The Rumble inside YOU (Ali (DVD))

Member Name: wastingtime

Product:	Ali (DVD)
Date:	16/09/08 (46 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great acting by Smith

Disadvantages: Slow in places

I'm sure 99% of the population of the UK know who Muhammed Ali is, I'm sure the majority can even make the connection between Cassius Clay and Muhammed Ali, but this film is so good because it scratches beneath the surface and shows why Ali was like how he was, and the struggles he went through to achieve greatness!

I would first like to pay tribute to the wonderful acting by Will Smith in the film, I imagine it was one of his toughest roles, as Ali I am sure for a young black man must have been one of the great heroes. And that really comes through, I have always loved to watch someone play their idol, much in the same way Jim Carrey is in 'Man on The Moon'.

Before I watched this film, my basic knowledge of Muhammed Ali was he was one of the greatest boxers the world had ever seen, I had never made a connection between him and any black movements or religious beliefs. But then having not grown up in America and not grown up in the 1960's then I guess their was no reason for me too.

I knew Ali had been referred too as Cassius Clay, but I didn't know why, I didn't know he was shaking off his slave name in a bid to win independence.

Ali was a name given to him by the Church of Islam, before that he had called himself 'Cassius X', as the film shows strong ties between him and Malcolm X. I suppose if you were black man in that era and you had any way to gain publicity for the civil rights movement then it was almost an obligation to be involved - and involved he way.

Ali was struck off by the Gaming Commision and was unable to fight for years, in which time the two biggest names on the scene were Joe Frazier and George Foreman, would that have been the case if Ali had not had his title revoked and allowed to box for the years in which he was in his prime, I guess we will never know!

He almost went to prison as well, after refusing to go and fight in Vietnam, this was the reason he had his boxing license taken away from him, and in this time he was damn near broke, not something you think about when you are as big as a household name as Ali was, but then if you look to recent times, Tyson is also apparantly living in a trailor.

What Smith does so well in this film is to capture the real escense of the man, because not only was he the best boxer in the world at the time, but he was one of the most charismatic. Something that is put across so very well. You begin to love Ali in a whole new sense. A feeling of injustice rises up within you to the point where when it comes to 'The Rumble in the Jungle', one of the most famous boxing matches of all time, you are there with him, taking every punch and delivering every blow, willing him on.

I would rate this as a must see film, Smiths acting talent and obvious deciation to the role is something to be seen, and it gives you much more of an insight into what the great boxer must have been like.

Enjoy

Chris

Summary: A must see for anyone who wants to know more about ALI