I have to admit, every time something comes up about this film I have to feel like it’s a big joke or something. There’s something that comes across as complete B movie material in terms of the setting that no matter how serious it is, it’s got a goofy anime-esque element to that’s going to be difficult to deal with. Due out on October 7th and directed by Shawn Levy, who has done the Night at the Museum movies, Date Night and Cheaper by the Dozen, this has that kind of feel all over it. The feature does have some draw to it as he managed to get Hugh Jackman to sign on as the lead and Evangeline Lilly will grace it with her presence and I’m sure there are some SF aficionados out there that will talk about how the original short story by Richard Matheson back in 1956 is one of the best things ever. But something about it is just… well, hard to take seriously. What do you think after reading the summary and checking out the trailer? $80 million well spent on production alone by DreamWorks?
Plot summary: Charlie Kenton is a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.
