Movie Description
Michael Mann's ALI manages to be an informative look at the career of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and an entertaining and moving portrait of the man. The action begins with the brash young Cassius Clay's surprising victory over Sonny Liston. The film depicts Clay's conversion to Islam, his partnership with "Bundini" Brown (Jamie Foxx in a wonderfully complex turn), his friendship with Howard Cosell (a transformed Jon Voight), his principled refusal to serve in the military during Vietnam, and his subsequent problems with the law and the boxing commission. The film concludes with Ali's battle with George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle."
Will Smith delivers a worthy performance, transforming his body, face, and voice to capture the spirit of the charismatic fighter. The work of the supporting cast is superb, including Smith's real-life wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Marvin Gaye's daughter, Nona Gaye, as the women in Ali's life. Mann brings the viewer in close to the boxing action, effectively depicting Ali's unique grace and quickness, and the violent frenzy of the sport. The film shows the familiar public figure of fights and press conferences, and also gives a glimpse of the quiet, thoughtful private life of Ali.
| Credits | | Producer: | A. Kitman Ho, Jon Peters, Michael Mann, Paul Ardaji | | Cast: | Giancarlo Esposito, Mario Van Peebles |
| Details | | Edition: | Director's Cut |
Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Michael Mann - Director
Featurette - 1. Making Of, Theatrical Release: DECEMBER 25, 2001
Editorial Reviews
"...ALI is a breakthrough for director Michael Mann....His overwhelming love of its subject will turn audiences into exuberant, thrilled fight crowds..."
New York Times - p.E1 - Elvis Mitchell (12/25/2001)
"...Dazzling....As Ali, Will Smith undergoes the kind of astonishing self-transformation that makes you blink, then stare..."
Entertainment Weekly - p.44-5 - Owen Gleiberman (01/04/2002)
"...Smith gives a towering performance, defiantly funny and impassioned....Mann and Smith deliver this powerhouse with the urgency of a champ's left hook..."
Rolling Stone - p.56 - Peter Travers (01/17/2002)
"...[The film] possesses an informed, intelligent perspective..."
Variety - p.35-41 - Todd McCarthy (12/17/2001)
"...Smith is undeniably excellent in the role, capturing the essence of Ali's character....Other supporting performers are equally convincing..."
Box Office - p.56 - Wade Major (02/01/2002)
"...Smith has nailed the voice, the charm, the body language -- he has, in short, become Ali as much as any actor possibly could..."
Total Film - p.100 - George Kiritopoulos (03/01/2002)
"...Will Smith embodies the public Ali with supreme confidence, bringing the familiar routines to his life without falling back on mere impersonation..."
Sight and Sound - John Wrathall (03/01/2002)
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