Originality seems like a foreign concept for most Hollywood filmmakers. Thankfully Touchstone Pictures has raised the bar considerably with Real Steel, a dynamic new action type film steeped in family values. Look at the pedigree of the creative team behind this movie and you just know positive things are about to happen. And that’s a good thing for the flawed characters in this rousing little movie that scores big on the human scale.
Right from the get go you know the lead character in this slightly science fiction tinged movie has a lot of flaws. Poor Charlie Kenton can’t seem to do anything right. Versatile Hugh Jackman (Van Helsing) shows a real vulnerable side as a loafer whose main focus in life is arranging fights for his robots. Yes robots. The film is set in a slightly futuristic time period where there’s a new form of mass entertainment where robots go at it hot and heavy in WWF style matches around the world.
Full of Spunk and Gumption is Dakota Goyo as a Son who can Teach Dad some Life Lessons
Beaten down and beaten back Charlie is a man on edge as he has little money, few friends, a long list of creditors and a largely do-nothing attitude. Even bigger problems come his way when a long lost son suddenly appears. Left to his own devices, young Max is a little boy lost without a home. Cute as a button Dakota Goyo (Thor) will steal your hearts as the young lad who turns into a pawn between rival family members.
Given a choice to make things right Charlie gets a second chance to re-connect with Max. Obstacles however often get in the way of this father/son reunion. What brings the pair into focus, however, are a number of problems they both encounter. Each person grows from their differences and vulnerabilities. Where the two really connect concerns their love for robots - especially the fighting kind! 127 minutes flies by in this tale of father/son bonding and the ups and downs they encounter along the way.
Spectacular Bouts in The Ring Show Shawn Levy's Knack for Filming Big Sequences
Brought to you by executive producer Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park) Real Steel is a heart-warming family tale all about overcoming your fears and making amends for past mistakes. Director Shawn Levy (The Pink Panther) certainly knows his way around dealing with kids and family issues and here pulls off just a terrific movie. With its unusual setting and story line Real Steel is flush full of great spectacle – and heart. Action scenes showing the robots fight it out are wonderfully choreographed and really exciting. Even the trouble Charlie encounters is well executed. You’ll be rooting for both these underdogs all the way as the seeds seem to be sown for them both to fail.
Also lending some support for our troubled Charlie is a co-robot enthusiast named Bailey Tallet, nicely brought forth in this best nurturing way by Evangeline Lilly (The Hurt Locker).
Spend some time with the boys of Real Steel and you’ll encounter unusual characters, sparkling dialogue and one of the best father/son stories in years.
Robert Waldman - Hi. I'm a film critic from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, considered to be the number one city in the world and third largest film ...
