Packing a fistful of metal and dripping with rusty cheese, Real Steel successfully blends action and sentiment while paying tribute to the classic films of Sylvester Stallone.

Much like J.J. Abrams’ Super 8 was an ode to Steven Spielberg, Real Steel takes inspiration from the heartfelt underdog stories which the great Stallone made his bread and butter in the ‘80s.

Rocky of course set the tone for all great boxing movies to follow, and Real Steel director Shawn Levy does not hide his love for the fighting adventures of the Italian Stallion. Yet more apparent is the (almost) cut and paste plotline from Stallone’s arm wrestling opus Over the Top, with its story of absentee father and brat son bonding over the world of primal sports this time made into a better movie.

Hugh Jackman stars as Charlie Kenton, a former prize fighter who barely makes a living as a hustler in the underground world of robot boxing. Trying to stay one step ahead of creditors baying for his blood (one of whom is played by the always solid Kevin Durand), Charlie is given the added responsibility of guardian to his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo).

Of course neither like each other in the beginning, yet with a runtime of 127 minutes Levy takes his time in creating a heartfelt father and son relationship, built on the love of watching robots fight to the death.

The idea of fighting robots has been a point of discourse for money, thanks mainly to the hatred of the Transformers movies. Yet those expecting the worst need not worry. There is soul to the machines of Real Steel especially that of “Atom”, Charlie and Max’s robot fighting underdog who climbs the ranks and acts as a conduit in the father-son dynamic.

Levy is a deft hand at filming special effects pieces and the robot boxing scenes in Real Steel is no exception, with the clang and crunch of metal on metal felt with every swing.

The performances hit their mark as well, especially from Jackman who mixes emotion with brawn very well, and young Goyo who plays the part of stubborn brat without coming off as annoying.

There is no denying Real Steel can be corny as hell and is lacking in originality. Yet it is a well made blockbuster with character and heart that has embraced the Stallone-esque underdog spirit.

Think more “eye of the tiger” than “more than meets the eye”.