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As he got older the Ali invincibility went missing and he
lost a number of key fights, but he won - and held - the world
boxing crown three times over the space of two decades. I
can still remember running home from school as a teenager
to watch the fights and marvel at his skills - even though
they didn't compare with his prime.
He was the greatest boxer ever to pull on gloves and yet
the champ had been unable to fight during his best years -
banned from boxing by scumbag boxing authorities because he
refused to be drafted into the US army and fight in the Vietnam
War.
In Michael Mann's movie Ali, the story of the greatest
is told and while I can't say it is 100% accurate, it has
enough of the bad side of Ali - his womanising for one - to
have the air of truth.
In Ali, actor/rapper Will Smith is transformed into
my teen hero to such a level that he was nominated for an
Academy Award. He looks similar, went through 2.5 years of
boxing training to build up his body and has Ali's voice and
mannerisms down pat.
Smith's Ali is a guy who believes in himself, his race and
his religion and won't be told what to do if it is against
his personal morals.
His fight with the US Government over not wanting to fight
the Vietnamese was an action that stunned the world - and
made him many enemies - but later proved to be the type of
passive resistance that a massive number of Americans chose
to take.
It did, however, badly damage his career - and almost meant
five years in jail - but Ali was big enough to get through
the troubled times and come back bigger than ever.
Ali is a long movie, but is a must-see.
Not only for the chance to follow the man's legendary, or
Smith's performance, but for the gobsmacking transformation
of Jon Voight into the broadcaster Howard Cosell. I didn't
pick him - not having looked at the cast list - until the
credits at the end and I am still amazed. His portrayal is
astounding!
The transfer - both images and sound - is excellent and some
of the fight scenes - using real boxers against Smith - are
sensational.
For those of you who have only seen Ali as a shaky, Parkinson's
Disease affected old man then this will open your eyes to
a physically and morally brave athlete who refused to cower
to injustice and political bullying.
For those of us who saw him it will bring back powerful memories.
Conclusion: Movie 90%, Extras 80%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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