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Cast: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo
A future-set story where robot boxing is a popular sport and centered on a struggling promoter (Jackman) who thinks he's found a champion in a discarded robot. During his hopeful rise to the top, he also discovers he has an 11-year-old son who wants to know his father.
"Real Steel" takes place in the near future, 2020 to be exact. The story is about the new sport of robot boxing and a con-man who was a boxer himself, He is looking for his next big score. Charlie Kenton is that con-man that just seems to have no luck with his robots and to make matters worse for him he finds out an old ex-girlfriend of his has died, leaving behind an eleven-year-old boy named Max, a son Charlie hasn't seen since he was an infant. Charlie is set in his ways and agrees to sign the adoption papers so that the boy's aunt Debra and her new husband can raise Max...but Charlie demands a hefty fee for doing so which the husband agrees upon but there's one catch. Charlie must take care of Max till the two get back from vacation in a three months. Charlie takes Max to an old boxing gym that now serves largely as a repair shop for robot boxers, run by his friend Bailey Tallet. He attempts to have Bailey watch Max while he again heads out on the road with his new robot to make some fast cash but after Max steals his truck keys and threatens to dump them in the sewer Charlie agrees to let him come along.
That is pretty much the basics of the story and it's where the journey begins for both Charlie and Max. "Real Steel" is technically a Sc-fi film with it's "Transformers" looking robots and it's "Rock em Sock em" fight scenes in the ring but at the heart of the story it's about a man who has been running all his life from just about everything and his change of heart in wanting to connect to his son he never knew. The film has a lot of heart and it's full of action but it's also at times very funny and even touching.
Of course there has been the comparison to "Rocky" except with robots and to some extend that is true but underneath all the CGI and action the real story lies with a dad and son. There's something here for everyone, there's the action for you men out there and there's the tearjerker of a story for the ladies as well. It's basically a wholesome film the entire family can enjoy together which is pretty rare nowadays. The cast did a terrific job in playing their roles, I though Jackman did a great job playing the father while still remaining his charming self.
The movie will be available in several packaging offers including, Single DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack and 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo. Exclusive to the Blu-ray are some deleted/extended scenes with introductions by the director, the second screen function, and “Countdown To The Fight: The Charlie Kenton Story.” The latter is a mockumentary. The remaining bonus materials are available on the DVD as well. “Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman’s Champ” looks at the legendary boxer’s contributions to the film. “Making Of Metal Valley” takes a look at the making of a scene. “Building The Bots” is self-explanatory. There are also bloopers and a director audio commentary.
"Real Steel" isn't a life-changing experience but it is a fairly unique film, plus it's one of the few films that had audiences standing and cheering and that itself is very rare nowadays. I give the film high marks for what it is, a family film that delivers on what it promises with laughs, cheers, action and maybe even a few tears. If this sounds like your cup of tea then I highly recommend adding this to your home video collection.
You can order the Packaging of your choice HERE.
Released by Touchstone / Disney
**** Out Of *****