[Robert Crawford]

This thread is now designated the Official Discussion Thread for "Ali". Please, post all comments, links to outside reviews, film and box office discussion items to this thread.

All HTF member film reviews of "Ali" should be posted to this thread.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.


Crawdaddy

[Alex Spindler]

I have a feeling that this won't come as a surprise to anyone, but I have steadily been getting exposure to the Michael Mann film Ali and have found it to have greater degrees of depth and heart than I initially gave it credit for.

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting when I had heard about it, but I wasn't very enthused about seeing it. I admit total ignorance about Muhammad Ali. I suppose that I just saw it as a vanity vehicle for Will Smith. I don't know why I discounted the involvement of Mann, though. I've enjoyed greatly every film of his that I have seen, so I should have expected greater things from this.

First and foremost, I don't think I can say enough about how transformed Will Smith is in this film. Not knowing much about the physicality of Ali at that stage in his life, I thought Smith seemed to be quite comfortable in the ring and seemed to be credible as a fighter. But it was the mannerisms, pattern of speech, and general charisma that I was most impressed with. Every dialog with him was a joy to listen to, be it the cadence, the conviction, or the wonderful words (which I assume were based on Ali's own words). Smith really had me feeling that Ali was a real person in some extraordinary times and situations.

The supporting cast is also universally excellent. Outside of the stunt casting of Jada Pinkett (who wasn't bad at all), everyone else just improves the scenes they are in. Most notable was Jon Voight, lost under makeup as Howard Cosell, and an excellent turn by Jamie Foxx as Bundini. Both of them work excellently with Smith to enhance the story and emotions of the scenes they are in.

Again, being ignorant about the life of Ali, I think the slices given in the film present a compelling story with excellent pacing. Covering a set of excellent arcs from his early rise to his lowest moments. The selected fights all support the film as a whole and are exciting to watch. Covering his legal battle over his drafting brought some very powerful scenes, the best of which is his challenge issued to the world after his sentencing. An excellent monologue sold with conviction by Smith.

Also worthy of mention is the steady hand of Michael Man. The pacing of the wide variety of scenes and themes is kept solid and ever compelling. A lot of hand camera work gives a bit of a documentary feel that lends authenticity despite the beautiful sheen given the film. Also of note are digital camera work used judiciously in the ring to emphasize the chaos and speed of the fights.

Finally there is the outstanding score and music, used to good effect to punctuate the themes of the film. Especially of note are the score and songs used during the Africa scenes, which always help sell the emotion of the experience. The wonderful song "Tomorrow" by Salif Keita during the memorable conclusion particularly effective.

Those who've looked past this thinking it is nothing more than a vanity project by Smith, I urge you greatly to reconsider. Those who already hold it in high esteem, I suppose I finally understand what you meant when you sung your praises of this film.

[DaveGR]

I thought ALI was great,I dont think it got the praise it deserved.Smith did an excellent job. Other than Royal Tennenbaums,it was my second fav of the year,In the Bedroom has since pushed it slightly out of second,but nonetheless it was a great little film,that wasnt little by any means. I dont know what people were expecting,but I got everything and more. I dont see how people were let down with this film.It definatly deserves more respect.

[Andy Sheets]

I liked it I thought Will Smith did a great job of portraying Ali. He doesn't truly look or sound like the real deal but he nails the right vibe, which is the most important thing.

One underrated part of the movie not mentioned yet was Mario Van Peebles as Malcolm X. It says a lot about his performance that I never once thought of Denzel Washington while seeing Van Peebles onscreen. I wouldn't have complained at all if he had been nominated for supporting actor.

[JustinCleveland]

Ali was a very good film, but the narrative flow of the film felt jilted as it hurried from point to point, trying to cram too much information into a box that was entirely too small. Instead of developing who Ali was, and making the film a Biopic, or making it into a "greatest hits" type movie with a buildup to some of his great fights, Mann tried to tow the line between the two. As a result, I feel the movie wasn't as cohesive as it could have been.

It was a good movie, and does deserve some praise. However the audience needs to know a lot about Ali, or assume a lot of information that isn't covered in the film, and that makes it feel hollow and rushed.

[DeeF]

Watch the documentary "When We Were Kings" about the Rumble in the Jungle, the fight between Ali and George Foreman. It's a fantastic piece, as good as any feature film, and represents Ali both as cultural hero and superior athlete. It's better than the film Ali.

[Nathan V]

I feel that Ali is wildly underrated. I guess people thought it would be yet another straightforward, normal biopic. Ali is something else. Michael Mann said he wanted to 'inject the audience into the juice that was Ali's life,' and he succeeds admirably. I don't need to mention how good the acting is, Mann is an actor's director, and the screenplay is solid in most places. Mann focuses on the small things, the glimpses of things that stick and become memories- The older man taping Ali's hands before the first fight; Angelo putting stuff in his pockets; Bundini glancing back at Ali while driving; the 'cheerleader' girl at the end, gazing briefly at him. The strongest point, IMO, is the strong sense of atmosphere in the film. He does this by focusing on things and emotions normally overlooked when dealing with Muhammed Ali; the emphasis is not on the fights, but on his inner conflicts (the running scene(s) and the 'riding the the train' sequence are terrific examples). Mann seems to care more about 'feel' than plot. Many audiences didn't like this. I loved it. And let's not forget the ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING cinematography and use of music. But, we wouldn't expect anything less from Michael Mann. I'm glad other people are beginning to appreciate this film.

Regards,
Nathan

[Matt Pasant]

Quote:

Watch the documentary "When We Were Kings" about the Rumble in the Jungle, the fight between Ali and George Foreman. It's a fantastic piece, as good as any feature film, and represents Ali both as cultural hero and superior athlete. It's better than the film Ali.

I tend to agree with those moreso than praise for Ali.

I thought Ali had about an hour missing from it, or at least felt that way. But in other parts, I felt like it had an hour put into that wasnt needed.

I think the problem with the film is actually its subject matter. So much of Ali's life was documented heavily in film, print, radio, tv, etc that very little of the movie felt insightful to me. Instead I just felt that we got recreations of press conferences, fights, and run-ins with nation of islam. I was personally looking for some more sizzle to the stake.

That said, I think its probably is Smiths finest acting job.

-- Matt

[Alex Spindler]

Good point Matt. Perhaps the reason I enjoyed it so much was that I didn't know much about Ali, and hadn't seen any of the documentaries about him, either.