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A cute kid, Hugh Jackman, and robots that look
and act as cool as anything Transformers ever
gave us. Sounds like the perfect recipe for a
fun, action filled, family, flick. Real Steel
could have gone either way and I have to admit
I was a little on guard going in. Maybe I am jaded
due to the over hype and non delivery of what
we get each summer. I wanted to like this movie
and luckily the film makers gave me all I could
ask for.
It is eight years into the future. Hugh Jackman
stars as Charlie Kenton. He’s an ex-boxer
trying to make a go at it as a promoter in a world
where robots have replaced human beings in the
ring. He is unstable, unlucky and always looking
for the next big score. When he finds out he has
an 11 year old son named Max (Dakota Goyo) that
will be staying with him during the summer he
really has some lifestyle adjustments to deal
with. Together they build a sparring robot that
might be their ticket to the big leagues. And
of course they discover that what they actually
need is each other.
This film could have gone the hokey route of emotional
manipulation and lack luster action. Instead it
makes it all about the robots and how very cool
they are. Oh, and along the way here is very sweet
and touching father and son story. This keeps
the excitement, humor, and visual stimulation
high while still allowing you to gravitate and
truly care for the characters. It has something
for all age groups. The main force behind the
robots success is an 11 year old. This immediately
draws in the tweens and young high-schoolers.
You have the on screen dynamic and charisma of
Hugh Jackman for the women in the audience. Then
the guys get these incredible fighting machines
with story lines that take you back to the early
Rocky films you saw as a kid.
Real Steel is rated PG-13 for some violence, intense
action and brief language. The violence is mainly
focused around the robots which eliminates the
blood and bruising. The action as well all takes
place in the boxing arena making it more for sport
than just anger outbursts. The main thing parents
need to be cautioned about is the language. Though
it never gives more than very mild expletives,
they happen frequently. Max even lets a few four
letter words slip. Again this plays more to his
current up bringing and it isn’t for shock
value and never feels gratuitous. Just be fore
warned that it is there. I think it is safe to
call this a refreshingly sweet film that will
appeal to and please most everyone. I give it
a strong 4.5 out of 5 combination punch. Far better
than most action films I have seen the past two
summers. Fall is becoming my new favorite movie
season.
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2012 Mungleshow Productions. All rights reserved.
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