Ali
starring: Will Smith, Candy Ann Brown, LeVar Burton, David Cubitt, Victoria Dillard
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In 1964, a brash new pro boxer, fresh from his olympic gold medal victory, explodes on to the scene, Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African American's in sport with his proud public self confidence with his unapologetic belief that he is the greatest boxer of all time. To his credit, he sets out to prove that with his highly agile and forceful style soon making him a formidable boxer who soon claims the heavyweight championship. His personal life is no less noteworthy with his allegiance to the Nation of Islam, his friendship with the controversial Malcolm X and his abandonment of his slave name in favour of Muhammad Ali stirring up controversy. Yet, at the top of his game, both Ali's personal and professional lives face the ultimate test with the military draft rules are changed, making him eligible for military induction during the Vietnam War. Despite the fact that he could easily agree to a sweetheart deal that would have meant an easy tour of duty for himself, Ali refuses to submit on principle to cooperate in an unjust war for a racist nation that treated his people so poorly. The cost of that stand is high as he finds himself unable to legally box in his own country while his case is contested in court. What follows is a battle for a man who would sacrifice so much for what he believes in and a comeback that would cement his legend as one of the great sports figures of all time.
Amazon.com essential video:
Ali is a rush of charm, violence, and well-crafted mythmaking sure to enthrall. From the unforgettable surge of the opening--a 10-minute montage of sheer brilliance where formative scenes from the early life of Cassius Clay float along on the rapture of a live performance by Sam Cooke in a Harlem nightclub--through to Muhammad Ali's departure for Zaire to fight George Foreman, Michael Mann's homage is mostly crisp and fleet-footed. As Clay/Ali, Will Smith acquits himself marvelously due in large part to his uncanny re-creation of Ali's most famous weapon, his mesmerizing voice. Indeed, the best scenes throughout showcase Ali's verbal rather than pugilistic sparring; whether with his entourage (notably Jamie Foxx), Howard Cosell (Jon Voight), or Don King (Mykelti Williamson), Michael Mann's Ali has the same authoritative wit and ability to surprise that so disarmed the public. The news conferences and behind-the-scenes banter are exquisitely re-created; not so Ali's flaws. Mann's attempt to depict Ali's womanizing, his dubious affiliation with the Nation of Islam, and his insatiable need for the spotlight seems halfhearted and laborious in comparison to the film's enlivened adoration of its subject. As the sluggish second half of the film betrays, Ali is at its impressionistic best when it's in awe rather than when it explains. --Fionn Meade
In 1964, a brash new pro boxer, fresh from his olympic gold medal victory, explodes on to the scene, Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African American's in sport with his proud public self confidence with his unapologetic belief that he is the greatest boxer of all time. To his credit, he sets out to prove that with his highly agile and forceful style soon making him a formidable boxer who soon claims the heavyweight championship. His personal life is no less noteworthy with his allegiance to the Nation of Islam, his friendship with the controversial Malcolm X and his abandonment of his slave name in favour of Muhammad Ali stirring up controversy. Yet, at the top of his game, both Ali's personal and professional lives face the ultimate test with the military draft rules are changed, making him eligible for military induction during the Vietnam War. Despite the fact that he could easily agree to a sweetheart deal that would have meant an easy tour of duty for himself, Ali refuses to submit on principle to cooperate in an unjust war for a racist nation that treated his people so poorly. The cost of that stand is high as he finds himself unable to legally box in his own country while his case is contested in court. What follows is a battle for a man who would sacrifice so much for what he believes in and a comeback that would cement his legend as one of the great sports figures of all time.
Amazon.com essential video:
Ali is a rush of charm, violence, and well-crafted mythmaking sure to enthrall. From the unforgettable surge of the opening--a 10-minute montage of sheer brilliance where formative scenes from the early life of Cassius Clay float along on the rapture of a live performance by Sam Cooke in a Harlem nightclub--through to Muhammad Ali's departure for Zaire to fight George Foreman, Michael Mann's homage is mostly crisp and fleet-footed. As Clay/Ali, Will Smith acquits himself marvelously due in large part to his uncanny re-creation of Ali's most famous weapon, his mesmerizing voice. Indeed, the best scenes throughout showcase Ali's verbal rather than pugilistic sparring; whether with his entourage (notably Jamie Foxx), Howard Cosell (Jon Voight), or Don King (Mykelti Williamson), Michael Mann's Ali has the same authoritative wit and ability to surprise that so disarmed the public. The news conferences and behind-the-scenes banter are exquisitely re-created; not so Ali's flaws. Mann's attempt to depict Ali's womanizing, his dubious affiliation with the Nation of Islam, and his insatiable need for the spotlight seems halfhearted and laborious in comparison to the film's enlivened adoration of its subject. As the sluggish second half of the film betrays, Ali is at its impressionistic best when it's in awe rather than when it explains. --Fionn Meade
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Packs a Solid Punch
Ali is a biopic directed by Michael Mann that successfully covers legendary boxing icon Muhammad Ali's benchmarks over a ten-year time frame. The film opens as Cassius Clay prepares for his fight against heavy weight titleholder Sonny Liston. `That man's so ugly, when he sweat... the sweat run backwards off his forehand just to stay away from his face.' The famous `Louisville Lip' opens up as Clay taunts his opponent during a press conference.
From that point on, there is no doubt that Will ... Read More
Rating: - Where is the Champ?
ALI is nothing but a playful punch. Telling the tale of the boxer, Muhammad Ali, the movie goes through his life, starting with the early matches before his rise to fame and struggles with keeping himself in the boxing game after joining the Nation of Islam, to his name change from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali, simultaneous romantic relationships, and refusal to join the Vietnam War. Though the film is accurate in the portrayal of events and the character of Ali and even delves into aspects of racism ... Read More
Rating: - Float like a butterfy, sting like a bee.
AliDVD
Will Smith is eerily like Ali.It's like Cassiuss Clay is playing himself.I remember watching Clay fight in the Olympics and Smith has him down pat.I'd admired Ali for being willing to go to prison for his convictions instead of fleeing to Canada like all the other bed-wetting, Mommas boys who opposed the War in Viet Nam.Jon Voight is good as Howard Cosell, who was a nobody until he weaseled his way into Ali'slife.I understand that Smith and Voight both received Academy ... Read More
Rating: 
- Good film that could have been great
Ali is a good film that could have been great. Will Smith plays Ali with great passiond vigor. Micheal Mann direction and cinematography is some the best work he has ever done, but the film drags in its second half and ends on a dry note. I think the film should ahve covered Ali's whole life not just ten years that were covered in the film. Until The Purusit Of Happyness, this was Will Smith's best performance as he gives the auidence the charmisa and charm that he displayed in Six Degrees Of Seperation. ... Read More
Rating: - Better than average Bio-pic
While it obviously could be referred to as a boxing picture, this nice Michael Mann biographical effort is more a character study of the one of the most charismatic figures ever to step into the squared circle. Mr. Mann shifts gears appropriately from his heavy action yarns (Thief, Last of the Mohicans, Heat) to provide an insightful look into the life of this legendary boxer as Will Smith pulls off the title role rather well yet regrettably holds back much of the wit, humor and unpredictable antics Ali was ... Read More
- Packs a Solid PunchAli is a biopic directed by Michael Mann that successfully covers legendary boxing icon Muhammad Ali's benchmarks over a ten-year time frame. The film opens as Cassius Clay prepares for his fight against heavy weight titleholder Sonny Liston. `That man's so ugly, when he sweat... the sweat run backwards off his forehand just to stay away from his face.' The famous `Louisville Lip' opens up as Clay taunts his opponent during a press conference.
From that point on, there is no doubt that Will ... Read More
- Where is the Champ?ALI is nothing but a playful punch. Telling the tale of the boxer, Muhammad Ali, the movie goes through his life, starting with the early matches before his rise to fame and struggles with keeping himself in the boxing game after joining the Nation of Islam, to his name change from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali, simultaneous romantic relationships, and refusal to join the Vietnam War. Though the film is accurate in the portrayal of events and the character of Ali and even delves into aspects of racism ... Read More
- Float like a butterfy, sting like a bee.AliDVD
Will Smith is eerily like Ali.It's like Cassiuss Clay is playing himself.I remember watching Clay fight in the Olympics and Smith has him down pat.I'd admired Ali for being willing to go to prison for his convictions instead of fleeing to Canada like all the other bed-wetting, Mommas boys who opposed the War in Viet Nam.Jon Voight is good as Howard Cosell, who was a nobody until he weaseled his way into Ali'slife.I understand that Smith and Voight both received Academy ... Read More
- Good film that could have been greatAli is a good film that could have been great. Will Smith plays Ali with great passiond vigor. Micheal Mann direction and cinematography is some the best work he has ever done, but the film drags in its second half and ends on a dry note. I think the film should ahve covered Ali's whole life not just ten years that were covered in the film. Until The Purusit Of Happyness, this was Will Smith's best performance as he gives the auidence the charmisa and charm that he displayed in Six Degrees Of Seperation. ... Read More
- Better than average Bio-picWhile it obviously could be referred to as a boxing picture, this nice Michael Mann biographical effort is more a character study of the one of the most charismatic figures ever to step into the squared circle. Mr. Mann shifts gears appropriately from his heavy action yarns (Thief, Last of the Mohicans, Heat) to provide an insightful look into the life of this legendary boxer as Will Smith pulls off the title role rather well yet regrettably holds back much of the wit, humor and unpredictable antics Ali was ... Read More
