REAL STEEL
127 minutes
PG-13
Writers: Writers: John Gatins, Dan Gilroy
Director: Shawn Levyr
Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo
|
|
|
Crush! Kill! Destroy!
BATTLEBOTS aired for five seasons, a show aptly suited for Comedy Central—the show was a complete joke. Robots fighting one another: sounds like Transformers. It is not assure you, this isn't similar to any of TRANSFORMER movies. If anything, I would put it into the same category as those SHORT CIRCUIT movies.
Up and Atom!
The year is 2020, we see one thing clearly: boxing kills brain cells, so fighting (with gloves) is illegal. In this future, man and machine bond in an almost metaphysical way; a bond that transcends the confines of flesh and blood. It's called robot boxing: it's like combining Nascar, Dance Dance Revolution, and the World of Warcraft. Hmmm...you know, I can kind of see what the appeal would be.
Max Kenton (Goyo) is eleven years old, he reminds me of a young Annakin Skywalker . Charlie Kenton (Jackman), absentee father, down on his luck. Deep down, he really wants to rekindle his relationship with his son.
Max challenges WRB champion, Zeus, designed by Tak Mashido (Yune): 'I challenge Zeus to a fight anytime any place anywhere, you name it, we'll be there.'
The final battle is between Zeus and Atom. Fighting Zeus, that would make him a modern-day Prometheus figure (where's Hercules when you need him?)...yeah, that was a dork joke.
Bailey Tallet (Evangeline Lilly) runs the boxing gym of her late father. She is an unnecessary character; I found her enthusiasm for robot boxing to be somewhat questionable. Since Lost, Evangeline Lilly (aka, Kate or Freckles) has only done shampoo commercials. It was good to see her back again, definitely a step up from those commercials.
This movie is remarkably similar to OVER THE TOP (1987). Sure they changed a few key details, no arm wrestling, truck driving, a few characters. The mother dies, troubled relationship with father, the national championship. It's like there is a book called, 'Making Unoriginal Movies...the Lazy Way'; except STALLONE read the book-on-tape first.
1. "Do you really think you can make up for ten years in 2 to 3 days?"
2. "He's staying with me! You tell him that! You tell him!"
3. "I wanted you to fight for me that's all I ever wanted. "
Which of these quotes is from OVER THE TOP, and which is from REAL STEEL? Check the bottom of my review, the answers may surprise you.
This film has many flaws, but mainly, I just didn't care about any of the characters. I suppose that is almost expected in a movie about robots.
If you would like to see a film about robot fighting; I would suggest TERMINATOR II: JUDGEMENT DAY. From what I hear, it's a real snooze-fest.
Shawn Levy, the director of this film, has not made anything great since the TV series, THE SECRET WORLD OF ALEX MACK(1996).
A family film, and a popcorn flick. REAL STEAL is reel-to-reel goodness, a movie the entire family can tolerate. Yes, REAL STEEL is a real steal; after viewing it, you'll demand your money back
Final Verdict: 65 out of 100
Quiz Answers
1. Do you really think you can make up for ten years in 2 to 3 days? OVER THE TOP
2. He's staying with me! You tell him that! You tell him!" REAL STEEL
3. I wanted you to fight for me that's all I ever wanted. " REAL STEEL