Studio and Year: Touchstone/Disney – 2011
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 127 minutes
Genre: Drama/Sci-fi/Family
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AV (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.35:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio, French DTS-HD 7.1 HR, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lily, Anthony Mackie, Kevin Durand, Hope Davis, James Rebhorn
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Music by: Danny Elfman
Written by: John Gatins
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: January 24, 2012
Film Synopsis (courtesy of imdb):
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.
My Take:
Conceptually speaking Real Steel reminds me of many Sylvester Stallone films involving the underdog mixed with a dash of an estranged father/son storyline who bond while on the road as the father competes in robot boxing thrown together. Formulaic but effective right? The entire Rocky franchise is based on that storyline! The execution, however, even with Evangeline Lily and Hugh Jackman, is poor poor poor! What a waste of talent, what a waste of resources… heck, I want my 127 minutes worth of electricity and projector bulb-life to be refunded.
Great picture quality? Yes! Great sound? Yes! But my oh my, please please please pleeeeeaaaaasssse, avoid this movie at all cost. You’ll thank me. Believe me!
Equipment used for this review:
Anthem MRX-700 Receiver
Grandviewscreen 96” 21:9 matte-white 1.0-gain screen
PSB Century 300i (front and surround speakers)
PSB Image C5 (centre speaker)
PSB Subseries 300 (subwoofer)
Panasonic PT-AE7000U projector
Panasonic BDT-310 BD player
Ultralink Ambiance MKII speaker wires
Viewing room is as per THX and SMPTE recommendation with 45-degree Field of View
Audio: 9/10
Video: 9/10
Storyline: -10/10 (yes, that’s a NEGATIVE)
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