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Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Once in a while, there comes a movie that is quite entertaining and makes you sit back and go, “Damn! That was a pretty good movie.” Real Steel is one of those movies that are entertaining. I actually had a great time watching this film. The film is literally a combination of BattleBots and Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. If you have never seen BattleBots, the show was freakin AWESOME. You should take some time to watch it. The show is about competitors who built, designed, and operated remote-controlled armed and armored machines designed to fight in an arena combat elimination tournament. The best part about it was when one robot got absolutely DESTROYED in the ring and crushed. Who didn’t love Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots? I remember sitting with my friends, trying to make my opponent’s robot head pop up. That game is a total classic and should be played by all kids. Real Steel is a film that combines all of that in a very entertaining way.
In the year 2020, the sport of boxing has changed forever. People have become uninterested in boxing, other sports, and the new king of sports is robot boxing. Robots fight each other while being controlled by someone else. Charlie Kenton (Jackman) is a former boxer who is having a tough time adjusting to the new world/sport and seems to not find the best robot for him. He actually lost many fights and owes a significant debt. Charlie’s life changes when he learns that his ex from way back has recently died. She didn’t tell him he had a 10-year-old son named Max (Goyo). Not wanting Max, his ex’s sister, wants to take him in, but Charlie has first said in the matter. Seeing a way to pay off his debt by buying a brand new robot, Charlie asks his ex’s sister husband for money in exchange for turning Max over to them. The only thing is that the family wants to go on vacation before taking Max. Charlie must take care of Max for the summer. During one of the fights, Charlie’s brand new robot is destroyed in a fight. Charlie and Max go to the scrap yard for parts, where Max finds an old-generation robot named Atom and restores him. Max wants to make Atom the primary fighting robot, which Charlie gives Max the chance to prove. During a fight, Atom wins, and it isn’t long before Atom is getting major bouts. As Atom wins, soon Charlie and Max start forming a father and son bond. That bond is tested when the undefeated robot champion is next in line.
The story of this film is one of the most standard stories of all. The dad is trying to get rich quick and is obsessed with the way he is making money. This comes with the fact that he has a kid with a woman from a while back, and he now must take care of the kid for a bit. They hate each other until they realize that they mean something to each other. Oh, we can’t forget the fact that something happens between them. Then they patch up the relationship only to find happiness. That is pretty much what Real Steel is about. The only thing is that this film makes it work and is enjoyable, or I had a great time watching it.
There is something about giant robots beating the hell out of each other that was fascinating. The story is a complete underdog story because Charlie wants to use the best robots, and they seem to get their metal ass handed to them. On the other hand, Max finds a really old school robot with a shadow function and a very thick metal armor that makes it perfect because it can take a beating. The story takes off when Max works on his robot, and they start winning fights. It is the standard story you have seen over and over again. In the end, you can tell what is going to happen, and it will somewhat disappoint you.
Now for the robot fighting. This is the highlight of the whole film. Once again, who doesn’t love a good robot fight, and this film has plenty of it. The first fight was incredible because Charlie got his new toy handed to him and ripped up. When Max gets his robot, he has a cringy walk-out dance that is laughable but also knows how to use his robot. Actually, the final fight was the highlight but predictable. They fight against the undisputed and undefeated robot champion. The contest is pretty much one-sided, and then on Charlie’s call, he takes control of the robot and lays down a major ass-whipping. It was actually entertaining to watch, and I was hyped.
Now I want to talk about the music. There is really only one song to talk about, and that is Eminem’s “Till I Collapse.” One of the best hyped-up and iconic songs to listen to. Can’t forget about Nate Dogg on the hook. Anyone who talks shit about that song doesn’t know how to work that ass off. I can listen to that song every day, which I do when I work out.
The acting of this film is secondary and blah. Actually, all the characters are pretty typical and standard. Hugh Jackman, as Charlie Kenton, owed money and decided not to be a father. Dude even sold his own kid for money to get a robot that he wanted. Dakota Goyo as Max Kenton was fun but annoying at times. I get it, you with your deadbeat dad. Evangeline Lilly as Bailey Tallet was the standard and beautiful love interest.
Overall, I had a blast watching Real Steel. The acting was blah, but the robot fighting scenes were great. The setting made me want to see giant robots in real-life duke it out in the ring. The story is also blah and predictable, but hey, it does play Eminem’s “Till I Collapse.” That has to count for something.
