NOT THE GREATEST (Ali (DVD))

Member Name: elspeth334

Product:	Ali (DVD)
Date:	16/03/02 (92 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Will Smith

Disadvantages: Boring

Muhammad Ali is probably the greatest boxer of all time but whether his life transfers onto celluloid and makes interesting viewing is a different story. The biopic directed by Michael Mann is 159 minutes long, most of which is relatively boring.

The plot is mainly a chronological following of Ali’s life while he was at the peak of his boxing capabilities. It follows his life in a selective way but unfortunately it chooses most of the dull stories to tell. It does however follow his romances and therefore adds a little interest and depth to an otherwise lifeless story. It only seems to get interesting during the boxing scenes and there were precious few of them. It does however cover most of the main boxing event like The Rumble in the Jungle and his 1964 defeat of Sonny Liston. This provides some interesting moments but the plot is really let down because it seems to be littered with scenes that appear irrelevant and sometimes confusing. I have heard several opinions from friends agreeing with this. Don’t misunderstand me as I criticise the plot, I did enjoy it but it could have been a lot more interesting.

The acting is on the other hand first rate. All credit really has to go to Will Smith who plays “The Greatest”. He worked out for a year before the role and managed to turn himself into a boxer by having extensive boxing training and gaining 30lb in muscle alone. He has mastered the voice too and due to being a rapper can say flawlessly the speeches and rhymes for which Ali was also renowned. When it comes to the boxing scenes he has mastered the style of fighting used by Ali and literally does “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee”. He handles the fight scenes in an incredible manner and you soon forget that its Will and believe that you are watching the man himself. He is very believable in the role and has a screen presence that dwarfs all others. He conveys as much emotion as he possibly can yet
the plot seems to crush his efforts. All the supporting cast all do a superb job but seem shadowed by Will Smiths role, this however could have been the real life scenario.

The boxing scenes are incredible although there are disappointingly few of them. However when he is in the ring the filming an action appears so realistic that you feel the blows, you feel the pain, you see the blood pour and the sweat splash. It is in my opinion as realistic as any boxing scenes could ever hope to be. The wounds inflicted seem painful yet realistic while the actual fighting looks real. These scenes have the pace and emotion that the rest of the film lacks. These at least mean that it’s not a total loss.

Basically is you like dramas you will probably like this but if you like something with a little bit of pace to keep you interested then give it a miss. Without Will Smith this film would be nothing he deserves an Oscar for Best Actor yet the movie has a lot that could be improved upon. Risk it if you want but I say wait for the video its not worth the money for the cinema.

Summary: