Real Steel (2011)

Director: Shawn Levy

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo

In the near future, robot boxing is a top sport. A struggling ex-boxer feels he’s found a champion in a discarded robot.

I must be honest, I’m not a fan of sports movies – especially boxing or wrestling. ‘Real Steel’ is essentially a combination of both these sports, but it has robots doing the boxing! Now, that’s an entirely different matter! Add Hugh Jackman and I’m interested…

In the not too distant future robot fighting – or boxing – will probably be a reality. Hugh Jackman stars as Charlie Kenton – a loser, to put it mildly, who lives for robots. His life takes a turn for the worst – for him – when his girlfriend from whom he is separated dies, and he has to take custody of their 11-year old son, Max. Dakota Goyo, by the way, is excellent as Max.

Charlie is an arrogant and over-confident guy who doesn’t have time for kids, and he doesn’t make a secret of it either. The only person who can tame him, is his good friend Bailey (Evangeline Lilly). I enjoyed the chemistry between them!

Despite the film revolving around robots, this is a movie about human emotions. It is touching and endearing and hits the right spot on every level. I loved the way Max stole Charlie’s heart, and the way it affected their lives. This is so much more than just a robot movie, or sports movie for that matter.

The vibrant soundtrack makes for a lively film. ‘Real Steel’ is an excellent production. It has a beautiful ending for an all-round satisfying film. I love it!

‘Real Steel’ earned nearly $300 million on a $110 million budget. It received 8 award nominations including an Oscar nomination for Best Achievement in Visual Effects.

Would I watch it again? Yes.