Real Steel Cinema Review

By Stephanie Sowden

If science fiction robot films are your cup of tea then Real Steel hits every mark.  Separating it from the rest of the genre though, is its genuine warmth, and in true Disney style, quite an emotional story arc.  

The story of Charlie, a robot boxer in the near future (where real boxing has been replaced with the fights of human-controlled robots) being reunited with his abandoned son, and together conquering the robot boxing world, is endearing and heart-warming in a way that just seems cheesy in other films.  This can mainly be put down to excellent chemistry between Hugh Jackman (Charlie) and Dakota Goyo (his son, Max) who both have brilliant comic timing and bounce off each other in excellent ways.  Hugh also makes Charlie’s transformation from dirt-bag, absentee father to selfless and devoted Dad surprisingly believable, and there’s a nice twist at the end, which allows Max to show his undying belief in Charlie, even though he’s never been there for him.

As ever with these films, the graphics are worth a mention and this is once again another testament to the technological capabilities of the modern day film industry.  The robots are as realistic as possible, and the tension and energy witnessed in the on-screen boxing match filters right into the cinema audience.  The soundtrack is also definitely worth a listen and adds to the film as much as Eye of the Tiger added to Rocky III. 

Real Steel is definitely worth a trip to the cinema and you’ll leave with adrenaline in your veins, the ringing of metal in your ears, and a genuine smile on your face.