This item is currently not available. If you have this item,
Join and post it to share with others.
Aliis a rush of charm, violence, and well-crafted mythmaking sure to enthrall. From the unforgettable surge of the opening--a 10-minute montage of sheer brilliance where formative scenes from the early life of Cassius Clay float along on the rapture of a live performance by Sam Cooke in a Harlem nightclub--through to Muhammad Ali's departure for Zaire to fight George Foreman, Michael Mann's homage is mostly crisp and fleet-footed. As Clay/Ali, Will Smith acquits himself marvelously due in large part to his uncanny re-creation of Ali's most famous weapon, his mesmerizing voice. Indeed, the best scenes throughout showcase Ali's verbal rather than pugilistic sparring; whether with his entourage (notably Jamie Foxx), Howard Cosell (Jon Voight), or Don King (Mykelti Williamson), Michael Mann's Ali has the same authoritative wit and ability to surprise that so disarmed the public. The news conferences and behind-the-scenes banter are exquisitely re-created; not so Ali's flaws. Mann's attempt to depict Ali's womanizing, his dubious affiliation with the Nation of Islam, and his insatiable need for the spotlight seems halfhearted and laborious in comparison to the film's enlivened adoration of its subject. As the sluggish second half of the film betrays,Aliis at its impressionistic best when it's in awe rather than when it explains.--Fionn Meade
Why? While the film did a positive thing by refocusing the public's attention onto a key persona of the World's Stage, I did not approve of this movie. And the reason why is that this theatrical tragedy portrayed the real Ali who possessed a for-the-most-part soft-spoken and somewhat shy demeanor and was adoreed by the ladies on a sex symbol scale with a loud-mouthed, vainglorious person who reminded me of some of the negro punks who I attended an integrated school with. So why ruin Ali's reputation over the making of this piece of trash in return for a quick buck. Missed being treacherous on a Judas scale by a fine hair. Couldn't even mention that Muhammad was so good-hearted, how could anyone ask him to kill anybody! So F^^K the movie, S^^K Me Director,&DUCK Me Actor
Disappointing as a biopic This movie, directed by Michael Mann, is all surfaces. I looked forward to learning something about Mohammed Ali, about whom I knew nothing, so it was disappointing to find this film to be more like a music video (or string of them) than a biopic.
There's nothing wrong with the performances. Will Smith is fine; sometimes his resemblance to Ali is almost creepy. But, beyond depth, the movie lacks connective tissue. It's one damn thing after another. You don't feel a why behind anything. Ali becomes a fighter. Why? He converts to Islam. Why? Etc.
So I don't especially recommend it. But if you have the remotest interest in Ali, do see When We Were Kings; this is a terrific documentary about the Ali/Foreman fight in Zaire.THE CHAMP IS HERE!! Wil Smith delivered a knockout performance of The Greatest in Michael Mann's production. I had a chance to see this movie again in my collection. Jamie Foxx also did a super job in the movie. Anyone who followed the career of Muhammad Ali won't be disappointed in this movie portrayal!
