Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots: The Movie
AKA Real Steel, but really, it's exactly what it says in my subject line.
To summarize it thusly: it's a robot sports movie. Basically Rocky, but with a robot. The cliches are cliched, but this movie is pretty good proof that cliches become cliches for a reason, because they're effective. It draws out something primal inside you, appeals to your subconscious, your inner child, your lizard brain. I enjoyed the movie very much and even though many things were a foregone conclusion, I felt the pull of OMG IS HE GONNA MAKE IT????
With that said, Hugh Jackman was not shirtless NEARLY enough. Much like Gerard Butler, Hugh Jackman is meant to be naked, and verily, he was not naked enough. Also, the kid who plays his son in this movie is the real star. Normally I hate Sassy Child, but his sassiness mitigated Hugh Jackman's character's asshattery, so the equation balanced out.
And on the subject of his asshattery, that's my major complaint about the movie. The "redemption" arc rang hollow for me, because IRL, shitty irresponsible assholes like that stay shitty irresponsible assholes no matter how many spunky children or beautifully faithful love interests enter their lives. Maybe it's my manhate showing, idk, or my cynical belief that people never really change, but while I can suspend disbelief that the movie world could be one where robot boxing is a big fucking deal, I could not suspend my disbelief regarding Jackman's character. I have no love or sympathy for good-looking, charming (white) guys who leech off and manipulate those around them and get away with it because they're a good-looking, charming (white) guy. I am increasing intolerant of this character type and would love it if they'd just go away forever.
To summarize it thusly: it's a robot sports movie. Basically Rocky, but with a robot. The cliches are cliched, but this movie is pretty good proof that cliches become cliches for a reason, because they're effective. It draws out something primal inside you, appeals to your subconscious, your inner child, your lizard brain. I enjoyed the movie very much and even though many things were a foregone conclusion, I felt the pull of OMG IS HE GONNA MAKE IT????
With that said, Hugh Jackman was not shirtless NEARLY enough. Much like Gerard Butler, Hugh Jackman is meant to be naked, and verily, he was not naked enough. Also, the kid who plays his son in this movie is the real star. Normally I hate Sassy Child, but his sassiness mitigated Hugh Jackman's character's asshattery, so the equation balanced out.
And on the subject of his asshattery, that's my major complaint about the movie. The "redemption" arc rang hollow for me, because IRL, shitty irresponsible assholes like that stay shitty irresponsible assholes no matter how many spunky children or beautifully faithful love interests enter their lives. Maybe it's my manhate showing, idk, or my cynical belief that people never really change, but while I can suspend disbelief that the movie world could be one where robot boxing is a big fucking deal, I could not suspend my disbelief regarding Jackman's character. I have no love or sympathy for good-looking, charming (white) guys who leech off and manipulate those around them and get away with it because they're a good-looking, charming (white) guy. I am increasing intolerant of this character type and would love it if they'd just go away forever.