Real Steel Trailer (Jackman, Levy)

[Rathmon]

Re: Real Steel Trailer (Jackman, Levy)

Just don't think it's as bad as some are making it out to be.

Are you backing the Aussie actor, or do you actually think this premise works?

Really, what's the biggest thing we're told as screenwriters, regardless of genre? Up the stakes, up the tension, put lives on the line... etc.

Looks like, by the trailer's own words, that they removed all of that by making human-controlled robots fight in place of humans.

Remember that movie where people controlled soldiers in a video game-like setting? Neither do I.

[Terrance Mulloy]

Re: Real Steel Trailer (Jackman, Levy)

Are you backing the Aussie actor, or do you actually think this premise works?

Don't care much for Jackson. But I think it does work. It's Rocky with robots. That's a cool premise. I personally like my robots a little more grimy and rusty, but I'll watch it regardless.

Remember that movie where people controlled soldiers in a video game-like setting? Neither do I.

You mean Gamer? The one that was made for $25 million and grossed nearly $50 million worldwide. Yeah, I remember it well.

[tuukka]

Re: Real Steel Trailer (Jackman, Levy)

I don't know what the story is in this film... But I know what route I would take:

Hugh desperately needs money for something very important. Maybe to get his kids back from hoster care, or whatever. His robot might be financed by sponsors, and Hugh himself is poor.

The fighter robots are semi-sentient. They couldn't fight to full effect otherwise - Boxing requires intelligence and creative tactical thinking.

Now, what if Hugh's robot starts showing signs that it's more than just semi-sentient? Maybe small hints at first, then more and more... A ghosts in the machine.

And finally Hugh realizes his robot is fully sentient - it has a soul. And it doesn't want to fight anymore. But in order to get the money Hugh desperately needs, the robot has to fight - In brutal fights where robots are KILLED. (And maybe if the robot would refuse to fight, the sponsors who own it would force Hugh to format and re-program it and destroy its sentient mind in the process).

I think that's a great conflict. I have no idea if this is what the film will do, but I wouldn't be surprised if it does. I think they are going to add complexity, conflict and drama to the story by making Hugh's robot fully sentient.

[CrackDown]

Re: Real Steel Trailer (Jackman, Levy)

Pure dreck.

[Qwerty]

Re: Real Steel Trailer (Jackman, Levy)

I read the script to this. It's a lot of fun and the trailer really doesn't give too much away. It's 'Over The Top' with robots. Some good character stuff in it. I actually think it will be a good film.

[Madbandit]

Re: Real Steel Trailer (Jackman, Levy)

Just don't think it's as bad as some are making it out to be.

Ditto. It reminds me of an old "Twilight Zone" ep with Lee Marvin. "Reel Steel" isn't "The Fighter", but at least it's a different take on the boxing genre. We writers should take notes.

[Furious Anjel]

Re: Real Steel Trailer (Jackman, Levy)

Ditto. It reminds of an old "Twilight Zone" ep with Lee Marvin. "Reel Steel" isn't "The Fighter", but at least it's a different take on the boxing genre. We writers should take notes.

Good catch. It's another adaptation of Richard Matheson's story, STEEL.





(Still looks bad though)

[lordmanji]

Re: Real Steel Trailer (Jackman, Levy)

Neveldine, the guys who did Gamer, are actually great at action movies, though. Shawn Levy has not shown he can do an action movie and even the one genre he's supposed to be good at, comedy, has been hit and miss. The one thing Real Steal needs most is a human element and Shawn Levy comedies are the epitome of manufactured emotion.

When it boils down to it, the idea of humans fighting with robots just stinks. Comparing this to Rocky is ludicrous. Rocky sacrificed his body every minute he was in the ring. What's crazier is they've got a fine human specimen in Hugh Jackman and he doesn't even box.

[loopdesign]

Re: Real Steel Trailer (Jackman, Levy)

Just don't think it's as bad as some are making it out to be.

This is why I heart you, TM. You're a true movie lover. You write from a place of love, and that joy comes through in your writing. So I will concede that the premise is cool and the potential for fun is high. I also think Levy deserves a chance (since his movies have grossed zillions) and Jackman is a very likable lead. So we'll see. But GAMER was ****.