Directed by: Shawn Levy
Rottentomatoes.com Rating: 58%
My Rating: 5.5/10
Read the end to skip spoilers and read my recommendation.
Warning: Potential Spoilers
Real Steel follows the journey of ex-boxer-turned-robot-trainer Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) and his Max Kenton (Dakota Goyo) as they train Atom, a sparing robot that was discovered in a junk-yard, to be the next Robot boxing Champions.
The film is classic Hollywood: Charlie starts off alone and struggling to make some money off of robot fights to pay of the debts he owes as well as stay within the fighting world. Then one day, Max Kenton is put into his temporary custody after his mother's passing and the two set off together on a journey to fight robots and make money. Once the two discover that Atom has a lot of potential in the ring, we eventually see Charlie lose his lone-wolf status as he grows closer to his son through the robot's successful bouts.
Personally, I found this film to be very superficial in terms of the relationships between Charlie and Max, as well as Charlie and Bailey Tallet (Evangeline Lilly) who is Charlie's long-time friend and love interest.
The audience is expected to warm up to Charlie even after he sells the custody of Max to his ex-girlfriend's sister for $100,000. And although we do see the two getting along, it is hard for me to believe Charlie's selfish ways have been put to rest. If Atom was not successful in his fights, I imagine Charlie and Max would have a completely different relationship. Alas, Atom was a tough fighting robot that aided in mending their distraught relationship.
Charlie and Bailey were in a tough spot in their relationship as well. Charlie couldn't make payments and although Bailey found Charlie charming, she know he wasn't reliable. But, after Atom started winning fights and making money, they're relationship started to get better and Bailey began to believe in Charlie once more. The film made me think that money really does help with just about everything.
The good thing about the film were the robot bouts; they were exciting and fun to watch. If the film had more fights featuring Atom, I think I would have been happier.
My recommendation: wait until it comes out on DVD or on Netflix.
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