“Real Steel” is the latest Hugh Jackman flick that rips a page or two from the classic and remake of, “The Champ.” Set against a backdrop “sometime in the future,” Jackman, as Charlie Kenton, is a washed-up boxer with a dismal future. And just when things couldn’t get any worse, his long lost son appears after the death of his mother, Charlie’s former girlfriend.
Charlie parallels the down-on-his luck, gambling character from “The Champ.” In both the classic and remake, Champ is an ex-boxing champion turned horse trainer. As a single father he barely ekes by to make ends meet. Gambling and drinking get the better of him. He tries his hardest to make a comeback and win the respect of his son. Up until the countdown, the classic and remake will have the audience rooting for the former champ and sobbing convulsively at the same time.
“Real Steel” portrays Charlie Kenton as that same gambling, wayward and down-on-his luck ex-boxing champ minus the boozing. But the real twist in “Real Steel” is the futuristic development in the boxing industry where humans no longer fight in the ring. Instead of humans, 8-foot steel robots take over. It’s as if the Mattel toy Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em have come to life.
Newcomer Dakota Goyo plays Charlie’s 11 year old son Max. Goyo hold his own against some powerful actors. In addition to Jackman, Evangeline Lilly plays Charlie’s love interest and ATOM, the robot, is humanized through Goyo’s eyes. Showing natural emotion, he takes a lesson from Ricky Schroder who played the son in the 1979 version. But Goyo adds maturity and more confidence to his role.
“Real Steel” is not just another action packed movie. Executive producer Steven Spielberg had one of the best compliments for director Shawn Levy saying “Shawn created a reality. This movie is probably the most realistic movies Shawn has ever made, and I think Shawn reinvented himself as a filmmaker. I looked at the picture; it looks gorgeous, the shots are both subtle and imaginative. When it was over, I said to Shawn, ‘You know, you’ve made a lot of really great movies, but this is your first film.’”
“Real Steel” is directed by Shawn Levy, who directed ‘Night at the Museum,” “Date Night” and “Big Fat Liar.” While it may not be your typical date night movie it’s a fun flick worth knocking your block over and for a fun escape from the cold weather.
For a chance to win some “Real Steel” swag, please check out my personal blog Parent Grapevine.
“Real Steel” opens Friday, October 7, 2011.
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