Real Steel: Prove Your Metal!

Directed by Shawn Levy and written by Dan Gilroy and Jeremy Leven, Real Steel is set in the near future where robots have replaced humans in the controversial and violent sport of boxing. With a masterful screenplay by John Gatins and huge names like Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg in the producers list , Real Steel had a lot of expectations associated with it – And sure as each punch delivered in it – it Delivers!

Real Steel is the story of almost broke, retired boxer, Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman), who at one time gave the world boxing champ a run for his money, but now is barely able to make both ends meet. He earns what little cash he can as a boxing-robot operator.

Losing his last robot boxer to a 3000-pound bull and followed by those whom he owes money, he hears about the death of his ex-wife and the consequent custody claim for his son, Max Kenton (Dakota Goyo) by his ex-sister-in-law. Reaching court, he makes an under the table deal with her husband and receives $50,000 for taking care of his own son for a short period of time.

Charlie takes his son along and goes to the gym of his long-time friend and ex-lover, Bailey Tallet (Evangeline Lilly), hoping to leave his son in her care and resuming his money-making schemes. From that moment onwards, the movie turns into a roller coaster ride of emotion, action and redemption.

Hugh Jackman delivers a solid Texan man with a care-for-nothing attitude effortlessly. His son, played by Dakota Goyo is also believable as an eleven-year-old who is not sure what to make of a father who abandoned him when he was a baby. The supporting cast is adequate.

The best part of the movie is the special effects. The robots are real, period and the fight choreography is spot on. You just cannot think this is all CGI.

The robot lead in the film, Atom, follows the tried and tested story of the underdog rising above the storm. The film climaxes with a classic David versus Goliath boxing battle that is awesome… even though it has been repeated a thousand times.

Ratings: A solid 8.5 out of 10.

A must watch for everyone.