Charlie Kenton is a washed-up fighter who retired from the ring when robots took over the sport. After his robot is trashed, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son to rebuild and train an unlikely contender.
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Credits: TheMovieDb.
Film Cast:
- Charlie Kenton: Hugh Jackman
- Max Kenton: Dakota Goyo
- Bailey Tallet: Evangeline Lilly
- Ricky: Kevin Durand
- Finn: Anthony Mackie
- Aunt Debra: Hope Davis
- Marvin: James Rebhorn
- Tak Mashido: Karl Yune
- Big Sister: Sophie Levy
- Little Sister: Tess Levy
- Farra Lemkova: Olga Fonda
- Kingpin: John Gatins
- Bill Panner: Gregory Sims
- Large Texan Man: Torey Adkins
- ESPN Boxing Commentator: Phil LaMarr
- San Leandro Gentleman #2: John Hawkinson
- ESPN Boxing Commentator: David Alan Basche
- Starblaze Arena Reporter: Julian Gant
- Virgin America Spectrum Ring Announcer: Ken Alter
- Virgin America Spectrum Ref: Leilani Barrett
- Twin Cities Controller: D.B. Dickerson
- Bing Arena Announcer: Peter Carey
- Bing Arena Ref: Dan Lemieux
- Older Gentleman: Richard Goteri
- Blacktop Controller: Tim Holmes
- Underground Promoter: Ricky Wayne
- Robot Promoter: Taris Tyler
- Atom Performance Capture: Kevin Dorman
- Sergei Lemkova: John Manfredi
- Fight Fan (uncredited): Mike Ancrile
- Upscale Fight Fan (uncredited): Leah Barkoff
- Rodeo Cowboy (uncredited): Joshua Ray Bell
- Bar Patron (uncredited): Clark Birchmeier
- Ricky’s Henchman (uncredited): Ben Hernandez Bray
- Upscale Boxing Fan (uncredited): Wayne E. Brown
- Rodeo Cowboy (uncredited): Justin Calkins
- Kingpin’s Henchman (uncredited): Ron Causey
- Panoramic Fight Fan (uncredited): Jahnel Curfman
- ESPN Commentator (uncredited): Johnny Flynn
- Rabid Fight Fan (uncredited): Logan Fry
- Vendor (uncredited): Megan Grant
- Crash Palace Fan (uncredited): J.J. Green
- Photographer (uncredited): Shane Hagedorn
- Zeus Robot Handler #1 (uncredited): Kef Lee
- Fight Fan (uncredited): Brad Leo Lyon
- Usher (uncredited): Mary Magyari
- Fight Fan (uncredited): Megan Mockensturm
- Vendor (uncredited): Kirstie Munoz
- Farra’s Body Guard (uncredited): Anton Narinskiy
- Starblaze Security Guard (uncredited): Chris Newman
- Fight Fan (uncredited): Wendy Paquette
- Helicopter Pilot (uncredited): Alan D. Purwin
- Judge (uncredited): Miguel Sandoval
- Japanese Reporter #2 (uncredited): Dwight Sora
- Zoo Fight Fan (uncredited): Jojuan Westmoreland
- Ricky’s Girl (uncredited): Amanda Wright
- Rich Man (uncredited): Gary T. Jones
Film Crew:
- Executive Producer: Robert Zemeckis
- Executive Producer: Steve Starkey
- First Assistant “B” Camera: Bill Coe
- Executive Producer: Steven Spielberg
- Original Music Composer: Danny Elfman
- Music Editor: Bill Abbott
- Producer: Don Murphy
- Costume Design: Marlene Stewart
- Casting: David Rubin
- Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
- Executive Producer: Josh McLaglen
- Story: Richard Matheson
- Color Timer: Jim Passon
- Set Designer: Robert Woodruff
- Special Effects Coordinator: Joe Digaetano
- Producer: Shawn Levy
- Director of Photography: Mauro Fiore
- Story: Jeremy Leven
- Executive Producer: Jack Rapke
- Choreographer: Zachary Woodlee
- Co-Producer: Rick Benattar
- Producer: Susan Montford
- Casting: Richard Hicks
- Production Design: Tom Meyer
- Screenplay: John Gatins
- Editor: Dean Zimmerman
- ADR Mixer: David Betancourt
- Sound Designer: Warren Hendriks
- ADR Recordist: David Lucarelli
- Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Paul Massey
- Sound Engineer: Erin Michael Rettig
- ADR Mixer: Charleen Richards
- Story: Dan Gilroy
- Executive Producer: Mary McLaglen
- Screenplay: Leslie Bohem
- ADR Voice Casting: Caitlin McKenna-Wilkinson
- Supervising Art Director: Seth Reed
- Makeup Artist: Kimberly Jones
- Utility Stunts: Damion Poitier
- Associate Producer: Ron Ames
- ADR Mixer: Ron Bedrosian
- ADR Recordist: Greg Zimmerman
- Storyboard Artist: Michael Anthony Jackson
- Camera Operator: Christos Moisides
- Concept Artist: Tim Flattery
- Concept Artist: Daren Dochterman
- Co-Producer: Eric Hedayat
- Still Photographer: Melissa Moseley
- Grip: Erik F. Hill
- Extras Casting: David Kramer
- Assistant Makeup Artist: Toni Price
- Visual Effects Supervisor: Matthew Gratzner
- Animatronics Supervisor: John Rosengrant
- Camera Operator: Matt Fore
- Assistant Art Director: Bradley Rubin
- Makeup Department Head: Ann Masterson
- Set Dresser: Jamie Bishop
- Props: Joe Dunckley
- Foley Artist: Dan O’Connell
- Set Designer: Tex Kadonaga
- Set Designer: Anne Porter
- Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Craig Henighan
- Hairstylist: Stephanie Arble
- Set Dresser: Carl F. Shuffett
- Visual Effects Coordinator: Lily Shapiro
- Stunts: Sara Holden
- Concept Artist: Victor James Martinez
- Set Designer: Tim Croshaw
- Construction Coordinator: Douglas Womack
- Foley Artist: John T. Cucci
- Set Designer: Mike Stassi
- Construction Coordinator: John Villarino
- Camera Operator: Maurice K. McGuire
- Property Master: Steven B. Melton
- Dialogue Editor: Susan Dawes
- Visual Effects Producer: Daniel Brimer
- Visual Effects Producer: David Sanger
- Digital Compositor: Matthew Collorafice
- Visual Effects Producer: Sean Cushing
- Set Designer: Theodore Sharps
- Casting: Carrie Ray
- Steadicam Operator: David Emmerichs
- Visual Effects Assistant Editor: Patrick Ballin
- Visual Effects Supervisor: Erik Nash
- Digital Compositor: Bruce Nicholson
- Sound Designer: Wayne Lemmer
- Leadman: John Millard
- Key Grip: Jamie Lagerhausen
- Key Hair Stylist: Natalie Driscoll
- Aerial Director of Photography: David B. Nowell
- Visual Effects Supervisor: Olaf Wendt
- Concept Artist: Miles Teves
- ADR Mixer: Greg Steele
- Supervising ADR Editor: Kerry Dean Williams
- Foley Editor: Bruce Tanis
- Digital Intermediate Producer: Marisa Clayton
- Music Editor: Terry Wilson
- Visual Effects Editor: Steve Miller
- Animation Supervisor: Danny Gordon Taylor
- Gaffer: Chris Culliton
- Hair Department Head: Nina Paskowitz
- First Assistant Sound Editor: Skip Longfellow
- Digital Compositor: Kevin Lingenfelser
- Special Effects Technician: Kevin McTurk
- Makeup Artist: Jayne Laube
- Senior Animator: William R. Wright
- Hairstylist: Clifton Chippewa
- Animation: Erik Baker
- Makeup Artist: Pamela S. Westmore
- Set Designer: David Moreau
- Stunt Double: Kelli Barksdale
- Hairstylist: Lauren Kress
- Art Department Coordinator: Andrea Carter
- Special Effects Technician: Edward T. Reiff Jr.
- Hairstylist: Jeannette Moriarty
- Assistant Hairstylist: Meshelle Melone
- Key Makeup Artist: Erin Wooldridge
- Script Supervisor: Diane Durant
- Compositor: Gresham Lochner
- Compositor: Matthew Bramante
- Music Supervisor: Jennifer Hawks
- Hairstylist: Elizabeth Cortez
- Digital Intermediate Colorist: Skip Kimball
- Foley Mixer: Blake Collins
- Sound Mixer: Steve Cantamessa
- Dialogue Editor: Helen Luttrell
- Construction Foreman: Satcha Congdon
- Foley Mixer: James Ashwill
- Boom Operator: Scott La Rue
- Art Department Coordinator: Jourdan Henderson
- Painter: Tim Stadler
- Digital Compositor: Steven Fagerquist
- Digital Compositor: Wesley Cronk
- Grip: Sean T. Kelly
- Storyboard Artist: Joel Venti
- Construction Coordinator: Bobby Mara
- Visual Effects Assistant Editor: Justin Shaw
- Dolly Grip: Troy N. Wade
- Best Boy Electric: Jarek Gorczycki
- Pre-Visualization Supervisor: Casey Schatz
- First Assistant “A” Camera: Larry Nielsen
- Set Dresser: Justin N. Lang
- Grip: Ryan Nelson
- Compositor: Krista Benson
- Storyboard Artist: Trevor Goring
- Additional Lighting Technician: Chris McLeod
- Set Decoration Buyer: Jim Warren
- Visual Effects Coordinator: Molly Pabian
- Art Department Assistant: Jennifer Bash
- Boom Operator: Gary Thomas
- Extras Casting: Tracy Dixon
- Stunts: Marie Fink
- Music Supervisor: Anthony Seyler
- Techno Crane Operator: Jaime Dawkins
- Conceptual Illustrator: Andrew H. Leung
- Key Grip: John Janusek
- Electrician: Salim Bensrhir
- Visual Effects Production Assistant: Hayley Perkins
- Electrician: Nicholas Kaat
- Digital Compositor: Francis Puthanangadi
- Grip: Amy Snell
- Casting Assistant: Olivia Thomas
- Lighting Technician: Matt Kubas
- ADR Mixer: Thomas J. O’Connell
- Key Grip: Dennis Hoerter
- Post Production Assistant: Tony Ferdinand
- Digital Effects Supervisor: Swen Gillberg
- Foley Mixer: John Guentner
- Set Dresser: Scott Schutzki
- Digital Compositor: Marie Victoria Denoga
- Visual Effects Production Assistant: Monet Sheree Funke
- Rigging Grip: John Beran
- Assistant Property Master: Jeremy Thompson
- ADR Recordist: Michael Rivera
- Graphic Designer: Mike Mahern
- Animation Supervisor: Erik Gamache
- CG Supervisor: Paul George Palop
- Digital Compositor: Yuka Hosomi
- Special Effects Technician: Steven Munson
- Special Effects Technician: Garth Steinheimer
- Digital Compositor: Randy Brown
- Graphic Designer: Megan Greydanus
- Digital Compositor: Michael Miller
- Hairstylist: Jack McQuisten
- Makeup Artist: Eleyna M. Brandt
- Art Department Assistant: Rishi Moudgil
- Art Department Assistant: Rick Radomski
- Art Department Production Assistant: Ceri Glowacki
- Construction Buyer: Leslie A. Tokunaga
- Construction Foreman: Joseph F. Beeco
- Carpenter: Anthony Darin
- Painter: Peter Sikkelee
- Painter: Tom Sparkman
- Painter: Wilson Wilkes
- Propmaker: David Brayman
- Propmaker: Chris Frankovich
- Propmaker: Robert M. Gualdoni
- Propmaker: David Stasiak
- Set Dresser: Derek Dubyak
- Set Dresser: Bobby Rhodes
- Set Dresser: Mark Sejnowski
- Best Boy Grip: John P. Shine
- Dolly Grip: Diego Mariscal
- Electrician: Derek Reynolds
- Grip: Marvin J. Bowie
- Grip: Ryan Carnahan
- Grip: Neal Wilde
- Grip: Donald Jones
- Lighting Technician: Kenny Kondratko
- Lighting Technician: Dan Mikulski
- Rigging Grip: Tiffany Burns
- Second Assistant Camera: Bobby McMahan
- Second Assistant “A” Camera: Naomi Villanueva-Brunner
- Casting Assistant: Mia Cusumano
- Casting Associate: Kate Hubbell
- Compositing Supervisor: Michael Maloney
- Compositing Supervisor: Michael Melchiorre
- Compositor: Leon Nowlin
- Compositor: John Brennick
- Compositor: Bob Roesler
- Compositor: Ned Wilson
- Digital Compositor: Wally Chin
- Digital Compositor: Nicholas Kim
- Digital Compositor: Young Joon Mok
- Digital Compositor: Carlos Morales
- Digital Compositor: Kym Olsen
- Digital Compositor: Clancy Silver
- Digital Compositor: Ryan T. Smolarek
- Digital Compositor: Kellany Stewart
- Digital Compositor: Emi Baba
- Digital Compositor: Kirstin Hall
- Digital Compositor: Will Johnson
- Digital Compositor: Patrick Keenan
- Digital Compositor: Wing Kwok
- Digital Compositor: Aaron Singer
- Digital Compositor: Brian Smallwood
- Digital Compositor: Hirofumi Takeda
- Digital Effects Supervisor: Jeffrey Jasper
- Matte Painter: Gillian George
- Matte Painter: Daniel Thron
- Visual Effects: Daniel Buck
- Visual Effects: Phaneendra Gullapalli
- Visual Effects: John Niehuss
- Visual Effects: Sally Slade
- Visual Effects: Angella Szynkowski
- Visual Effects: Jody Wilson
- Visual Effects: Krystina Shales Wilson
- Visual Effects: Brandon F. Ottenbacher
- Visual Effects Coordinator: Charlyn Go
- Visual Effects Coordinator: Luke Hippely
- Visual Effects Production Assistant: Kyle Collins
- Visual Effects Production Assistant: Brett Hartley
- Visual Effects Production Assistant: Teddy Phuthanhdanh
- Visual Effects Production Assistant: Katryna Shattuck
- Visual Effects Technical Director: Ray Haleblian
- Special Effects Assistant: K.C. Bartos
- Special Effects Assistant: Steve Buttermore
- Special Effects Assistant: Argie M. Floyd
- Special Effects Assistant: David Revel
- Special Effects Assistant: David Nicholson
- ADR Mixer: Russ Fitzpatrick
- Colorist: Joe Aliberto
- First Assistant Editor: Adriaan van Zyl
- Post Production Assistant: Chris Goodson
- Post Production Assistant: Samuel Lemberg
- Music: Poe
Movie Reviews:
- John Chard: No splitting this Atom, it has got a rock solid heart.
Real Steel is directed by Shawn Levy and collectively adapted to the screen by John Gatins, Dan Gilroy and Jeremy Leven from a Richard Matheson short story called Steel. It stars Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, Kevin Durand, Hope Davis and James Rebhorn. Music is scored by Danny Elfman and cinematography by Mauro Fiore.
Set in the near future, robot boxing is a big crowd pulling sport. After a struggling robot operator is introduced to an 11-year-old son he has never known, they stumble upon a discarded robot at a junk yard….
We can all moan about the mimicry of an idea and the clichés that dominate Real Steel, but you really got to hand it to the makers for what they have achieved. They have crafted a family film that’s very much perfect in this day and age. The story is one that any adult Sylvester Stallone fan can acknowledge and appreciate, the human heartbeat pleasingly steady, while the premise of big colourful robots beating the crap out of each other delights youngsters and us adults who are still young at heart. Film pretty much does what any other film of this type does, lays on the syrup in the last quarter where second chances and family strife come thundering through the plotting. Undeniably it’s hugely derivative, events are joystick operated to get an emotional response from a family audience, while product placement reins and the script often sags under the weight of unoriginality. But it does uplift the spirit and getting to the end is easy since it’s so much berserker fun. Yes it’s the robot Atom, the people’s champion, yes it’s David vS Goliath and yes! It’s Balboa vS Creed. Nothing wrong with that really.
The cast don’t really have to offer up much beyond being adequate within the context of the material, though a muscular Jackman finds good paternal chemistry with young Goyo. In fact Goyo is pleasingly not annoying, always a bonus is that. Inevitably the robots are the stars, they’re a triumph of design and visual effects and a sight for sore eyes, while Levy has a good handle on staging the fight sequences – even when cribbing from Balboa. The near future look is terrific as well, with Fiore’s colour photography very appealing. Coining in over $290 million at the worldwide box office (over £180 million in profit), Real Steel found the family audience it was looking for, proving once again that there is a market for simple and effective popcorn carnage. It’s not high art or intelligently scripted, but was anyone seriously thinking that was going to be the case here? If you want brains with this premise then seek out Twilight Zone episode “Steel”, starring the excellent Lee Marvin, otherwise just sit back and enjoy the ride and let the botty bots and human interest raise the pulse and gladden the heart respectively. 7/10
Home format release is a sparkling print, extras are annoyingly short but the blooper reel is fun, we get a stunt deconstruction, and we learn about the influence a certain Mr. Spielberg had on the production.
- Gimly: I wonder if this was originally written to be a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots movie, but when they couldn’t get the rights they just decided to make it anyway. In either case, it’s not very good. Amazing that you could take a movie about anthropomorphic **robots** and manage to still make it into a cliche sports film.
_Final rating:★½: – Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible._