Tuesday, October 18, 2011

‘Real Steel’: Hugh Jackman, robot whisperer

(This appeared in the Oct. 16-31 issue of The Fortnightly.)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

In the predictable but moving science fiction-sports flick “Real Steel,” Hugh Jackman plays loser robot-boxer operator Charlie Kenton, whose estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) reluctantly reunites with him for the duration of one summer. Sure, the iffy trailer didn’t really promise anything spectacular, and its brief shots of fighting robots looked silly. But the Shawn Levy-directed film pleasantly surprises; its effects-enhanced action parts gel seamlessly with the ingratiating father-son yarn.

In that reality, Charlie was a competent boxer, but human fighters were eventually replaced by remote-controlled, mechanical ones. He tried adapting in vain, entering his robots in matches at the oddest venues, but they almost always end up in pieces. Charlie also ends up owing people (some of them scummy, shady types), but he manages to sneak out on them just in time. Everything changes with the arrival of Max, who isn’t exactly thrilled to be spending time with his absent and mostly self-centered dad. Max later discovers a discarded sparring robot, Atom, whose “shadow” function allows it to imitate the movements of humans in its proximity.

It proceeds as expected. Max upgrades Atom by integrating some parts from the surviving components of defeated robot boxers. Soon enough, Atom is trained by his “coach” Charlie. The automaton starts boxing bouts with dance numbers, motion-capturing Max before fighting in small competitions. Atom becomes a sensation, attracting the attention of fans and foes alike.

“Real Steel” lets Jackman play another flawed but redeemable man’s man. Charlie is initially a fellow you wouldn’t want to deal with, an unreliable, disconnected guy who has no compunctions whatsoever with signing away his custody rights for the right amount. He is, however, charming, especially to Bailey (Evangeline Lilly), his boyhood friend, trusty mechanic, and occasional cuddle-buddy. Jackman gets to do some action scenes via his “coaching” gig, but he’s also impressive in less-rowdy and more emotional scenes.

He shares a good rapport with promising young actor Goyo, who resembles former child actor Jake Lloyd a bit. Goyo’s plucky Max doesn’t get irritating; his impish but often-resourceful character is properly conveyed, and complements Charlie well.

The fantasy-scifi elements connect adequately with the familiar and familial tale, the technological wonders just mostly presented as advanced and expensive gizmos that don’t really radically change society’s basic human relationships outside the ring. The boy and the robot share an “Iron Giant”-ish bond, but strangely enough, the machine’s “secret” isn’t really clearly expounded on.

Anyway, it doesn’t really focus on the details and science of the robot fighters’ tech. The robots look and move great, though, their slam-bang fisticuffs engaging enough whenever they’re focused on. Those flashy moments balance out the underdog and redemption drama, making “Real Steel” surprisingly steely.

No comments: