Real Steel (2011)

59% of critics liked it
(201 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(61,399 ratings)

A gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future where the sport of boxing has gone high-tech, Real Steel stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time… More A gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future where the sport of boxing has gone high-tech, Real Steel stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback. -- (C) Dreamworks

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: Shawn Levy
Written By: John Gatins, Shawn Levy, Richard Mathis
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Oct 7, 2011 Wide
On DVD: Jan 24, 2012
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Critic Reviews

Bruce Diones, New Yorker
Its remote-controlled emotional responses leave little room for genuine uplift.
Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com
Thanks to an admittedly corny script, some amazing fight scenes, and a terrific cast, "Real Steel's" actually a winner by split decision.
Eric D. Snider, Film.com
Surely a story as elementary and essentially derivative as this one could be told in less than 127 minutes.
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
They should call this overloud, underwhelming movie Real Steal.
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
Aas the plot proceeds from boy-meets-dad verbal sparring to an uneasy peace to the underdog-vs.- champion title bout, it becomes increasingly easy to forgive its many nicks.
Tom Long, Detroit News
Real Steel is a blast, an unabashed crowd-pleaser that mixes Rocky, Transformers, video games and father-son bonding to great, if corny, effect.
Richard Edwards, SFX Magazine
Real Steel is constructed from two incompatible movies that should never have co-existed: serious science fiction set in a plausible near-future and a gooey, sentimental family drama.
Dan Lybarger, KC Active
When you have fighting robots, does it really matter if the story gets sappy?
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
By no means is Real Steel an original film, at least in terms of its base story, but that doesn't mean it's not an effective, tear-jerking kids movie.
Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine
An affectionate and comprehensively detailed presentation of a surprisingly decent tent-pole movie.
Jules Brenner, Cinema Signals
Clash time between the machines is nigh overwhelming in this never-before-seen context, and that's the payoff here.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
"Real Steel" has all the brainless fun of Rock'em Sock'em Robots and the heart and rousing fight sequences of "Rocky."
Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, Ebert Presents At The Movies
Never in a million years did I think that I would enjoy a boxing robot movie from the director of Night at the Museum.
Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
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Linda Cook, KWQC-TV (Iowa)
'Real Steel' about an estranged son and his father, a man who's been beaten down by repeated failures, a needy boy who finds something he can believe in, and, of course, it's a sports movie, too, because it's sort of a metallic 'Rocky.'
Cynthia Fuchs, Time to Play Magazine
This much is clear as soon as they meet: father and son have matching attitudes, both resentful of their sudden connection and very tough on the outside even as they're really vulnerable.
Laurence Boyce, The Sabotage Times
A film that feels as if it's been written by a five-year-old who's been allowed to create it as some sort of bizarre birthday present this is undemanding all the way
Robert Denerstein, Movie Habit
The robots are fun, but the script never gets beyond cliches
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
Characters' smug, this-is-so-cool!ness and jingoistic, heartland subtext tries to knock us into submission. The hero's one of those animatronic adults in kid's clothing.
Bruce Bennett, Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
Silly, corny and featuring nearly every boxing cliché... But fighting robots? Dads and their young sons will have a blast.

Read all 21 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lewis C

While it takes a little while to get drawn into a world where something like watching robots box is taken as a legitimate sport instead of the pastime of little boys everywhere, Real Steal is a pretty entertaining flick. The story is a combination of two familiar types that have… More
While it takes a little while to get drawn into a world where something like watching robots box is taken as a legitimate sport instead of the pastime of little boys everywhere, Real Steal is a pretty entertaining flick. The story is a combination of two familiar types that have seen countless variations, the underdog athlete and the reuniting and bonding of an estranged father and son. Mixing the formulas together over the backdrop of a near-future where robot fighting has replaced human boxing as the violent sport of spectacle results in a movie that's often sappy and tugs at your heart-strings with obvious intent. Still, it's also occasionally thrilling. I'd honestly be surprised if the majority of viewers didn't have a smile on their face and a positive mood by the end of the movie, as it does manage to strike some genuine notes, especially near the end. Hugh Jackman plays such a convincingly selfish man that it actually means something when his character has his inevitable change of heart. Dakota Goyo does a decent job as Jackman's young son, though the dancing and over-the-top cuteness of the character did seem a little much at times. Evangeline Lilly has a rather small part that will nevertheless appeal to those who are following her post-Lost career. Nothing about Real Steel is outstanding (aside from what I feel is a very good performance by Jackman), but I liked it. The robot fight scenes are well-done for the most part and the acting is good, but what makes this movie worth watching is that despite how many similar movies I've seen, this kind of story still brings an emotional connection.
Cynthia S

Wonderful!!! Fun!!! Exciting!!! I am a complete sucker for a great movie revolving around a great kid. Now pair a great kid with a robot..well that's even better!!
Dan S

A disappointingly unoriginal, predictable, and formulaic story concerning a shameless ex-fighter (Hugh Jackman) who rediscovers his life and love for the sport that ruined it thanks to starting a relationship with his estranged son (Dakota Goyo). In a futuristic society where robots… More
A disappointingly unoriginal, predictable, and formulaic story concerning a shameless ex-fighter (Hugh Jackman) who rediscovers his life and love for the sport that ruined it thanks to starting a relationship with his estranged son (Dakota Goyo). In a futuristic society where robots have replaced humans in the boxing ring, the father-son duo resurrect a junkyard robot and mold him into a championship contender. This movie's conclusion steals so badly from "Rocky" it is really offensive. The final showdown is such a direct plagiarism that it tarnishes the reputation of a film that is good-natured and over-enthusiastic, but still somewhat lovable. Jackman's performance is too inconsistent - playing it subtle when he should be fierce, and intense when he should show nuance, but the character still works just because of how it is developed by the story, even if Hugh is just a tad too jittery for most of the film. It's not a terrible movie, but it's not a good one by any stretch, thanks to cringe-worth dialogue at times, as well as a left-field subplot with a wild cowboy (Kevin Durand) and a promoter (Anthony Mackie). Again, it is not a bad movie, it is a stupid one that can be entertaining at times, but the ending was so badly stolen from a classic that it was hard to overlook it.
Manu G

Courage is stronger than steel Excellent Movie! I knew it was gonna be a good movie but didn't expect to like it like this. Excellent acting by Hugh Hackman and newcomer Dakota Goyo. Great story and very well shown in a futuristic world. Go watch… More
Courage is stronger than steel Excellent Movie! I knew it was gonna be a good movie but didn't expect to like it like this. Excellent acting by Hugh Hackman and newcomer Dakota Goyo. Great story and very well shown in a futuristic world. Go watch it! In the near future when people become uninterested in boxing and similar sports, a new sport is created - Robot boxing wherein robots battle each other while being controlled by someone. Charlie Kenton, a former boxer who's trying to make it in the new sport but not only doesn't do well, he is very deeply in the red. When he learns that his ex, mother of his son Max, dies, he goes to figure out what to do with him. His ex's sister wants to take him in but Charlie has first say in the matter. Charlie asks her husband for money so he can buy a new Robot in exchange for turning Max over to them. He takes Max for the summer. And Max improves his control of his bot. But when the bot is destroyed, they go to a scrap yard to get parts. Max finds an old generation bot named Atom and restores him. Max wants Atom to fight but Charlie tells him he won't last a round but Atom wins. And it isn't long when Atom is getting major bouts. Max gets Charlie to teach Atom how to fight and father and son bond.
Justin Y

Shawn Levy's Real Steel goes down a much traveled road, but still manages to conjure up some entertainment value.While running a full 2 hours, the story makes good use of its time. There isn't a whole lot wasted when it comes to the plot,… More
Shawn Levy's Real Steel goes down a much traveled road, but still manages to conjure up some entertainment value.While running a full 2 hours, the story makes good use of its time. There isn't a whole lot wasted when it comes to the plot, although the predictability is on a high level and some of the story details end up a bit light and vague.The robotics and effects are imaginative and of good quality. The concept of robots never seems too out of place and the matches between them are amusing.There isn't anything first-rate when it comes to the acting. Hugh Jackman and the lovely Evangeline Lilly are as expected. Despite being under-utilized, Kevin Durand has the most eccentric, and maybe even unnecessary, character of the bunch.Real Steel does have the nature of a family oriented picture, which is probably why it isn't as sophisticated as it can be; however, by the end it is an enjoyable sit through.
♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Kevin Durand, Anthony Mackie, Hope Davis, Dakota Goyo, James Rebhorn, Karl Yune, Olga Fonda, Marco Ruggeri Director: Shawn Levy Summary: In a future world where flesh-and-blood boxers have been replaced by towering mechanized fighters,… More
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Kevin Durand, Anthony Mackie, Hope Davis, Dakota Goyo, James Rebhorn, Karl Yune, Olga Fonda, Marco Ruggeri Director: Shawn Levy Summary: In a future world where flesh-and-blood boxers have been replaced by towering mechanized fighters, pugilist-turned-promoter Charlie Kenton reconnects with his estranged son, Max, to convert a discarded machine into a World Robot Boxing contender. My Thoughts: "A film full of Steel, is also a film full of heart. The relationship between Charlie and his son is anything but great. You at first think Charlie is a complete A-hole. I won't give it away but the deal he made with Marvin infuriated me. It took awhile for me to warm up to his character again. Dakota Goyo was a treat. He is a great little actor and was great in the movie. Charlie is a bit of a washed-up ex-boxer who has made some bets he can't pay and a man who literally runs from his problems. So when Max comes in to the picture you think it would be an opportunity for Charlie to get to know his son and be a father and perhaps even a grown up, But instead he sees dollar signs. As the film goes on you see the relationship bloom and even see that Max is a bit like his father. I liked how it ended and my nieces and nephew really enjoyed the movie. They were clapping and cheering on Atom. It was like watching Rock-em Sock-em Robots. Not a great film, but one the whole family can sit and watch."
Dead A

Absolutely loved this movie. I can't believe the rating. It's an awesome movie.
Julie B

It has a lot of heart for a robot movie.
Jeff "

At first when I saw the trailers to this film, I thought it was going to be a horrible film. However, after a while, Real Steel peaked my curiosity. The reviews for this film were pretty good, so I finally decided to check it out. This film definitely surprised me, and it turned out… More
At first when I saw the trailers to this film, I thought it was going to be a horrible film. However, after a while, Real Steel peaked my curiosity. The reviews for this film were pretty good, so I finally decided to check it out. This film definitely surprised me, and it turned out to be better than what I had originally expected. Real Steel may lack any effective acting, but it more than makes up for it with a good plot, good action and overall solid directing. I very much enjoyed the film, and the film surprised me. The best way to describe the film is a popcorn action flick with heart. Directo Shawn Levy crafts a good film that will hold your attention from start to finish. I was dead wrong thinking this film would be horrible. The film is far from perfect, but for the most part, it's very well done, lots of fun and always thrilling. The special effects are great, and it's just so much fun watching robots kick the crap out of each other. Not only is Real Steel mindless action of fun, but at its centre there's a solid father son storyline that elevates this film immensely. Real Steel is mindless fun with a good heart and it delivers good entertainment. This is a film that exceeded my expectations, I didn't think I would like it and it surprised me that it did. I very much enjoyed the film, and if you're looking for a good mindless action film with a good heart, then Real Steel is the film for you.
MisterYoda ?

three stars!!!
Luke B

Replace people with robots and you can have yourself a very feel good family film. In Real Steel we are introduced to Hugh Jackman as Charlie, one of life's losers. He never pays a debt, has people chasing him over the country, and when he finds out he has a son he just wants to… More
Replace people with robots and you can have yourself a very feel good family film. In Real Steel we are introduced to Hugh Jackman as Charlie, one of life's losers. He never pays a debt, has people chasing him over the country, and when he finds out he has a son he just wants to sell him to his aunt. He isn't exactly a nice guy. Due to the boy's aunt and uncle going on vacation for a couple of months, Charlie must look after his son, Max. He ends up taking him to the robot boxing matches, and they soon have their own bot together. As they train and fight the robots, Charlie and Max bond. Yes, there is certainly more emphasis on the father son relationship than on the robots, giving it at least some heart. At points it is hard to really connect with the two as they are so stubborn. They also change personality rather quickly to take on the role of the adult and the child. This doesn't entirely work as they play it straight instead of for laughs. The fight scenes were very impressive, and you can see all the detail that went into these moves. The robots themselves look fantastic and perfectly blend in with the world around them. The biggest problem with the film is that their are a number of places in which it just seems confused. Durand is underused as an old rival of Charlie's. He turns up at the end, suddenly starts acting a bit racist, and we are supposed to be happy about his comeuppance. It's just such a needless entry into the film. Same with the hints at the robots possible sentience. We have two moments where we are left wondering if the robot can feel and think, but this is left incredibly vague. It seemed like a wasted opportunity, or a plot point that should have been removed altogether. The same with Max's handling of his mother's death. He never once seems upset. The only reason for the mother's death is to give him to Jackman. Basically, there's too much fat to trim around the edges. The film is very enjoyable when it focuses on its key ingredients, though it does play a bit too much into Rocky homage territory.
Pedro H

Courage is stronger than steel Cheesy Real Steel isn't horrible, lets get that straight. But its a movie with bad acting, a same-old same-old underdog story, a horrible script, and disappointing visual effects. But… More
Courage is stronger than steel Cheesy Real Steel isn't horrible, lets get that straight. But its a movie with bad acting, a same-old same-old underdog story, a horrible script, and disappointing visual effects. But overall it doesn't suck.. Charlie (Jackman) is a washed-up fighter who is constantly loosing money with Robot fighting. One day he decides to take care of his son Max(Goyo) in return for money. But his destiny is about to change once there father and son bond turns into an awesome dual partnership in the ring once they find their newest robot Atom. The acting in this movie is verey bad. Hugh Jackman is simply terrible and to make it even worst is his son Max played by Dakota Goyo. But even even worse is the chessy script that uses the worst taglines and phrases in the history of family movies. There are times where you just feel like being beaten up by a robot in this movie. But, to some extend, this movie is able to entertain most of the time. The best thing about this movie, no doubt, is the soundtrack: including hits from Eminem, Beastie Boys, Bad meets Evil, some Tom Morello, and other bad-boy music. Watch it at your own risk. Max: " Don't worry. Your secret's save with me."
Crash E

amazing father and son story, I knew it's gonna be a good movie but didn't expect to like it like this, the perfect formula for excitement, and I wished to see more fighting match's in the WRB league
Stuart B

Mix "Rocky" with "Over the Top" and add some robots and you get this. Both Stallone movies are better than this. Decent robot effects but everything else seems lifeless.
Mike S

Transformers meets Robot Wars in this family-friendly underdog story, about a father and son who competes in a fierce and merciless championship with their robot boxer Atom. Much of it made me wonder if it was directed by Michael Bay. Leastwise when it comes to the fights and its more… More
Transformers meets Robot Wars in this family-friendly underdog story, about a father and son who competes in a fierce and merciless championship with their robot boxer Atom. Much of it made me wonder if it was directed by Michael Bay. Leastwise when it comes to the fights and its more cornier elements. What separates this from the typical Bay movie, however, is that the action is never soulless. The strained relationship between Charlie and Max, and how it gradually develops into a strong, meaningful bond, is the true glue of the story that binds everything together. Deep down, it's about family and responsibility, and the redemption of a man who owns up to his past mistakes. So when the metal begins to grind, we aren't just roused by the carnage, but also cheer on wholeheartedly, for everything to go their way. Hugh Jackman, as expected, does a very credible job, and as goes for Dakota Goyo, even if he's a little annoying sometimes with his whiz-kid mannerisms. He reminded me a great deal of Jake Lloyd in Star Wars Episode I, although thankfully he doesn't sound like he's reading his lines of a cue card. In a small supporting role, we also find the lovely Evangeline Lilly. She doesn't have a whole lot to do in the film, but is a pleasant addition nevertheless. The script does leave some things to be desired, but with everything taken into account, this a fun, solid popcorn movie that can be enjoyed with the whole family. Not without its flaws, but you'll definitely have a good time at the ringside.
Tired of P

Directed by Shawn Levy, Dreamworks Studios, 2011. Starring Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie and Hope Davis. Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi. Question: Do you ever go to the movies with the intention of seeing one movie but get talked into seeing another?… More
Directed by Shawn Levy, Dreamworks Studios, 2011. Starring Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie and Hope Davis. Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi. Question: Do you ever go to the movies with the intention of seeing one movie but get talked into seeing another? Also, have you agreed reluctantly to see that movie and believe you aren't going to like but you end up being wrong? Well, that was my Sunday afternoon. I thought I was taking my kids to see A Dophin's Tale but got suckered into seeing Real Steel with my son saying, "Please, mom, please!" How could I say no? This is probably where I should tell you the story was based on the short story "Steel" from the 1950's by Richard Matheson (look him up - he has a lot of stories that became TV shows or movies). During the opening credits I saw the following names attached to this film: Robert Zemekis, Stephen Speilberg, Danny Elfman and Shawn Levy. That list surprised me but still was a little doubtful at that point. However, I actually ended up liking Real Steel. Believe it or not. I really wasn't expecting to but once the movie started with a great song by Alexi Murdock - "All My Days" I was intrigued. They just had me with this song because I honestly didn't think it would start that way so I relaxed and let the story take me away... However, I started having some doubts right after the song with having my 9 and 11 year-old at this movie with the first "fight" scene. Let's just say it reminded of a sport in Spain I would never want to witness. Protective mama instincts kicked in and I was ready to bolt, but the story took another turn that I wasn't expecting so I stayed in my seat. No, I won't tell you what. So, I am not going to tell you about the story - that isn't my normal thing anyway. Okay, I will give you one detail: It's about robots who box because people were no longer allowed to box. There, happy? The story was a bit on the predictable side but that really didn't matter. There was a great balance of the action with the robots and fight scenes with a sweet story about a boy and his father with a little romance kicked in. In fact, it had one of the best lines about kissing I've seen in ages. Sorry, back to the fighting robots. The special effects were unbelievable. I did not see any hint of computer animation or that the actors were talking to a ball on a stick. I honestly want to know if those robots actually exist - that's is how great the effects were in Real Steel. So for you special effect junkies this one will make you very happy. In fact, I would glance over at my son and I am not sure I am have seen him smile more intensely. Even my overly girly daughter was shadow boxing during some of the fight scenes. That cracked me up! My one complaint though has to be the rest of the music because it was a lot of hip-hop and rap - not my favorite genres. However, it fit well with the story, but for me it was just a bit much. I suppose I should say I probably wasn't the target demographic for this movie but my 11 year-old son LOVED every single thing including the music in Real Steel. There you have it. So, with that being said - grab your son, your brother or nephew and head to the movie theatre before this one is gone. We saw it in IMAX which for this type of movie is always better. My favorite thing: The special effects. My least favorite thing: As I said, some of the music wasn't my taste. Rating: PG-13 Length: 127 minutes Review: 7 out of 10 For more reviews: www.tiredofpreviews.com or www.expatspost.com
Al S

An instant classic. A bold mix of Rocky and Transformers and it kicks its ass. A rousing, thrilling, smart, funny, and explosive action-packed thrill-ride. A spectacular and adrenaline-pumping action movie filled with some amazing fight sequences and alot of heart. A strong and… More
An instant classic. A bold mix of Rocky and Transformers and it kicks its ass. A rousing, thrilling, smart, funny, and explosive action-packed thrill-ride. A spectacular and adrenaline-pumping action movie filled with some amazing fight sequences and alot of heart. A strong and unforgettable movie packed with gritty action and powerful drama. A powerful no-holds-barred good time that`s just a real knockout. It`s a real winner that goes all rounds. Director, Shawn Levy`s best film yet. Hugh Jackman gives an incrediable performance, he has never been better. This is one hell of an awesome movie. It roars across the screen like nothing you have seen before. A fresh, bold, very original and wickedly entertaining movie that rocks. The action and special effects are second to this inspirational and deeply moving story. A great movie with an awesome soundtrack and an awesome cast. It will have you cheering for the good guys all the way to th end.
Dean M

Kids love robots, adults love boxing. Why not stick them together? Director Shawn Levy clearly hopes this partnership will create a box-office smackdown. Fortunately, he has an ace up his sleeve in the shape of Hugh Jackman, who gives a charisma-driven turn as stubborn Charlie Kenton,… More
Kids love robots, adults love boxing. Why not stick them together? Director Shawn Levy clearly hopes this partnership will create a box-office smackdown. Fortunately, he has an ace up his sleeve in the shape of Hugh Jackman, who gives a charisma-driven turn as stubborn Charlie Kenton, a man still holding on to past glories as a lifeline. In the near-future, he scratches out a living with quick-cash schemes. Though the script doesn't give him a lot of depth to work with, it's at its best when brought to life by Jackman and young Dakota Goyo, who evokes the Kenton spirit in some of Max's reactions. Plus, there's Atom, the beaten-up robot they discover in a junkyard. There is occasionally too much nodding towards the likes of E.T., but also scope for heartfelt moments as boy and robot bond during training sessions. Then there's Transformers. Sharing an executive producer with the techno toy franchise, in the form of Steven Spielberg, Real Steel was always going to be in the shadow of Bayhem's robots in disguise (even though Levy insists the focus for his film is the father/son angle). Fortunately, the boxing action doesn't disappoint, with satisfying moments as the metal warriors clash. And employing performance-capture technology for the hulking fighters pays dividends. While Rise of the Planet of the Apes' beat them to the punch by using the Avatar-style system in the real world, Levy and his team have pulled off solid action, even if it is confined to the ring. The biggest issue for the director is serving two masters. Splitting his time between the new family unit working itself out and the underdog sports story means that neither quite gets the treatment it deserves. Other subplots are worst off, sinking into easy cliches. In fact, outside of Jackman and Goyo, attempts to generate some real emotion all fall flat.
Jens S

When I first heard about the idea of a movie based on the boxing toy robots in the ring, I thought Hollywood had gone mad (once again). The trailers at least promised some Transformer-esque action and looked fun enough. The movie is much more than that, though. It's a loser… More
When I first heard about the idea of a movie based on the boxing toy robots in the ring, I thought Hollywood had gone mad (once again). The trailers at least promised some Transformer-esque action and looked fun enough. The movie is much more than that, though. It's a loser ballad, the old story of the outsider getting one more shot and even if all that's been told many times before, the film does a tremendous job making you care for Charlie who has to start from scratch while getting to know his kid. That's sometimes cheesy, sometimes predictable, but always lovable, highly entertaining and has more charm and heart than the Transformers films combined. It helps that the special effects are top notch, the fights are fun and young Dakota Goyo delivers an incredibly self-assured performance that makes it impossibly to be annoyed by the kid. Jackman's character may be from the cardboard storage room, but he still manages to fill it with life and makes you cheer for the man in every minute. The most amazing aspect is that despite of the fact that you know the formula, the movie is enthralling and does not even end exactly the way you may have predicted. And when the film's over you remember the beautiful scenes of Charlie's old bus going through the American country side just as much as the fun robot fights.
Christopher H

Rock em sock em Robots the movie. The story rips off a lot of sports movies, especially Rocky, but it is still a fun family affair. Hugh Jackman is pretty good at playing a jerk father, although he never comes across as completely convincing in the role. Maybe it's because… More
Rock em sock em Robots the movie. The story rips off a lot of sports movies, especially Rocky, but it is still a fun family affair. Hugh Jackman is pretty good at playing a jerk father, although he never comes across as completely convincing in the role. Maybe it's because they made Jackman's character too charming. Dakota Goyo looks remarkably like Jake Lloyd, except Dakota can actually act. Jackman and Goyo have a good chemistry together playing father and son. Every other actor in the movie was just, meh. The villains are really over-the-top. Karl Yune, who plays the main villain, looks like he just walked off a "Fast and Furious" film set. The biggest highlight are the robots. The visuals for the robots are really impressive in the way they fuse practical and CGI effects. I'll go as far to say the robot effects are probably better than any of the Michael Bay Transformers films. The fights are very competently filmed and choreographed. Kids will for sure love this movie because they won't realize that it's ripping off a hundred films. Overall, this film is decent passable entertainment.