Robots, robots, robots. Let’s get a few things straight before we begin. Boys love robots. Boys grow up to be men who love robots, and a fair proportion of the same men also love boxing and wrestling. To combine the two things and create one, metal pounding, nut and bolts crushing spectacle is obviously a winner. This brings us to Real Steel.
There is of course a little more to it than just robots and fighting, you’ll be pleased to hear. The film is based on a short story written in 1956 called “Steel”, written by Richard Matheson, the film however, is set in the near future in an age when robots have replaced humans in the boxing ring. Not a bad idea really.
Real Steel stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a deadbeat dad and ex-boxer down on his luck and on the run from loan sharks. Hearing that his ex-girlfriend has passed away he finds himself embroiled in a custody claim with the boys wealthy Aunt and Uncle for his estranged son Max. Agreeing to sign away all rights as a Father in exchange for $100, 000, Charlie devises a plan that allows Max to spend 3 months with him while his Aunt and Uncle take a second honeymoon. The relationship between Charlie and Max is already strained but when Max realises Charlie is making money from the deal the rift seems irreparable.
Then along come the robots. Using some of the money from signing over custody of Max, Charlie buys a new robot for fighting with, hoping to win some money to pay off his gambling debts. Meanwhile Max finds a new friend in Charlie’s sometime girlfriend Bailey, played by Evangeline Lilly. Bailey manages to show Max that Charlie isn’t all bad, and to show Charlie that Max is more than just a child. Together they begin to form a family and over time Charlie and Max grow closer using each other skills to improve their robots, their fighting styles and ultimately, their own relationship.
Real Steel is a Disney film, in the traditional sense. We all love Pixar movies and computer generated movies for kids are fantastic, but do you remember the Disney films from your childhood, the live action ones? Think Return from Witch Mountain with Bette Davis. Disney’s live action kids’ films are a cut above the rest, mostly because they don’t patronise the children they’re aimed at. They are sentimental without being overbearing and moral without being too preachy, it’s a fine line and one that Disney treads perfectly with Real Steel. It’s obvious from the outset how the (happy) ending will come about, but that’s OK because it’s not about the ending – it’s about the journey. One for dads, boys and robot lovers.
Real Steel is out now