Ali review by Orlando C. Fernando January 5, 2002 Storyline: 8(0=worst, 10=best) Originality: N/A Acting: 9 Special Effects: 0 Overall: C+ (F=worst, A=best)

Ali, that is, Mohammed Ali, is known to be one of the greatest American boxers in the world.
This movie attempts to show several sides to this legend, mostly in his early boxing years through the major fight with George Foreman. Ali (Will Smith) faces conflicts with his growing boxing career and publicity over his Muslim faith, particularly at a time when the civil rights movement was the hot issue in America. Throughout the film, he is shown to always persevere and never let his faith falter in his religion as well as his boxing magic. And he is not afraid to brag about it. The film also goes through the period of his first marriage and his troubled second marriage. Match-wise, the movie's most major presentations are his loss to Joe Fraiser and the confrontation with George Foreman.

The focus, however, falters when it comes to several scenes.
Namely the length of them. Several scenes, particularly intimate scenes between Ali and his two wives (first one portrayed by real-life wife Jada Smith), and a few of the boxing matches themselves, seem to deliver their points then have nothing more to do than to heat up the screen with sex, or overplay classic 60's tunes. Music works in key scenes such as the initial fight being intermixed with a soul performer at a predominantly black club. It also works very well when Ali receives the news that his Muslim confidant Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles) is killed. However too many scenes overemphasize revelations that the audience understands after the first few minutes. For example, Ali jogs the streets of Africa training for the Fraiser fight. He spots several wall graffiti showing different symbols and words representing how much the inhabitants view Ali almost as a god. This jog feels like a marathon! Also regard Ali's strategy in the Foreman fight. We are subject to several rounds of this strategy long after the audience figures it out.

Acting truly shines in the film.
Will Smith really seemed to study Ali's character and accent. He delivers Ali's one-liners with beautiful flair and really portrays his determined but gentle and romantic nature. Several supporting actors contribute well to the scene. Aside from the actors aforementioned, honorable mention goes to Jon Voight playing Howard Cosell and especially Jamie Foxx (yes, the comedian Jamie Foxx) playing Drew "Bundini" Brown.

A potentially good film hindered by plot timing and length.
Director Michael Mann truly needed to cut at least 20 or so minutes to achieve a length to maintain the audience's attention. It is a pity because it had potential to be a better film. I specifically recommend renting this movie on DVD because you can always fast forward or jump chapters if the drama drags too long. While a good attempt, it definitely isn't a knockout movie that delivers on a great punch of action as well as a sound story of Ali's life.

Copyright 2002 by Orlando C. Fernando. Exception is picture of Renee Zellweger from The Bucket. (if copyright-abused, please inform me and I will remove the picture promptly). This page is for personal use only. It may be openly distributed for nonprofit in whole or part, but authorship must be credited.