Reviews – Film: Real Steel
by Suzan Ryan , under Reviews, Web Exclusives
Real Steel
Director: Shawn Levy
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goya, Evangeline Lilly, Olga Fonda, Karl Yune
DreamWorks Pictures
How do you make all around nice guy Hugh Jackman unlikeable? It’s a tough ask, but in Real Steel there’s a little shine off the charismatic lead as he plays failed boxer/robot boxing controller Charlie Kenton. Down on his luck without a pot to piss in, nor window to throw it out of, he ekes out a sorry existence pitting his once legendary boxing skills (via robotic interface) against charging bulls in some sort of white trash nightmare.
When his eleven year old son Max resurfaces back in his life (brilliantly played by Dakota Goya), Charlie sees him as leverage to use to fund a comeback in the World Robot Boxing league. Little did he predict the effect Max would have on him as father and son bond over a common love for the electronic rope-a-dope. A breaking-and-entering salvage mission leads Max to uncover a junked fighter, Atom, in the scrapyard and Charlie and Max hit the underground fight circuit to see just how far Atom can take them.
Director Shawn Levy does an admirable job. Mostly known for his kid-centric family affairs, cutting his teeth on The Pink Panther and Night at the Museum, his more recent entries like Date Night are more well rounded with greater appeal for adult audiences. Many may have scoffed (this reviewer included) at the premise and how it would translate to the big screen. It is about giant robots smashing the crap out of each other, after all, yet by bringing in the father/son component and pulling the camera back, Shawn Levy has made Real Steel and incredibly watchable film.
Note to Michael Bay, let a solid story be the basis and let the action grow from it organically. Shawn Levy handles the action sequences incredibly well, allowing the camera to frame the shots rather than splicing together a hodge-podge of quick music video styled cuts. It’s less about spectacle and more about solid fight choreography and it really works.
Real Steel may gloss over the heavier themes of romance, forgiveness and abandonment, but it makes up for it with solid performances, a surprising amount of heart and silky smooth special effects that aren’t out to shock and awe, but immerse you in the plot so you barely recognise the CG in this tale of redemption. It’s The Iron Giant meets The Fighter (without the crack addiction) and one hell of a fun ride.
Real Steel opens nationally Thursday October 6th
Review: Dave Kozicki
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