Hugh Jackman in 'Real Steel' - Photo courtesy Dreamworks Pictures
Charlie
Kenton (Hugh Jackman) is a former journeyman boxer who attempts to
regain his self-respect and that of the son (Dakota Goyo) he
abandoned years ago through the sport of robot boxing (think Rock-Em,
Sock-Em Robots for the virtual age). The cute, Rocky-meets-The
Transformers
vibe inadequately hides the fact that the story is loosely based on a
piece from author Richard Matheson (I
Am Legend).
The undefined future as the setting goes more than retro; this story
wallows in the bloodlust of the gladitorial age with slaves being fed
to lions and men fighting one another to the death for the pleasure
of others, although at times it feels like the world of Real
Steel pits
the poor against the poorer, especially in its underground robot
battles where human loan sharks and enforcers still apply beat-downs
and desperate men like Kenton will do anything, pushing ’bots to
the breaking point and selling his son’s custody rights to the
highest bidder, to get ahead.
Somehow, though, the darker aspects of
these deeds get glossed over, guaranteeing that there is little to
offend the sensibilities of the anticipated family-friendly
Dreamworks audience. It would have been a sign of steely resolve to
play up the gritty reality, offering an alternative future shock that
viewers could have truly imagined as an offshoot of these dark
economic times, while also providing the good old crash and crunch. Grade: D+
REAL STEEL opens wide Oct. 7.
