Real Steel

I almost had to go on the Movie Critic Disabled List for strained eyeballs because I was rolling them so much during the trailer and commercials for Real Steel. It was so cheesy, I was ready to call it a Feast of Fromage. Yet, amazingly, shockingly, in defiance of everything I hold dear, Real Steel didn't stink. I am almost embarrassed to admit I kind of liked it. They're going to take away my movie critic card (I really do have one).

Set in the near future (about 2027, also known as the year Nostradamus predicts Suri Cruise takes over the planet), Hugh Jackman stars as Charlie Kenton - a former human boxer who has become involved in robot boxing by traveling from town to town in the dirtier underworld of the sport, picking up any robot he can, and hoping to win a few fights to pay off some of his debts. Sadly, he's not all that great at it, but Charlie has a new challenge ahead.

Charlie had a kid about 11 years ago, but hasn't been any kind of father to the boy. Now, the mother has passed away, and opportunity arises. In a deal that would make Michael Lohan look like Father of the Year, Charlie agrees to forgo any parental rights to the boy, Max (Dakota Goyo), in exchange for $100,000. The only catch? He has to take the kid for the summer, and, together, they rise to heights neither one could on his own.

When Max finds his own robot boxer, can he and Charlie find success?

Can Charlie find redemption and become a better man?

I still can't believe I kinda liked Real Steel. It has all of the elements of a big, huge stinker along the lines of Gigli or What's Your Number?, yet, director Shawn Levy and writer John Gatins find some way to infuse a grand, infectious spirit into Real Steel that makes it feel like Rocky and warms the cockles of my heart even though it is full of every cliché you can imagine.

Real Steel is a very broad movie where evil people might as well be twirling handlebar mustaches, little hearts and tweety birds should appear over the obvious love interest, and kids are overly precocious to the point of making you sick to your stomach. Subtlety is left at the door in this movie, but Jackman is solid.

I don't know why he sports the kind of New York accent you can barely find in The Big Apple in 2011, but he is awesome in his big moment where Charlie has to realize what horrible mistakes he has made in life, and we see great determination as he tries to capture his one chance at greatness. Jackman elevates the movie, but those robots help as well.

I love the robots. Who doesn't dig Robot-on-Robot action? They look awesome in battle with an easy flow and human-like movements while fighting. However, each one gets his own little personality, which is what draws us in and makes those fights realistic and compelling.

Real Steel might not be a great movie. In fact, it is not a great movie. However, it is entertaining.

Real Steel is rated PG-13 for some violence, intense action and brief language.