The premise of the new movie Real Steel may turn moviegoers away – boxing robots? Really? But the Hugh Jackman flick was a surprising hit, topping the North American box office on its opening weekend. In fact, the film has achieved the biggest debut ever for a boxing movie, raking in $49.4 million for its worldwide opening.
Real Steel takes place in the near future – a future that doesn’t seem entirely implausible. By the year 2020, traditional boxing has been replaced by robot boxing so more damage can be inflicted and withstood by the fighters. Jackman’s performance as Charlie Kenton, a former boxer who has resorted to putting together robots for underground matches, was one of the highlights of the movie. The result is a thrilling, emotional ride as Charlie gets a shot at a comeback while building a relationship with his estranged son, Max. The tense final match is extremely reminiscent of Rocky – in fact, the entire movie could almost be described as Rocky with robots – but it works. In the end, the originality of the premise is what sets this film apart. And the soundtrack, featuring the likes of Eminem, 50 Cent, and Foo Fighters, was as awesome as the film itself.
The critics gave the film mixed to positive reactions, but the relatable characters, suspenseful action, and compelling plot have earned it far more favorable response from the general public. You don’t need to be into boxing or robots to enjoy this movie. Just go in with an open mind, and you’ll definitely be pleasantly surprised. And for those of you who have already seen Real Steel and loved it, there’s some good news: a sequel is already being planned! No word yet on its release date though. Expect it to be in development as soon as Jackman’s schedule clears up.
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