Real Steel ****

It seems that every film-maker going after the youth market is adding gadgets and robots to films, as if the human interest side of their stories is not enough to keep the younger, video-gaming generation engaged. So it’s great to see a robot film that concentrates on the human relationships for once, and one that floors you with its big heart and endearing lead performances, even though the poignant life lesson told is totally clichéd.

Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) is a washed-up boxer who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now he earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender, ATOM, who Max accidentally discovers in a scrap metal yard one night. With their champ winning every bout, they land in the ultimate World Robot Boxing fight.

As big as its heart, Real Steel is simply made for IMAX viewing, especially with the metal-verses-metal clashes in the ring. Fear not, though; it’s not like watching an eye-boggling, tangled visual mess of robotic Transformer limbs. And it’s not 3D. The robots in this are like dumb pets, totally reliant on human input to operate, but forming personalities of their own all the same.

As Shawn Levy places the emphasis on his human characters far more, there is a massive feel-good factor to be had watching Charlie and son bicker then eventually bond – even if Charlie and Max’s path starts out as the typical angry, misunderstood, smart kid who teaches his immature oaf of a father how to relate to others (that aren’t made of metal). Some of the lines are equally corny, such as Max yelling to his father, “I want you to fight for me. That’s all I ever wanted”, which totally sums up the emotional pull this film has. Mostly though, it never takes itself too seriously, allowing you to forgive its flaws and have fun going along on the ride.

Jackman’s American accent may waver in this and his acting turns wooden at times, but his fighting spirit shines through in infectious waves. This is a made-for-father-and-son movie that explores the ups and downs of fatherly responsibility. Jackman as Charlie is not only the Alpha male turned good in this, but looks mighty fine, too, for adoring fans. Goyo is surprisingly good at timing his reactions to Jackman, and is the miniature comedian in this, with a lot more charisma than a lot of child actors deliver nowadays. There is also a nice addition of Lost’s Evangeline Lilly as Charlie’s old-time friend and love interest Bailey, who is the daughter of the boxing coach who taught him. Lilly has an equally believable fighting spirit earned from her time on Lost, which compliments that of Jackman’s rough-and-ready response.

It’s hard to tell whether the big fighting scene at the end is well crafted, or like watching any real-life sparring match, the hype of the stadium recreation simply triggers your exhilaration. Levy wisely stops short of making the finale totally implausible, giving us just enough to go home on a natural high with – even with creeping doubts as to how motion-sensitive ATOM manages to fight his terrifying component AND watch Charlie’s moves at the same time. Still, Real Steel is an absolute crowd pleaser full of energy, warm, humour and undying passion.

4/5 stars

By @FilmGazer

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