Real Steel DVD Review

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Balancing gritty action and emotional heart, “Real Steel” is an inspiring and visually stunning film that takes audiences on an action-packed journey. Washed-up boxer Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) scrapes by as a small-time robot fight promoter as he tries to make a comeback. Against all odds, he eventually succeeds—at least in the eyes of his son Max (Dakota Goyo). “Real Steel” is spectacular family entertainment that will have everyone cheering again and again.

The #1 movie in the country for two consecutive weeks during its theatrical run, REAL STEEL is directed by Shawn Levy (Night At The Museum franchise), produced by Steven Spielberg (Schindler’s List), with a screenplay by John Gatins (Coach Carter). Set in the not-so-distant future where boxing has gone high-tech and 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots have taken over the ring, the film stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, Evangeline Lilly (TV’s Lost) as Bailey Tallet, Dakota Goyo (Thor) as Max Kenton, Kevin Durand ( X-Men Origins: Wolverine) as Ricky, and Anthony Mackie  The Hurt Locker) as Finn.

Our Take: I didn’t know what to expect when I received a copy of Real Steel. To me, watching fighting robots was just not for me. BUT, my eight-year-old really wanted me to watch it with him so we did. I ended up watching the whole movie with him without wanting to leave! I enjoyed Max, the main character’s son, he was a little smart alec, the banter between the two made me laugh a few times. The movie is rated PG-13, and does offer a few curse words. The premise of the show is about Charlie, a boxer, who is a robot fight promoter who has seen better days. In comes his long-lost son who Charlie needs to care for over the summer. They then focus on fighting their robots and what it takes to overcome fears. This is a good father-son movie with a heartwarming ending.

The Real Steel Blu-ray Combo Pack, with its perfect picture and sound, delivers the ultimate punch, offering viewers a variety of supplemental bonus features that take them ringside with Director Shawn Levy on the making of the film. Exclusive features include a bare-knuckled exposé of the life story of Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman), deleted and extended scenes that go deeper into the film and storylines, and a riveting profile with legendary boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard. Plus, the revolutionary Real Steel Second Screen app lets viewers sync their iPad or computer with the Blu-ray movie to peel back layers of effects with progression reels, check out 360-degree turnarounds of the robots, explore seamless branching pods that delve into the cutting-edge technology used to create the fights, and much more.

2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD) Special Features:

REAL STEEL SECOND SCREEN

• Countdown to the Fight—The Charlie Kenton Story
• Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman’s Champ
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with introductions by Shawn Levy
  • Extended “Meet Ambush”
  • Deleted “Butterfly” Storyline
• PLUS All DVD Bonus Features

 

Buy It: Real Steel (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

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