zkonedog In today's Hollywood, originality seems to be a lost concept, with nearly every movie a sequel or a remake of some kind. Remarkably, however, though "Real Steel" is indeed an amalgamation of many previous boxing movie themes, it provides just enough originality to make viewers feel like they are watching those themes for the first time.For a basic plot summary, "Real Steel" begins with the future story of Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman), a deep-in-debt deadbeat who now is reduced to taking low-level fights controlling the robots that dominate the sport of boxing. Just when his luck seems to have run out, however, Charlie inherits his long-abandoned son Max (Dakota Goyo) and the pair find a long-abandoned robot in the scrap heap. The combination of the two serve to give Charlie something positive to live for once again.As mentioned in the opener, this film almost blatantly rips off themes from "The Champ", "Rocky", and pretty much every boxing flick this side of "Million Dollar Baby" ever made. At one point, a scene involving the robot boxing champion Zeus mirrors Ivan Drago of "Rocky IV" fame.Yet, because of the futuristic setting and respect for the sport of boxing, "Real Steel" still manages to succeed where so many other films fail...making viewers care in the end. Even though (while viewing) I pretty much knew what was going to transpire (at least emotionally) in the end, it didn't matter because I was still riveted by the spectacle of it all!What really helps is that the entire film is based on the real-life premise that boxing is a "dying sport" and thus something different is needed to revive it in the face of MMA. Thus, robots are introduced and touted as the greatest fighting creations of all-time. But is that really the case?! Those are the types of plot issues that this film (successfully) grapples with.Also, though the auxiliary cast is solid as well, Jackman stands out for his ability to effortlessly slip into the role of Charlie. Though the drama involving his son and potential love interest (Evangeline Lilly of LOST fame in a subdued, yet emotional role) might provide the tear-jerker moments for some, I was most captivated by the journey of Charlie from beginning to end. Jackman captures that journey expertly.Thus, while perhaps not an American classic, "Real Steel" is a film that can be enjoyed on a number of different levels. Though I would most recommend it to boxing aficionados, fans of sci- fi, future tech, and just plain emotional drama will also enjoy the ride.

ouroborosvsdeath-85680 Real Steel is such a bad movie that it actually becomes easy to review it by simply enumerating all the stupidity in it.The movie literally uses every cliché in the book: "main character is owing a lot of money because of irresponsible bets", "main character has a kid he never cared about", "main character loses even more money on-screen to show the audience who's too dumb to understand the first time", "kid is a tech-genius", "kid helps his father start winning money" you name it.If that wasn't enough the movie then decides to completely rip-off the plot of Rocky by having the underdog robot fighter win a chance at facing the world champion and then have the champion barely win that fight by points and not KO, so that the protagonist can be "the people's champion"And I haven't even gotten to the inexcusable plot holes like the fact that the kid is the first person in the history of robot fighting (a common sport in this movie's future) to find out that training robots are better than the normal fighting robots because they can take more damage and keep fighting. DID NO ONE SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT THAT BEFORE?!?! EVEN I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT WHILE WATCHING THE ******* MOVIE

QueerVamp20 When a father is stuck with his son who he barely knows - a robot is found - This leads to Battles in an actual arena - Don't let the robot battle make you doubt this movie, because it actually has a fantastic story line - By the way, the acting is pretty darn good too. Special effects are done quite well - and you can't help but lose yourself in the movie due to the wonderful story line - it's no Gone With The Wind (HA!) but it is unique and extremely worth a watch for a father (Or grandfather) and son (grandson). Lots of action - And who doesn't like Hugh Jackman - He plays a great mean father - but even the hardest heart can be changed with the love of a son and a passion for battle bots!

Peter Wright Came across this film a few months ago and was blown away. Simple premise of lonely boy desperate for a father figure finds solace and friendship in a fighting robot. Yes it's cheesy and some what predictable but the whole film made me smile throughout. Hugh Jackman plays the wayward father looking for direction while his son is looking for the father he never had.The robot is the pragmatist that brings them together. Fight scenes are good and the interaction between the characters is charming. Many films of father and son coming together rely on a love interest this thankfully doesn't . So sit down and enjoy and film that will leave you feeling warm inside.