In association with

Ali - Two Disc Set [2002]
from Entertainment in Video
starring Will Smith|Jamie Foxx|Jon Voight|Mario Van Peebles
directed by Michael Mann

Features:

• Anamorphic
• Box set
• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial Review:

Ali is a substantial biopic that follows the career of Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali from 1964--when he took the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston--to 1974, when he took it back from George Foreman in Zaire. Along the way, the film looks at Ali's three marriages and his problematic involvement with the Nation of Islam, which inspires him to change his name, get rid of his first wife (Jada Pinkett Smith) and turn his back on old ally Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles).

For a fiercely independent person, Michael Mann's Ali has a knack of alienating those who genuinely love him, while chasing the approval of dubious father figures such as the Reverend Elijah Mohamed, Don King and President Mobutu. Although Ali is not a hagiography--Mann urging Will Smith to get into the many layers of Ali, from the mouthy public face to the quieter private person--the question of whether either of the Liston fights were fixed isn't even raised, and the fall of Ali's career is left out in favour of a climax that draws heavily from the documentary When We Were Kings. Mann is as interested in the politics as he is in the sport (which leaves actors like Ron Silver as the coach short-changed), offering occasional cutaways to the government spies and plants in the black movements. More knockout blows are offered in the speeches than in the ring. --Kim Newman

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0

• Where is Ali's wit?
  This is a decent movie, but not what I expected. The acting and everything regarding the production is good but its the portayal of Ali himself that annoys me. Sure, they show his couragousness, his bravery, his greatness in the ring .... but where is Ali's legendary witt and sense of humour, its simply not there. The most noteable thing about Ali, when watching the interviews he conducted at that time, was his humour, his wit and his sense of fun .... none of that is present in this movie. Instead they... more info

• Major Dissapointment
  I saw this film in the cinema and as a huge boxing fan and fan of the real Muhammed Ali, I couldn't wait for this film. But unlike the real Ali, Will Smith came across quite dull with a monotone voice in my opinion - Ali was full of life and always cracking jokes - see the rumble in the jungle documentary. Also the boxing was unrealistic as well but I box myself so maybe I'm too harsh. Basically if you are a fan of boxing and/or Muhammed Ali don't buy this film, buy the rumble in the jungle documentary... more info

• Oscar Worthy
  What a film by Michael Mann and the best performance yet from Will Smith. Will Smith is truly brilliant at displaying Ali and has give a really good performance. It is compelling viewing with each actual fight scene being shown brilliantly.
  Such sporting brilliance has been given justice by this classic film. Buy it now!

• Flat and underwhelming
  I love Michael Mann's films but this was a bit of a disappointment. There are a few of his trademark signatures like his curiosity about the women, and at times it's moving, but boxing is drama in itself. Making films of ring action just seem like a poor imitation.
  Muhammed Ali was such a character, a film of him struggles to flesh him out. The music is good. Will Smith is quite good. Overall, I was a bit bored.

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