Real Steel

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Real Steel

PG-13

Released Oct 7, 2011

2h 7m

Action

Drama

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

233 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) used to be a prizefighter but lost his chance to win a title when heavy, towering robots took over the boxing ring. Now working as a small-time promoter, Charlie pieces together scrap metal into low-end fighters, barely earning enough to make it from one underground venue to the next. After hitting rock bottom, Charlie reluctantly teams with his estranged son, Max (Dakota Goyo), to build and train a championship robot for a last shot at redemption.

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Critics Consensus

Silly premise notwithstanding, this is a well-made Hollywood movie: Thrilling and exciting action with just enough characterization.

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Logan Hill

New York Magazine/Vulture

It's more of a throwback to Horatio Alger's Ragged Dick, a rags-to-middle-class-respectability tale about the humble joy of old-fashioned decency.

Nov 14, 2018

Full Review

Tom Charity

CNN.com

It's as corny as Kansas, but the mix of old fashioned heart and new fangled animatronic cyber tech will make this picture a winner for fathers and sons.

Nov 14, 2018

Full Review

Shawn Levy

New York Times

All things considered, it is a well-wrought piece of entertainment, confidently paced, although its necessary subplots are little more than dutiful filler sandwiched between fight sequences.

Nov 6, 2018

Full Review

Iván Kazi

EscribiendoCine

The truth is that it is a fun film and its few inconsistencies are insignificant compared to the outstanding special effects and the compelling thematic thread. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Sep 27, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

A tired old cast re-pressed and coated with a shiny new layer of wax.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 7, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Distill 'Rocky' and 'The Champ,' add a dash of The Rumble in the Jungle, shake well and serve in larger-than-life rock ’em sock ’em robots. That’s basically what you get with 'Real Steel'...

Jul 9, 2022

Full Review

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Lucas C

Cinema. Peak. Cinema Peak. Peak Cinema. Lots of Cinema. Lots of Peak. But how much is peak? What is the meaning, the true meaning, the true essence of cinema. Perhaps, it is peak. Perhaps, it is... cinema peak.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/05/24

Full Review

Jason A

Undoubtedly the most criminally underrated fighting/futuristic movie there is. Amazing story of rags to riches. Phenomenal sound track. Fantastic visuals. All around an absolute must watch if you haven't.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/05/24

Full Review

Muhammed a

It is a good quality science fiction movie, it progressed very well towards the end, I really liked the plot, it is recommended, it is a good story, the scene where the child plays the robot was very nice and the passion and happiness of winning during the wrestling moment was quite nice, there were a few scenes when I got bored, but apart from that, it is a good movie that is fun to watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/25/24

Full Review

C R

It's not really the type of movie I would rate very highly, but it was quite good. Very formulaic and often predictable, but still a lighthearted and good watch. Expected very little, but was pleasantly surprised.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/15/24

Full Review

Han F

One of the most fun and exciting movie. perfect blend with drama, action and a little bit of sci fi. music is awesome and memorable. Is it perfect movie? of course not, but definitely deserve five or four stars

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

Full Review

Marlon W

the relationship between father and son is built magnificently, and the special effects are great, the story reminds me a lot of Rocky, excellent film

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

Full Review

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Shawn Levy

Director

Hugh Jackman

Charlie Kenton

Evangeline Lilly

Bailey Tallet

Dakota Goyo

Max

Anthony Mackie

Finn

Kevin Durand

Ricky

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Synopsis

Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) used to be a prizefighter but lost his chance to win a title when heavy, towering robots took over the boxing ring. Now working as a small-time promoter, Charlie pieces together scrap metal into low-end fighters, barely earning enough to make it from one underground venue to the next. After hitting rock bottom, Charlie reluctantly teams with his estranged son, Max (Dakota Goyo), to build and train a championship robot for a last shot at redemption.

Director: Shawn Levy
Producer: Don Murphy, Susan Montford, Shawn Levy
Screenwriter: John Gatins
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: 21 Laps Entertainment, Montford Murphy
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Action|Brief Language|Some Violence)
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 7, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $85.5M
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

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