“Real Steel” on the outset might sound like the big screen version of “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots” but nothing could be farther from the truth.
I found the film, which is based on a short story by science fiction author Richard Matheson, a wonderfully warm and human story with the “science fiction” aspects posing as only a background to the film’s plot.
Set in a future where human boxing is illegal and robots are pitted against each other, the film centers on Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman), a down on his luck fight promoter who is struggling to get by.
Going from one county to the next following the robot boxing circuit, Kenton is hardly making a living when into his life lands the son he has been estranged from.
“Real Steel” is all about coming to terms with our limitations and our selves and never giving up hope in the process.
And there are some pretty cool special effects in the film to boot.
It gets a solid B and is rated PG-13.
