This biopic takes a look at part of the career of Mohammed Ali, starting from when he won his first championship, and going through the next decade to his victory in the ''Rumble in the Jungle'' in Zaire. We follow his ups and downs and various relationships, from the neverending flow of women to the politics with the Nation of Islam. The spats with broadcaster Howard Cosell provide frequent light relief.
158 minutes, No persons under 13 (Language, Violence, Prejudice)
Action, Drama, Male conflict & bonding
Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver, Jeffrey Wright, Mykelti Williamson, Jada Pinkett Smith
Director
Michael Mann
Screenplay
Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson, Eric Roth, Michael Mann, Gregory Allen Howard
Music
Pieter Bourke, Bill Brown, Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, Marvin Gaye, Lisa Gerrard, R. Kelly
Cinematography
Emmanuel Lubezki
Sound formats
Dolby Digital, Sony Dynamic Digital Sound, DTS
Soundtrack
Not available
Made in
2001
Produced by
Columbia Pictures Corporation, Forward Pass, Initial Entertainment Group, Moonlighting Films South Africa, Overbrook Entertainment, Peters Entertainment, Picture Entertainment Corporation
Ian Douglas: The American critics loved this, I did not find it particularly outstanding, nor do I understand why Smith was nominated
for an Oscar. His acting is not bad, but it's not stellar either, IMHO, often it seems similar to his Fresh Prince. I found the number of
lovers he had rather confusing, and lost track of who was his wife and who merely a sleeping partner. The role of Islamic politics
pops up frequently -- too frequently -- and merely serves to illustrate that perhaps organised religion is more about control than
getting to heaven. The repartee and relationship with Cosell was new to me, and the high points of the movie. I also felt that
the boxing scenes went on way too long, YMMV.
Andreas Lupp (20): Although one does see Ali in Smith's performance, Although the script is funny, Although the music is enjoyable...The champ is not here. Ali is one of those example films where one just feels that the director felt passionately about the project and has photographic talent, but does not have a point to make. This is reflected in the storyline as well as the cinematography, the life of Ali is portrayed but there does not seem to be a point as to why the film was made. That lack of direction makes the film nakedly average.
Pfarelo Rambuda (21): It doesn't have a plot, it's pathetic!
Gastao Mendes (33): Average movie. Why? because it does not give you enough of a story to get to know Ali! Too much time on boxing scenes and too little on other details of his life!
