Iron Man 3 Breaks Philippine Box Office Records

via press release

Tony Stark singlehandedly broke all existing box-office records in the Philippines, as Marvel's Iron Man 3 grossed a monumental P305.96-million in five days – the biggest opening weekend EVER and the fastest time to reach the P300-M mark in local history!
This was announced today by Victor R. Cabrera, Managing Director of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Philippines, which distributed the film.

We are elated and proud of this remarkable achievement,” said Cabrera. “Marvel has crafted a spectacular film and this just adds to Disney and Marvel’s commitment in keeping the property evergreen. You see Marvel and Iron Man everywhere, in movie theatres, on TV, malls, in retail, publishing, etc. You see people in Iron Man t-shirts, kids playing with Iron Man toys. Filipinos are just true Iron Man fans. We cannot be happier with the way the Filipino consumer is embracing the movie and the property.”
“Iron Man 3” opened across the country April 24 with a stunning P62.9-M which obliterated two box-office records – the highest opening day ever (beating 2007's “Spider-Man 3”) and all-time most successful Wednesday (surpassing “Marvel's The Avengers”).

From then on, the film never looked back – smashing single-day records one after another, specifically, biggest Thursday (P48-M), Friday (P48.41-M), Saturday (P71.94-M) and Sunday (P74.63-M). All previous records were established last year by “Marvel's The Avengers.”

Disney rolled out “Iron Man 3” in more than 500 cinemas throughout the archipelago and in 3D, 2D, IMAX 3D and 35mm formats. Getting the lion's share of gross receipts was SM Mall of Asia (P19.56-M), followed by SM North EDSA (P17.69-M) and Trinoma (P13.11-M). Not to be outdone are SM Megamall (P12.58-M), Glorietta 4 (P9.11-M), SM Southmall (P7.85-M), Newport (P6.35-M), SM Fairview (P6.29-M), Eastwood (P5.99-M) and Power Plant (P5.82-M). Also posting impressive receipts are Alabang Town Center (P5.81-M), Greenbelt 3 (P5.73-M), SM Clark (P5.30-M), Market! Market! (P5.10-M), Gateway (P4.89-M), SM Marikina (P4.28-M), Shang Cineplex (P4.20-M), Robinsons Ermita (P4.156-M), SM San Lazaro (P4.154-M) and Robinsons Galleria (P4.02-M).

Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book Super Hero Iron Man, who first appeared on the pages of “Tales of Suspense” (#39) in 1963 and had his solo comic book debut with “The Invincible Iron Man” (#1) in May of 1968, “Iron Man 3” returns Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, the iconic Super Hero, along with Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle as James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Guy Pearce as Aldrich Killian, Rebecca Hall as Maya Hansen, Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan and Ben Kingsley as The Mandarin.

Now playing across the Philippines, “Iron Man 3” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures and DMG Entertainment. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

 

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Review: Iron Man 3

This review is originally published at Pinoyexchange

When Iron Man came out 5 years ago it surprised the industry. The superhero, while popular with comic book fans, was not as known as Batman and Superman were to the general public. It was not expected to set box office records but it proved many people wrong. Iron Man was the start of what would become a billion-dollar superhero movie franchise that culminated with the very successful The Avengers last year. Iron Man 3 is said to be the beginning of Marvel Studio's Phase 2 and it definitely starts off with a bang.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) struggles with anxiety attacks and sleep deprivation months after the events in The Avengers. He chooses to stay out of the limelight and keeps himself busy updating his Iron Man gear while girlfriend Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) manages his business. But it all changes when he impulsively challenges terrorist The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) on national TV. When The Mandarin attacks his home, Tony is caught off guard and the world he knows for so long is completely shattered. Presumed dead by the public and without the convenience of his advanced devices, Tony must fight his way back with the limited resources at his disposal.

In Iron Man 3, we get to know more of Tony Stark outside his cool demeanor (and suit) as we see him defenseless and very vulnerable. It's an effective way to see the character, who had been in 3 movies already, in a new light as it prevents the character from becoming stale (which was the common criticism with long running movie franchises). This plot point also raises the stakes higher and makes for a more compelling story. However, there's an important plot twist in the movie which might polarize viewers especially the longtime readers of the comic books. It involves the handling of character which was very different from the comic books. As a non-comic book reader, the change did not bother me at all and I think that the twist with that character worked out perfectly fine with the plot. However, the twist weakens the 'threat' which had a very powerful setup. It's quite hard to dig deeper with the subject without spoiling anything so all I can say that it is best to watch the movie without being exposed to spoilers.

There's nothing much to left to say about Robert Downey Jr's performance as Tony Stark as he really made the character his own. Of course he easily pulls off Tony's sarcastic remarks and endearing quirks but Iron Man 3 had a bigger emphasis on characterization and emotion but Downey rose to the occasion and effectively played Stark's vulnerability. Paltrow and Cheadle were good as well as their chemistry with Downey is still strong. However, the standouts in the film are Ben Kingsley and Guy Pearce as they give their full commitment to their respective roles. Kingsley in particular shows his impressive range as this movie proves even more that he can pretty much play any role he is given to.

As for the visual effects, it is very polished and a pure spectacle. There are two noteworthy sequences which are mind blowing. The first one was The Mandarin's attack on Tony's house, a devastating set piece which will leave you breathless and the other one was the rescue of passengers after falling from an airplane. The way they pulled that scene off is just amazing as it was nerve-wracking but exciting at the same time.

The blockbuster season officially starts and what a way to begin with a movie as entertaining as Iron Man 3. Other than the twist which might be jarring to some, Iron Man 3 delivered with its spectacular action set pieces, witty dialogue and unwavering energy from start to finish.

Rating: 9 / 10

Join the Iron Man 3 discussion at Pinoyexchange! Visit the Iron Man 3 Thread.

 ****

Previous reviews:
It Takes a Man and a Woman  
Aparisyon
The Croods

Must Be Love

Oz The Great and Powerful
A Moment in Time 

"IRON MAN 3" Grosses P62.6M on Opening Day, Breaks All-time Record

via press release

MANILA, April 25 – Tony Stark rewrote the record books, as Marvel's “Iron Man 3” debuted yesterday to a stunning P62.6-million – the biggest first-day gross ever in Philippine history, foreign or local film.

This was announced today by Victor R. Cabrera, Managing Director of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Philippines, which distributed the movie.

“`Iron Man 3' flew off the box office chart, soaring past the stratosphere to break the country's all-industry, all-time Opening Day records,” said Cabrera. “P62-M in one day is previously unheard of. What a boost to the industry!”

The third “Iron Man” installment surpassed the opening day record of “Spider-Man 3” at P58-million which was achieved on a May 1 Labor Day holiday back in 2007.

“Iron Man 3” now also owns the biggest Wednesday gross ever in history, the biggest Marvel/Disney opening day ever, beating “Marvel's The Avenger's” record of P56-M last year.

To put this further in perspective, the opening day gross of “Iron Man 3” is double that of “Iron Man 2.”

Marve/Disney projects “Iron Man 3” to continue doing outstanding box-office business towards the weekend.

Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book Super Hero Iron Man, who first appeared on the pages of “Tales of Suspense” (#39) in 1963 and had his solo comic book debut with “The Invincible Iron Man” (#1) in May of 1968, “Iron Man 3” returns Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, the iconic Super Hero, along with Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle as James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Guy Pearce as Aldrich Killian, Rebecca Hall as Maya Hansen, Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan and Ben Kingsley as The Mandarin.

Now playing across the Philippines in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and regular theatres, “Iron Man 3” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures and DMG Entertainment. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Join the Iron Man 3 discussion at Pinoyexchange! Visit the Iron Man 3 Thread.