The Trailer for REAL STEEL caused me to worry about Hugh Jackman's career choices and led me to tell myself that I would never ever see the movie under any circumstances. The movie was released last fall to positive critical response and huge box office, but it wasn't enough to get me to the Multiplex. But I kept hearing people rave about it and had several trusted friends tell me that it was worth a Netflix rental. So this afternoon, I popped the Blu-Ray in with the thought that it might be a pleasant yet forgetful way to spend my day off. When I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Yes, it has Robots boxing, but this movie has more heart than found in most big budget action films. In a future world where flesh-and-blood boxers have been replaced by towering mechanized fighters, boxer-turned-promoter Charlie Kenton reconnects with his estranged son to convert a discarded machine into a World Robot boxing contender. Hugh Jackman is in fine form (literally) as Kenton and leads a terrific supporting cast. The visual effects are astounding. The Robots seem human without looking like Jar Jar Binks. Truly some of the best work I have seen recently. The movie is much more than Robots sparring in a ring, which is how I found the Trailer to make it appear. The crux of the story is a Father connecting with a young son he never took the time to know. It's surprisingly moving. It really was a great way to spend a day off. While so many 2011 movies meant to stir the soul left me cold (HUGO, THE DESCENDANTS), this was a genuine surprise and I'm glad I finally took the ride.
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