'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee' (Ali (DVD))

Member Name: paddeh

Product:	Ali (DVD)
Date:	14/01/06 (236 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good acting, exciting boxing matches

Disadvantages: Slow pace at times, fails to look at events in-depth

This is a movie only review and I will not make any references to the DVD apart from saying that it is available for around £7.

Ali is directed by Michael Mann and was originally released in 2001. The film covers a 10 year period of Muhammed Ali’s boxing career, 1964-1974, but overall seems to be rushed. As a result we only touch on the events and do not get a real chance to look in-depth which is a shame. Will Smith plays the part of Ali and does an excellent job in my opinion in recreating the true character that Muhammed Ali was in terms of boxing ability and arrogance. The movie contains a number of boxing matches in a highlight kind of format but only shows the main fights during this 10 year period; title bouts such as ‘Rumble in the Jungle’.

The film picks up showing Ali’s first title bout where he wins the heavy weight championship from Sonny Liston (1964). The next hour of the movie shows Ali converting to the Islamic faith followed by his refusal to fight in the Vietnam War resulting in a jail term – Also removing his boxing belt. Shortly after he is cleared and starts back on the road to the heavy weight championship where we see fights with Joe Frasier and George Foreman. Throughout the film we are introduced to the friends in Ali’s life such as trainer Angelo Dundee (played by Ron Silver), and the Bundini (played by Jamie Foxx). Among the many women in his life we also get to see his first wife Sonji Roi (played by Jada Pinkett Smith), second wife Belinda Boyd (played by Nona M. Gaye), and to-be third wife Veronica Porsche (played by Michael Michele)… busy man!

In places the movie seems rather slow paced which is a shame because the acting by the main characters in good and the boxing matches are exciting to watch; even though many will know the outcome. Overall Ali is not on the same level as other boxing movies such as Rocky and Raging Bull but is a fascinating insight into the life of Muhammed Ali and is worth watching for any hardcore fans or people who are just interesting in learning more about Muhammed Ali as a man and a fighter.

Director: Michael Mann
Main Cast: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver, Jeffrey Wright, Mykelti Williamson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Nona M. Gaye, Michael Michele, Joe Morton

Rating: 15
Run Time: 2 Hours 36 minutes (approx)
Release Year: 2001

Summary: Worth watching to learn about Muhammed Ali as a man and a fighter