Every now and then, everybody needs a hero. But what if that hero is an 11-year-old boy who believes in the impossible? Is it possible? What if that same 11-year-old boy sets the standard to win so high that not even those older than him would believe in him? Would you trust a kid to lead a charge to win? Will he be your hero?
Max Kenton (Dakota Goyo) is Real Steel‘s hero and today’s Wednesday Warrior. And if you haven’t seen the movie, therein awaits spoilers.
Unwanted, rejected by those who he thought loved him, Max is a kid who decides to take his fate in his own hands in the futuristic battle bot movie Real Steel.
In a junkyard, as the rain pours and thunder threatens Max’s very survival, the boy falls into the hands of an equally rejected character called Atom. At first, Atom is nothing more than a pile of junk the kid hauls out of a heap to call his own. In a world where robots fight one another, Atom is the lowest grade of robot ever made. It doesn’t have a life, neither is it ready for anything beyond walking.
Through his perseverance though, Max manages to put Atom back together again. Piece by piece Atom becomes whole. All that is missing is a heart.
When Max turns Atom on, he is not so sure what he is in for. Atom doesn’t seem like the robot that could stay in the ring one round, let alone go the distance and win a fight.
Yet, something magical happens. Max believes. He believes Atom is capable of greater things than what others think of it. He believes in the impossible.
Max’s first fight with Atom becomes a lesson in humility when Atom falls to a knockout. In spite of this, Max doesn’t give up on the little robot. He believes. On his hands and knees, he dips his head next to Atom and screams, “Get up, Atom.” Within a matter of seconds, Atom rises as the little robot that could. The second round becomes the proving ground for Atom’s eventual first win in the bot wars.
The story of Max and Atom is well known. It is a story familiar to many. Only this time, it makes Max the unlikely hero.
Max took a robot that no one wanted, Atom, built it back into shape and believed the machine could perform miracles. And miracles it did perform. As Atom’s opponents became large and faster, Max would not give up on his robot. Right from the start, he knew Atom would be a champion among rivals.
Imagine that. How could a kid’s faith have turned a small machine into a winner?
What others don’t seem to understand is that as the world viewed Atom as a robot, Max viewed him as a friend. And if Max believed in his friend, his friend could win any fight—even if the opponent in the fight was impossible to beat.
Have you seen Real Steel? Do you find Max’s friendship with Atom unique?
Looking to God 
It’s been a while, but I remember thinking how Real Steal is a great movie for the entire family. I hope the sequel eventually gets made. For a boy and his robot type story, this is a good one but I have to say I enjoyed Big Hero 6 more. 😀
I saw Big Hero 6 and thought what a great climax. The Incredibles was great, and BH6 was up there with them!
I don’t recall seeing this in the UK unless it was released under another name.
Not sure. Definitely was Real Steel here in North America!
That was a fun movie. Kept wondering if there was more to Atom than they let on.
That was what I was thinking while watching it for the first time. But it turned out great the way it turned out nonetheless.
I cannot remember the last time I went to a movie, but this does sound interesting.
It’s so worth it. Give it a shot!
🙂