Real Steel

In the best films about boxing, the fighter who suffers and struggles is the one we see loosing after some time. In the best films of this subgenre there is a tasty conversation between the boxer and his manager down the hall, usually a conversation that happens in the background. Those films give their character an extra motivation to continue to become the champion they want or need to be. There are hits, money, sweat, violence and lots of excitement in this one.

Taking the very light and free story by Richard Matheson, "Steel", Leslie Bohem and John Gatins built a story for a children's film with the coherence necessary to raise interest in a sport that many consider obsolete. 

Director Shawn Levy does his part of work and communicates the best of the story and screenplay. Looking for a kids' movie, the three pruned all dark and depressing from Matheson's story and in a strange game of the creative process, they end up communicating pretty much the same.

In the future world of Matheson, a dry and violent future, the thirst for blood and spectacle of the boxing lovers was what drove the promoters to generate mechanical beings to reproduce the human form to satisfy the urge of  crowds to see two people (androids now) fighting.

On this premise, it is made clear that the need for violence was the cause of the emergence of this impressive mechanical beings. The future of the film is much brighter and the central character of the same (Hugh Jackman) is not nearly as decadent and ambitious  as that drawn in two strokes by Matheson, but his will remains (less black), together with his egoism and vanity, lost past and, especially, his addiction to the box.

Surprising is the speed with which the film takes shape and homages other pictures, not only about boxing, but about fighters. And the fight sequences have requested advice from giants of the sport, in this case Sugar Ray Leonard, thus delivering a highly professional work.

Remember after all that, besides being Hollywood, Reel Steel is a movie for children. Box without blood? There was no other way.

Director: Shawn Levy

Writers: John Gatins (screenplay), Dan Gilroy (story)

Stars: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly and Dakota Goyo