Additional InformationA retired pugilist transitions to the business side of the ropes after human boxers are replaced by robotic ones in director Shawn Levy's feature-length adaptation of the TWILIGHT ZONE episode 'Steel'. Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) was fighting for the title when the sport of boxing was changed forever. Now, instead of humans duking it out for the masses, huge, powerful steel robots trade blows in the ring. As a result, former gladiator Charlie has been forced into the role of two-bit promoter, piecing together cut-rate fighting bots from scrap metal as he makes the rounds on the underground boxing circuit. Just when it seems that Charlie has sunken to the nadir of his career, his estranged son, Max (Dakota Goyo), offers him the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at a comeback by constructing and training a true champion. Now the stakes are higher than ever before, and Charlie is fully prepared to coach his robot to victory so that he can finally leave an indelible mark on the sport he once dedicated his life to.
ReviewsArizona Republic - There's a little "KRAMER VS. KRAMER" here, a dash of "TRANSFORMERS" there, and it's all topped with big heap of "ROCKY." But it's hard to argue with the results, because, at times, REAL STEAL is close to a knockout., Philadelphia Enquirer - It is earsplitting, crowd-pleasing, and, no doubt, 'bot-pleasing, too. If you told me I would get emotionally and viscerally involved in two machines punching the hard drives out of each other, I would tell you you were crazy. I would be wrong., Entertainment Weekly - REAL STEEL is directed by "NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM'S" Shawn Levy, who makes good use of his specialized skill in blending people and computer-made imaginary things into one lively, emotionally satisfying story., San Francisco Chronicle - It's pretty much impossible not to have fun.
ScreenwriterJeremy Leven, John Gatins, Dan Gilroy
CinematographerMauro Fiore