Real Steel (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• 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

• danny d

  
  i really had a good time with this one. i watched it on a day when my brain was fried, so to soak in simple entertainment was needed and watching these robots beat the tar out of each other was awesome. not usually my kind of film, but reminded me of the types of films i grew up… More
  i really had a good time with this one. i watched it on a day when my brain was fried, so to soak in simple entertainment was needed and watching these robots beat the tar out of each other was awesome. not usually my kind of film, but reminded me of the types of films i grew up with and loved as a kid, and watching it with my kids i can see it will be one of those films for them.

• Anthony L

  
  I feel sorry for the clever computer special effects people, their brilliant work is ultimately ruined thanks to an awful story, awful acting and awful direction. The general idea is sound but a near distant future where Robot boxing has taken over from Human boxing ultimately due to… More
  I feel sorry for the clever computer special effects people, their brilliant work is ultimately ruined thanks to an awful story, awful acting and awful direction. The general idea is sound but a near distant future where Robot boxing has taken over from Human boxing ultimately due to peoples blood-lust doesn't really work for obvious reasons. A post-apocalyptic future, where people build and fight robots would have been a much better film in my opinion. At least then the father/son setting could have been helped along with a 'fighting for survival' undercurrent. Alas, what we are left with is an unimaginative, unlikely and boring father/son story/mess, cue annoying kid in need of haircut, cue a lot of people shouting 'Yeeeaahh' and punching the air, cue crowds of overacting background stereotypes, etc etc. This is bad film making. It's not My Iron Giant, although the robot looks too much like it, it's not Rocky - boxing is violent but whether you like it or not, it is very passionate - this film has no passion and Rocky was a passionate film, all of what should have been the good bits - the more important bits, were all part of a lazy montage. Utter crap. One star for the brilliant computer effects, nothing for the rest. What do you expect though, this is a Shawn Levy film.

• Dean !

  
  A decent film I liked more than I thought I would. Great production including Stan Winston's former studio doing life size bots, Steven Speilberg as Eexc producer, cool cast and neat SFX. Kinda Rocky for Robots but a nice feel good vibe to it.

• Sergio G

  
  You know...the usual, great FX, good story, good acting. Enough to spend a nice weekend with popcorn.

• Directors C

  
  This is the movie Transformers could have been had it not beed directed by Michael Bay. I cant really say more though other than that it plays exactly to the expectations for a movie about fighting robots. Technically, Real Steel is breathtaking. The editing of the fight sequences is… More
  This is the movie Transformers could have been had it not beed directed by Michael Bay. I cant really say more though other than that it plays exactly to the expectations for a movie about fighting robots. Technically, Real Steel is breathtaking. The editing of the fight sequences is well put together and there are a lot of good action packed scenes. The story however isn't as great, and Hugh Jackman wasn't as great as I hoped. Also a lot of the scenes are a bit too schmultsy, so it doesn't suceed in it's attempt to be like Rocky. But it's a well put together action flick. It's nothing worth remembering but hell, it's a lot better than Transformers.

• 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<br/><br/>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<br/><br/>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!<br/><br/>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 <i>Real Steel</i> goes down a much traveled road, but still manages to conjure up some entertainment value.<p>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 <i>Real Steel</i> goes down a much traveled road, but still manages to conjure up some entertainment value.<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><i>Real Steel</i> 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.</p>

• ♥˩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

  
  <i>Courage is stronger than steel</i> <b>Cheesy</b> Real Steel isn't horrible, lets get that straight. But its a movie with bad acting, a same-old same-old underdog story, a <b>horrible script</b>, and disappointing visual effects. But… More
  <i>Courage is stronger than steel</i> <b>Cheesy</b> Real Steel isn't horrible, lets get that straight. But its a movie with bad acting, a same-old same-old underdog story, a <b>horrible script</b>, and disappointing visual effects. But <b>overall it doesn't suck.</b>. 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. <b>Watch it at your own risk.</b> <u>Max:</u> <i>" Don't worry. Your secret's save with me."</i>

• 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.

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