The movie in focus – Real Steel was released in 2011 and it is movie of science fiction, sports and drama genre that deeply embraces the idea of the world enriched with the advanced technologies yet staying so close to such the universal emotions as love and passions. Resonating with the early great works of Steven Spielberg and directed by Shawn Levy and starring Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly and Dakota Goyo the movie shows an interesting background of a society where human fights instead of sports are replaced by robots fighting it out in boxing rings. Had as a wafer thin plot and design but Real Steel delivers with its bear heart making it a great movie of this genre.
Real Steel is set in the near future where large part of the boxing competition is carried out not by the human participants but the mechanical giants. These operated by human beings fight in rather harsh and highly risky duels in a sport that has the performance of conventional boxing topped with futuristic technology. The protagonist of the picture is the former box, Charlie Kenton, who, despite having a second-tier robot, no longer competes for the title of the world champion, but to eke out a living.
Suddenly, the outlook for Charlie changes when the man learns that Max (played by Dakota Goyo), his son whom he has had little to do with, is entitled to millions of dollars in residual income after the death of Charlie’s ex-wife. At first, Charlie who is a con artist is forced into cooperation with the street-smart-AI named Max with the aim of earning money from the training of a left out robot known as Atom. Whereas other and far more advanced machines function in the ring, Atom is a relic of a previous generation, with no real shot at winning—until Max realizes that the robot has an incredibly high fighting spirit, and an even higher endurance.
In Real Steel, the emotional connection between the two principal characters is between Charlie and Max. Charlie is an unkempt and unpredictable man that is separated from his boy and adrift in a society that has neglected him. Max, on the other hand, is smarter, and driven child who recognizes some talents in Atom that other people do not. Appreciation of the power of redemption is another idea which is touched on progress of the movie as the two protagonists start to become friends; the idea of a family and dreaming is also represented in the film.
Another positive aspect of the film is great visualization of the robot boxing matches. It was important to focus on interesting and realistically looking fight scenes, what the visual effects team successfully achieved. Still, the robots themselves are detailed and various, and every robot have its own appearance and techniques, that make fights interesting. A dance of the matches’ combat is amazing and combines elements of real boxing and fictitious robotic strikes.
Nevertheless, action is not the only thing that concerns Real Steel . fundamentally, it is a work that has everything to do with relationships and individuals. A major aspect of the move are the changes in the character of Charlie. Cynical, purely self-motivated at first, Charlie is a character who evolves over the course of the film. From his interactions with Max, and getting to know Atom, he comes face to face with his past and accepts his responsibility of being a father. It is this very experience that correlates with the change in Atom from a scrap metal pile to a significant competition.
Bailey Tallet portrayed by Evangeline Lilly is also great, she is Charlie’s ex- girl friend but is an important character on his search. Bailey has taken up an extra role in the movie since she becomes the counselor to the kids and at the same time struggled with her attraction towards Charlie. Charlie’s life is depicted as that of disorder, but there is order when his sister is around thus making her an element of hope.
While Real Steel could be interpreted as a new setting of familiar sub-genre of underdog themes and man vs. machine theme, the movie offers a solid brand of drama that does not generic. Such elements as redemption, families and perseverance in combination with cinematographical elements of scenic action and spectacular sights make the movie exhilarating and emotionally engaging.
All in all, Real Steel can be distinguished as a film that combines the novelties of the technologically advanced society with the eternal themes of the struggle and the search for identity. That is why it can be remembered as a great film combining the elements of action with the display of humanity and mounting a realistic robot tale that is still exciting. If the audience comes for the robot boxing or the dramatic arc of the protagonists, they will not be disappointed by *Real Steel as it is a great watch beyond the classification it has been placed in.