Review of Real Steel (2011) by Mike W — 27 Jun 2013

I just saw this movie again on cable. You couldn't help but get caught up in the action. Real Steel is a great story but with some quirky writing. I was bugged during the fight scenes when the director cut back to Bailey (Evangeline Lily) so we could hear her echo what Charlie (Hugh Jackman) just said regarding his strategy. I don't understand the purpose of that. Particularly in the last scene when they take on the champion robot. High emotion, high tension and we keep cutting back to Bailey. Near the end of the fight, it focuses on the dynamic between Charlie and his son Max (Dakoto Goyo). Max had said earlier that he only wanted his father to fight for him. We see Max focusing on his father with a look of pride, a tear rolling down his face as he watches Charlie literally fighting the champion. Again, cut to Bailey so we can see she's crying. Major father-son moment and the director makes it a father-son-father's girlfriend moment. Hmmm. Needless to say, they built to an emotional moment than tossed it away.

My understanding that Real Steel 2 has been delayed repeatedly by Hugh Jackman's busy schedule. My suggestion would be to leave him out. Charlie Kenton isn't one of Jackman's best roles. Real Steel 2 could open with Charlie's funeral. Max is heart broken but wants to continue fighting. He does so with the help of Bailey and Charlie's brother.