Real Steel ~ Rock’em Sock’em Robots for grownups!

Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) is a boxer in a future where boxing isn't enough to feed the appetite for violence, so the world turns to robot fighting. Charlie hasn't had much luck trying to win fights with his robots. Charlie hasn't had much luck in love with Bailey Tallet (Evangeline Lilly), the daughter of his boxing coach. Charlie hasn't had much luck in his life, when he finds out an ex-girlfriend has died leaving him the next of kin to his eleven year old son Max (Dakota Goyo), whom he’s never met.

Losing his robot in a fight to a bull, Charlie needs his luck to change, so when he sees an opportunity to get some money by selling the custody of Max to Max’s aunt, he jumps at the chance. What’s the only catch? He has to keep Max around until October. Max is a smart kid, he knows what’s happening, but he wants to be part of his father’s world and the world of robot boxing.

The two happen across “Atom”, an outdated sparring robot with unique skills, while searching a junkyard in the middle of the night for spare parts. With nothing left to lose, they power him up and begin an incredible “Rocky Balboa” rise to stardom, robot style.

This movie is actually a blend of “Rocky” and “Over the top” plots. Crappy dad meets kid. Kid hates dad but is interested in what dad does. Dad and kid start bonding during “on the road” experiences. Dad realizes kids is awesome, kid forgives dad, they hug, they smooze, and the plan the sequel.  

It was a very fun movie which made the crowd cheer as Atom the robot started kicking some steel butts. I’m glad they didn’t give the robot “feelings” and try to make it seem to be “turning human.” Jackman nailed the part of self-absorbed dad who comes to the realization that his priorities need an overhaul. The ending of the movie set up a sequel, so look for more robot shenanigans in the future.

Go see it, take the kids, the wife, the husband, the neighbor, hell… give me a call, I’ll go see it again with ya.