In 1974 boxing is now only using androids as athletes with men outlawed from performing any longer. Steel (the great Lee Marvin), a former boxer, and his frustrated but loyal mechanic, Paul (Joe Mantell), have an outmoded model, B2, no longer considered much of a factor in the sport. Paul is totally skeptical that their "Battling Maxo" could even make it through the first minute of the first round, sounding off its modicum of problems, including a bum left arm, such as its need of springs and other parts no longer available. But Steel is undeterred, seeing that his android just needs some repairs that could come with this specific payday, in some sweaty, urban boxing arena, against a superior B7 model that is the pride of Maynard, Kansas. While I think it is indeed a TZ type episode considering it was set a few years into the future during which it was made and featured android boxing, I personally wasn't all that won over as others seem to be. It was a critical hit, but I have noticed a few TZ fans just didn't warm up to it like I didn't. I love Marvin in this, don't get me wrong, but it simply involved the sport's mentality towards winners and losers, and those who lose, often lose big. Marvin's character, I realize, comes off to many as brave and gutsy, but I found him rather stupid in his decision to put himself in such danger when it was clear he could endure severe internal damage, even death. Dying gets you nowhere, and I just found that rather clumsy in its logic. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and all that, so I guess he acted out of a need to get some quick cash, but ultimately he is worse for wear physically (there's no reason to doubt he doesn't die from the injuries he suffered) and half a payday left him with little surplus for his B2. Who's to say he doesn't have to use the money for hospital bills? The bus ride home will cost, and the mechanics needed for his android just simply no longer exist. So in no way was he going to come out of this any better than he went in. So that thinking left me rather disenchanted with this particular episode. I felt pity for Steel, especially considering he felt he had no other choice but to face off with an android boxer he had no chance against in the boxing ring, but there was no way out of the situation in one piece. The androids in how the move and act were impressive, and their eyes are unnerving. Marvin fans will want to see it just the same; he's quite good in it.
Review of Steel
