Once again the master of movies Stephen Spielburg brings a great family movie to the big screen, and I couldn’t wait to watch Real Steel for Friday Family Movie Night with my boys. So we made some popcorn, hunkered down with blankets and pillows and settled in to watch what I thought was going to be this action, fighting, blow up kinda Spielberg movie.  Boy was I wrong.

Synopsis

Set in the near future where robot boxing is a top sport, former boxer and shady low life now promoter Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) cares only about one thing. Finding bots to fight and making money. But things in Charlies life turn upside down when he discovers his eleven year son (who) has never seen is now orphaned, his mother dead and her sister and wealthy husband want Max. Charlie has no problem with this, he has no time for a kid, especially living the robot boxing world. Charlie agrees however to spend one month with Max, despite his better judgement. The two don’t get along, until they discover a junk yard robot (a sparring bot) that Max names Atom, and they team up to go toe to toe with the best bots around, make some money and maybe even discover a little about each other along the way.

Our View

Real Steel is a heart-warming drama about a father and son. I absolutely loved it! Spielburg takes a junk yard robot and harnesses the power of human emotions, mending the relationship between Charlie and Max in a way that will make you laugh and cry. It’s definitely one the kids will enjoy.  There’s action, adventure and Hugh Jackman is great!

What I love the most about the movie as a mom is the message.  Courage is stronger than Steel. If you only got one shot make it real.  Real Steel is a story about hope, finding out who you are, seeing you are worth something, and that even when the odds are stacked against you, if you just believe in yourself enough. Anything is possible.

That and the animation of the robots and fighting was I have to say pretty nifty!  The ending is a surprise as well. Don’t miss this one!  We had a great time watching it for Friday Family Movie Night.