

It came ahead of animated family comedy “Arthur Christmas,” about Santa’s son tasked with completing a mission by Christmas morning. The film pulled in $3.6 million.

Rounding out the top 10 was “The Muppets,” based on Jim Henson’s puppet characters, which grossed $3.5 million for its fourth week in theaters.