From previews and commercials Real Steel may look like a simple summer action flick, but it is surprisingly one of the better movies of 2011. With a strong, engaging storyline, amazing special effects, a fast pace and an excellent cast, the movie is definitely a must see for all, whether the young or just the young at heart!
Real Steel is the story of Charlie Kenton, a former boxer who struggles to make ends meet, and his son Max Kenton, who has lived his 11 years without once meeting his father. Set in a distant future where the public has embraced robot boxing in lieu of traditional human pugilism, Charlie is a man trying to find his place in a new world where the life he has known is not possible anymore, while Max is just trying to get to know the father he has never had.
The movie is based in part off of the short story “Steel” by acclaimed author Richard Matheson (I am Legend, What Dreams May Come, A Stir of Echoes). “I thought it was great,” Matheson said of the film adaptation. “They hit all the right things with it. They gave it heart.”
Veteran Australian actor Hugh Jackman (Kate & Leopold, Swordfish, Wolverine) plays Charlie, with relative newcomer Dakota Goyo (Thor, Resurrecting the Champ, Defendor) in the role of young Max. Both are absolutely incredible in this movie, and make every minute of their journey together as father and son completely believable and entertaining. Rounding out the case is Evangeline Lilly (from ABC’s Lost), Kevin Durand (Legion) and Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker), all of whom turn in stellar performances as supporting cast.
Directing is Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum, Cheaper by the Dozen, Just Married), who does an amazing job presenting his vision of the future in a new genre for him. The great Steven Spielberg played a large part in getting this movie off the ground, and it’s clear why he so firmly believed in Real Steel – the movie is an action packed, fast paced, heart felt, jump out of your seat thriller of a summer blockbuster!
The effects of Real Steel are on par with that of James Cameron’s Avatar, and for a reason: director Shawn Levy used the same technology developed for the blockbuster about life on another planet for Real Steel, and it is incredible. The robots are so well designed and move so smoothly it is easy as an audience to forget that they are not really there. Every punch, every kick feels as if it is a real actor out in the ring, dishing out and taking all that he can.
The robots aren’t the only ones in on the fun though; Jackman shows off boxing skills taught to him by the great Sugar Ray Leonard throughout the film. Boxing aficionados will recognize a few signature moves of both Sugar Ray, as well as the great Muhammad Ali incorporated into the fight movie by Jackman, who really took to his tutelage.
“First, it was a delight to see how much Hugh took to the training and how as a great actor he was able to implement the suggestions I could make,” Leonard said of the actor. “His moves and the grace with which he carried himself in character was really astounding.”
At it’s core, this is a movie about redemption for Charlie, Max, and even Atom (the robot that the father and son bond over). In a thoroughly entertaining 127 minutes Levy takes us on a rollercoaster of a ride that starts off in small town fairs and ends up in big cities, with the characters growing throughout the journey. The last real summer action movie of 2011, Real Steel is a lot more than what it seems, and with Jackman, Lilly and Goyo paired with excellent direction, incredible special effects, a phenomenal score by the great Danny Elfman, and a heart warming storyline, all of us here at Positively Celebrity highly recommend the Dreamworks film!
Real Steel opens nationwide on October 7th, both in regular theaters as well as in IMAX. You can learn more about the movie by checking out Real Steel’s website at http://steelgetsreal.com and also on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/realsteelmovie
As always, be sure to check back for all things celebrity from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!
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