Ali

Review by Clint Morris

Packing far less punch that it's titular character, Michael Mann's Ali is one glove ambition, the other glove entertainment. Unfortunately, one of the gloves in on way too tight, and all characteristic elements of the Muhammad Ali legacy are left in the locker room, only to be replaced by some more pedestrian moments in the heavyweight's bio.

In the left corner is box office champ Wil Smith, in the right corner is esteemed film Director Michael Mann. In the middle of the ring is a pile of moments in the early life of young Casius Clay; a lightweight pile for a movie that should have been on the heavier side.

Probably better suited to one of the umpteenth telemovies based on his life then a two hour movie, this Ali tale tackles the man's political disagreements, friendship with key and imperative figures and reign of supremacy, rather than focusing on the man's finer moments.

The movie opens in February 1964, as Cassius Clay trains to K.O. Sonny Liston in a title weight fight. From there, Cassius dances with the Black Muslim faith, in turn getting himself the name 'Muhammad Ali' and inexorably, a friend in rights activist, Malcom X (an impressive Mario Van Peebles).

Neglecting some key moments in the man's life, like the alleged best fight ever 'Thrilla In Manilla', and Ali infamously throwing his Olympic Gold Medal into the Ohio River, Mann's film, although entertaining, only skims the top of the Ali Legacy.

Many of the film's characters are indistinguishable from one to the next. For those with a pad and pen in the theatre, you'll mark trainer Angelo Dundee (Ron Silver), photographer Howard Bingham (Jeffrey Wright), and Jada Pinkett Smith as the first of Ali's three wives. Thankfully the scissors weren't taken to any of Wil Smith's moments as the Champ, as this is Smith's best performance to date. He has totally immersed himself into the character. The voice, the body, the body language, the attitude… Wil Smith is Muhammad Ali, and having said that, consider that he is the film's saving grace.

Although it could have used an extra hour to explain some more pivotal moments in the man's life and give us a sweet ringside view of some of those infamous fights rather than something resembling a Rocky sequel, Ali is still an interesting history lesson - just one in paperback form, rather than hardcover.

3 out of 5

Ali
Australian release: Commences Thursday 21st February across Australia
Cast: Wil Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver, Jeffrey Wright, Mykelti Williamson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Joe Morton, Giancarlo Esposito.
Director: Michael Mann.
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