DVD Review: Ali (C+)

Ali (2001)
Directed By Michael Mann
Starring Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight
MPAA: R
Grade: C+

Review by Scott Standish

Muhammad Ali has lived such a remarkable life that attempting to recreate his life story on film must have seemed near impossible. Ali continues to be a living legend and inspiration to us all as he battles Parkinson's disease. Smartly, director Michael Mann chose to focus on the most pivotal time period in the life of the champ, his glory years in the boxing spotlight.

Ali starts with the champ knocking out Sonny Liston, and it follows his personal and professional triumphs as he loses and regains his title. Much has been made about Will Smith's dedication to this role, and the fine actor earned a best actor Academy Award nomination for his work. Smith has Ali down cold, the gestures, the facial expressions, and most importantly, the classic Ali fight moves. His work here is stunning.

Also of mention in this film is the work of Jon Voight as the incomparable Howard Cosell, one of the most maligned and probably misunderstood sportscaster of our time. You have to hand it to Voight for tackling the Cosell persona, and he does it justice.

The problem with this movie is it's length and pacing. At almost two and a half hours long, the script never seems to break into a full gallup, it just slowly and methodically documents the champ's troubles both in and out of the ring. This is quite a shame as the fine acting work here by Voight, Smith and even Jamie Foxx are ruined by a script that could have been a bit sharper, and a movie that could have been tightened a bit in the editing room.

For those that are interested in viewing an engaging documentary on the greatest fighter of all time, by all means seek out the film When We Were Kings. Its the real thing, shot in Africa as Ali prepared for the "Rumble in the Jungle" fight with Joe Frazier.

Buy Ali on DVD