Real Steel is an incredible film, with a stellar cast, a beautiful and moving narrative, along with amazing visuals – this film does not disappoint.
Hugh Jackman and Dakota Goyo in Real Steel / Picture Credit: Touchstone Pictures
The movie focuses on Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman), a former boxing champion. Kenton no longer does the boxing himself, though – the industry has been taken over by robots instead.
Set in the not-too-distant-future, humans decided that instead of letting people get battered and bruised, it would be better to let the robots have at it – and its’s not a bad idea.
Kenton is struggling to keep his life in check, as he owes money to many different people due to him losing fights, and robots. After suffering yet another loss at a carnival and betting a more money on his own victory, Kenton is approached by two gentlemen (who he thinks are loan sharks) telling him his ex-girlfriend has passed away.
He then finds out than his son Max’s (Dakota Goyo) Aunt Debra (Hope Davis) wants to adopt Max. Kenton doesn’t really care about Max – until he realises he can make some money off of him…
We see early on that Kenton isn’t that good of a person, as he makes a deal with Debra’s husband Marvin (James Rebhorn) to look after Max for the summer in return for $50,000 and to not tell Debra. Best dad ever, right?
However, after yet another loss following the purchase of a famous fighting bot, Noisy Boy, Kenton takes Max to a junkyard to find parts to repair him. In doing this, Max falls down a pretty steep hill, but is caught on the arm of a buried robot.
Max decides to take it back to the gym his father lives in (along with partner Bailey, played by Evangeline Lilly) and fix up the robot, already named Atom.
The film then follows the father-son duo as Max’s insatiable desire to be involved in the robot boxing world grows bigger and bigger, and Kenton finds that he really likes this kid; so they take on this world together.
This movie has so much heart and passion, as Kenton’s attitude towards his son changes and you can see his mood throughout the film lift and his enthusiasm for the sport return, and the rush you get from watching the team of two take on every challenge in their way.
The affection they have for each other that is derived from their shared passion of robot boxing is something not seen in any other movie. The narrative brings highs and lows and a pure, true love shines through from absolutely everyone involved and it’s genuinely charming.
The duo have some brilliant lines within the film, and their stubborness makes for some hilarous moments. Max is headstrong and brave, and Kenton is exactly the same. Their jabs and jokes throughout the movie make it so light-hearted and fun, which is why this film is as good as it is.
Aside from Kenton and his son growing closer together, the robots are the other stars of the show. Robot boxing works the same as human boxing, and the robots at the big league shows and fights are amazing to look at.
The shine on their metal, the colours used for each one, and the expensive look most of them have is impressive. However, they all look like machines- they do what they are there to do and that’s the end of it.
On the other hand, Max’s robot, Atom, is something different altogether. Atom has a heart, he seems to listen to Max and to understand him, and their connection is delightful. Atom isn’t just a robot, he’s a bridge between Max and his father, and a beacon for the desire they share.
Real Steel is a film that should be on everyone’s watch list.
The core of the movie is drive, excitement, family, and a real lust for succeeding. The duo take on everything in their path, no matter how difficult the adversity, and truly inspire audiences. The connection between man and machine in this film is unlike nothing you’ve seen before.
Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal
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