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Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Anthony Mackie, Evangeline Lilly, Kevin Durand ... see more see more... , Hope Davis , James Rebhorn , Karl Yune , Olga Fonda , John Gatins , Sophie Levy , Tess Levy , Gregory Sims , Torey Adkins

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 ... read more read more...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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75% liked it

68,143 ratings

Critics

60% liked it

203 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed by: Shawn Levy

Release Date: October 7, 2011

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DVD Release Date: January 24, 2012

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Flixster Reviews (8,469)

  • katykern8261
    May 22, 2012
    katykern8261
    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 anot... read moreher? 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
  • sanjurosamurai
    April 26, 2012
    sanjurosamurai
    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 u... read morep with and loved as a kid, and watching it with my kids i can see it will be one of those films for them.
  • SirPant
    April 16, 2012
    SirPant
    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 du... read moree 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.
  • Deano78
    March 20, 2012
    Deano78
    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.
  • sergioogarcia
    March 4, 2012
    sergioogarcia
    You know...the usual, great FX, good story, good acting. Enough to spend a nice weekend with popcorn.
  • aquateen2
    March 3, 2012
    aquateen2
    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 sequence... read mores 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.
  • lewiskendell
    February 22, 2012
    lewiskendell
    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 hav... read moree 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.
  • itsjustme2004
    February 12, 2012
    itsjustme2004
    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!!
  • fb619846742
    February 10, 2012
    fb619846742
    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 rob... read moreots 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.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    February 9, 2012
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    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... read more 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.

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Critic Reviews

Bruce Diones
October 17, 2011
Bruce Diones, New Yorker

Its remote-controlled emotional responses leave little room for genuine uplift. Full Review

Richard Roeper
October 7, 2011
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. Full Review

Eric D. Snider
October 7, 2011
Eric D. Snider, Film.com

Surely a story as elementary and essentially derivative as this one could be told in less than 127 minutes. Full Review

Peter Rainer
October 7, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

They should call this overloud, underwhelming movie Real Steal. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
October 7, 2011
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. Full Review

Tom Long
October 7, 2011
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. Full Review

Mary F. Pols
October 7, 2011
Mary F. Pols, TIME Magazine

The story remains sadly mired in botdom, which leads to some boredom. Full Review

Colin Covert
October 7, 2011
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

It's 10 percent lovable underdog hokum, 23 percent sentimental family drama and 67 percent rivet-popping punch-ups. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
October 7, 2011
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

A slightly soggy tale of father-son bonding, crossed with an action-adventure flick about high-tech battle-bots. Full Review

Kyle Smith
October 7, 2011
Kyle Smith, New York Post

It's so virtual, so distant from the thrill, that you wonder what the point is. Do you really want to pay to watch an actor playing a kid who in turn plays what amounts to a video game? Full Review

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Facts

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    • Max: Now you're concerned for Aunt Debrah? You sold me for 50 grand!
    • Max: People's Champion?.... Sounds good to me.
    • Little Sister: 15 dollars, seriously?
    • Ricky: No, I need 15 dollars IMMEDIATELY.
    • Max: I challenge Zeus to a fight!
    • Max: Don't worry. Your secret's save with me.
    • Charlie Kenton: He could take any robot in this place. You know that.
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  • Peter Weller played the cop whose brain was used to create the androidpeace officer, Robocop. What was his character's name before becominga real cop of steel?  Answer »
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