User reviews

The first thing that I am prepared to acknowledge is Will Smith's performance in this film; he was impressive and seemed to really get into the character of Ali. Although his acting was excellent in this film, I don't believe that he should have been Oscar nominated. Likewise, Foxx and several of the supporting characters were also excellent. The film was also well-shot and generally well-made and from a technical aspect it was a fairly polished product. Unfortunately, that's where the praise for this film ends....

For me there was far too much time spent on dull aspects of Ali's life such as Ali's various relationships - this aspect of his life got way too much focus and it did, at times, make the film feel like an over-long combination of melodrama and soap opera. At the same time, other potentially more interesting or important areas seemed to either have been ignored or glossed over - there's very little focus on Ali's training, no real mention of his family. Considering the film is over 2 and a half hours long I expected there to be a reasonable amount of boxing and/or training, but we're probably treated to about 30 minutes of boxing (if that) and then 2 hours of melodrama and soap opera. I'm sure a lot of what I describe as 'melodrama' and 'soap opera' type events did occur in Ali's life, but these elements don't make for an entertaining film and should have been kept to a minimum.

All of the above isn't helped by the fact that the screenplay felt like it was put together in a haphazard way - the writers would shift from one aspect of Ali's life to another in quick succession barely giving you chance to digest what you've just seen.

Although from a technical perspective this film was generally well put together and polished I did feel that the camera work during the boxing matches was pretty poor and as a result I didn't feel quite as involved in the action as I did when I've watched other boxing films. This came as a really big disappointment when you consider how poor many other elements of the film were.

Aside from the great performances, there really isn't much else going for this film. My feeling are that it was an over-long soap opera with a bit of boxing thrown in here and there. If you want to see a good boxing biopic then I would recommend Cinderella Man. Muhammad Ali may be the Greatest, but this film certainly isn't.

All the incredible acting was undone by sloppy-to-non-existent editing. I had to open the Wikipedia entry on Muhammad Ali to figure out who was who, where they were, and why people were saying what they were saying.

Will Smith's and John Voight's excellent performances were wasted. The movie would have been greatly aided by displaying the names of towns and characters. It seemed like every time a new character was shown on screen, they were never introduced by exposition.

The movie jumped around locations a lot, and the dialogue was confusing at times, unless you already knew the life story of Ali.

Michael Mann can do better, but he seemed more interested in crafting the individual scenes instead of focusing on a coherent narrative. Thus, the movie was long, boring, and confusing.

It was heartbreaking, I wanted to like this movie, but the editing ruined it.

As always the problem of getting someone to play Muhammed Ali is that they don`t have the charisma to play the great man , hell not even Ali could play himself convincingly in THE GREATEST so I didn`t think Will Smith star of weak Summer blockbusters like WILD WILD WEST or the MIB films was going to be much cop in the title role

I do think Michael Mann is a good director and is rather underrated due to the fact he started out in television . Mann does bring realism to the fight scenes in ALI , they`re maybe not as good as the ones in RAGING BULL but they still pack a punch ( Sorry couldn`t resist that one ) , compare the ring scenes here to the laughably bad ones seen in the ROCKY movies and you`ll notice a big difference . My only criticism of Mann in this film is that a few of the scenes outside the ring lack narritive drive with one of the characters saying something to another character and having the camer a linger too long on the characters moody look , but this is a minor flaw

The serious flaw is something everyone else has pointed out and is something that I quickly noticed while watching ALI - The script is too overlong . I hadn`t read the readers comments untill I sat down to write this review so my views weren`t prejudiced but most of the reviewers are spot on , fight scenes feature as do politics , religion , Malcolm X , government spooks and Ali`s marital life and I can`t help thinking the whole film would have worked better if it had just focussed on Ali`s boxing career . As it is ALI isn`t a film I`d watch over and over again like RAGING BULL

It does have a positive point in its favour - The cast . If I hadn`t known what part Jon Voight was playing I`d have sat through the film wondering when he was going to turn up because he`s totally unrecognisable but he`s very good in his role . Ron Silver is almost unrecognisable but good as is Mario Van Peebles , but best of all is Will Smith as Muhammed Ali . Okay I could nit pick but that would be unkind and pedantic so all I`ll say is Smith deserved his Oscar nod

I can't stand when movies take such iconic figures and make them into the kind of people that you don't want to see a movie about. Director Michael Mann takes this individual and strips his life of heart and soul, making him so lacking in character that he's impossible to care for.

Muhammad Ali is defined by his ego in this movie, not by his personality or any of the people in his life. Mann's direction makes the film surprisingly distant, slow, poorly edited and devoid of glory. Will Smith has got the talent, it's all there, no question, but there is not much of a character for him to play. The same can be said about the rest of the cast; an ensemble of talented people filling the shoes of such boring underwritten characters.

I don't feel like I learned a thing about Muhammed Ali from this motion picture. I'm not impressed.

It is hard to make a film like this good. I have really looking forward to watching this film since I have been very interesting in boxing history and I am also finding Muhammad Ali as a great person. He truly changed the world. This film is not bad but not good either. First when I heard that Will Smith should be in it I was a bit suprised, a comedian that stars in films like Bad Boys and Men in Black. Actually he was the main problem with this film. He was not powerful at all. I did not get touched of his acting and he made the film lost the feeling to watch it.

It is very hard to make films like this and I think that if you don't know anything about this story you would like it. Ali's story is fashinating and I recommend you to watch "When We were kings" a documentary about the match against George Foreman in Zaire. 5/10

Every second I spent on this movie was like a minute. Believe me, this movie is horrible. It sucks, it sucks it sucks. Don't waste your time over this movie. You would feel better off doing some other thing Don't watch it!!!!It's a waste of money

5.7/10 (Don't Recommend)

A couple weeks ago I finished reading the book "Ali: A Life" by Jonathan Eig and it was such a good book that I felt informed about Muhammad Ali's life. While the book was amazing, the movie is just mediocre, and I expected that going in. However, I was more disappointed than I would've liked because it felt emotionless, drawn out, and depending on a name to be a great film rather being one.

Will Smith doesn't really feel like an Ali to me. He did an alright job for what the script gave him to work with, but he wasn't anything special. As for the characters, unless you had an idea of who was who, it's hard to care about any of them or what impacts they had on the Champ in real life. It never feels personal with the coach, the friends, the lovers, the reporters, or the promoter. Everyone felt like a face that washed through emotionless.

The parts that were selected did have important parts to tell, but the way the story is told is mediocre. It's altogether rushed and bland. The feeling that the film gives off is "you should already know the story, and now we're going to give you the visuals to that story".

Overall, this felt like a long, drawn out, wasted two hour film that doesn't do the Champ any justice. He was the greatest of all time who went through a lot of issues and this film doesn't even hit the surface. Sure the sound is great with every punch thrown and getting you into the action, but in the end it doesn't tell you who Ali was, or how he ended up the way he did. Like I said, it was a good time period to choose from, but poorly executed. I'd rather take another two months to read his biography than to ever watch this film again.

That's it for now. Thanks for taking time to read my review. Happy watching and enjoy the show!

Muhammad Ali was certainly a charismatic man and probably the greatest heavyweight boxer. I loved Ali as I loved Pele and Jesse Owens. Together with black American musicians this generation crossed the divide. When I was young I knew very little about the Nation of Islam, or Vietnam. We just knew that Ali beat Henry Cooper and seemed invincible and good humoured. Looking back now we can certainly admire him for his political resistance and we can understand more about the significant influence of Malcolm X given the awful racism.

This film concentrates on the years from his victory over Sonny Liston to the Rumble in the Jungle and the fight against Foreman. His best years as a boxer were stolen from him due to a boxing ban for evading the draft.

I'm not sure that this film does little more than scrape the surface. Despite some physical resemblance, Will Smith isn't really able to step into his shoes. He doesn't have the presence or the power of Ali. Could anyone? It's an impossible ask.

I didn't really learn much about Ali the man. Why he rejected Malcom X in favour of Elijah Mohammed and the Nation of Islam. This portrayal is of a flawed man. Committed to Islam but a sucker for a pretty face. It is technically difficult to play both the young Cassius Clay and the heavier veteran without doing a De Niro Raging Bull and piling on the pounds.

It watchable. It's a great reminder of the times. But it didn't capture the man I remember.

Nope, Will Smith can't play Ali. Nice try though. He almost had it at the Press conference scene. But, the exagerrated scenes ill-behoove the Ali legend. If you want to see the true Ali, watch WHEN WE WERE KINGS. Best Boxing Documentary of this century.

Ali was TOO LONG. I found myself looking at the time, wondering when it would be over. I was waiting for the plot to get me somewhat excited to focused. Unfortunately I never sat up during the whole movie. Will Smith had a decent acting appearance and shouldn't be too proud about the movie, since it was a once and a lifetime opportunity to depict the greatest boxer of all time, and it didn't clome close to the potential. Maybe this is a lesson that these "true story" flicks have run there course, and can only be successful if you truly have a good script and cast. Rating: 3

Ok, this movie is not altogether bad.. but do yourself a favor and go rent "When we were Kings" . Much better in every single respect. Perhaps you shouldn't compare apples & oranges (one being a work of fiction based on reality and the other a documentary), but on cinematic experience, side by side, WWWK is just no match for "Ali"

despite Will Smith's brilliant performance, this movie was a huge disapointment. I found it slow and boring and instead of being sad when it was over like I am with most movies, I was just relieved. In fact, I was constantly checking the clock while it was playing: only one more hour...only 45 more minutes. I do not reccomend this movie to anyone.

The best thing about the movie was the performance by Will Smith as Ali, and Jon Voight did a wonderful job of playing Howard Cosell. I thought the film tended to drag, especially in the first part, it focused too much on Malcolm X. The last half of the film seemed to flow better, and was much more entertaining.

Ali was one of the worst films of the year last year. I was surprised to see that it was nominated for 2 oscars. Sure, Will Smith's performance was absolutely stunning. I believe he did a tremendous job in playing Ali. However, I believe that the screenplay was awful. It showed me stuff that I already knew about Ali and exaggerated it over and over and over again. The final scene in which Ali fights George Foreman makes you want to fall asleep. It takes so damn long and looks so damn boring. There was no dialogue during that scene. There were many other sequences that seemed very boring. All except the sex scene between Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. That was probably the best part of the movie. Now, don't get me wrong, if you don't know anything about Ali, it is absolutely phenomenal. However, if you know something, don't see it. Michael Mann directs Ali as if it were for dummies. Seriously, do not see this film because you will waist 3 hours out of your life. (which is how long the film is)

The trailers were great, but the movie lacked any luster. Will Smith is believable as Ali, but the film had little substance. There are numerous scenes where the camera just stares at Ali or he stares as events unfold around him. Too much contemplation. You see him rise and fall, but the movie closes too early in his life. It does, however, provide a good feel for his beliefs, convictions and personality. I rated it a 5 out of 10.

This is far and away one of the biggest disappointments of 2001. Smith was well cast, but he's in the wrong movie. Mann (who I'm a fan of) had no idea what he was doing, treating this film as if it were "The Insider." None of the relationships on screen displayed any chemistry. This was not a very tight film. Granted a biopic is supposed to show all important events in a person's life, but this was all over the place and lacked consistency. If you want to see a good biopic this year, go see "A Beautiful Mind." All though that film takes liberties, it is far superior to "Ali." The Rumble in the Jungle sequence is inferior to the masterful documentary "When we were Kings." Again, Mann fumbles around for 45 minutes in what is ultimately an exercise in futility. Here's what Ali, himself, is probably thinking while watching this film- 'Pay no mind, Mann's got this film in a bind.' 'If you want to see a good film with me in the ring, go rent When we were Kings.' 'A lot of people consider me a hero, but the number of Oscars "Ali" will win is zero.

Who was Ali? You would never know after watching this movie, for you will gain no insight of the man who is one of the greatest figures of the 20th century. Ali's life deserved an examination on film, such as Spike Lee's "Malcolm X". This movie is a big disappointment. Especially since it was directed by one of my favorites, Michael Mann.

Mr. Mann's direction and Mr. Smith's performance have one thing in common...they lack passion. Will Smith goes through the movie doing a one-note impersonation of Ali. His mannerisms and expressions are the same whether he finds out he's been banned from boxing; been banned from practicing his religion; or won his Supreme Court case. The only strain on Mr. Smith's acting skills were when he learns of the death of Malcolm X and when he stares at a mural on a wall in Africa. Even in these scenes, it's as if Mr. Mann had to keep the camera on Mr. Smith long enough to get a tear rolling. Mr. Mann also gives no insight to the men around Ali, or his women.

Finally, the casting of Mario Van Peebles as Malcolm X and Giancarlo Esposito as Ali's father were serious errors in judgement. It's as if Mr. Mann handed Mr. Van Peebles a pair of thick-rimmed glasses and a goatee and said "You are Malcolm X". Mr. Esposito looks about a year or two older than Will Smith and he is supposed to be playing his father. I'm sure with all the great black actors in Hollywood today, Mr. Mann could have done better in the casting department.

This movie is even more of a disappointment when you realize that this is it: There will probably never be another attempt to capture Ali's life on film. Hollywood had it's chance and it blew it. Big time.

This movie is very confusing and very slow in the beginning and middle. It picks up a little towards the end, but it is not enough to save the movie. Their tagline is to forget everything you thought you knew. Well, I knew virtually nothing and I still feel that way. Characters were just popping up and I had no clue who or what they were for the first half of the movie. Will Smith was good (not award winning).

This was an ordinary film about an extraordinary individual. It's a good effort, but falls short in virtually every area. Will Smith has a decent stab at Ali, getting the voice just about spot on. He's worked out but is still about 30 pounds shy. But you never BELIEVE this is Ali you're watching. It's always Will Smith and I found myself expecting Carlton Banks to run on and do a little dance.

The fight sequences are beutifuly shot and almost faithfully recreated. But the film just seems to cover a decade without filling any gaps. Ali beats Liston, suddenly he's married with kids, refusing army induction, losing to Frazier, beating Foreman and hang on - it's ten years on and he looks no different. To anyone who doesn't know about Ali it's as if all this happened in six months!

If you want to know about the real Ali - read the books, watch the real interviews, and watch the fights. Now, that's entertainment!

I'm a big Michael Mann fan, had anyone else directed this not even sure I would have gone to see it. But, I don't think he succeeded with this one. Maybe Ali is just to familiar to me, but I kept seeing Will Smith playing Ali, not Ali himself. I also thought he looked a bit small, did not have the more physically imposing presence that Ali had.

Regarding the story, the final fight with Foreman was dealt with in a much better manner in the documentary "When We Were Kings", so I found that segment already familiar and disappointing. The movie never really gave me a sense of why he became such a popular figure, his rise to world wide fame is something the movie did not attempt to deal with. Also an odd flow to the movie, little narrative, I didn't even know what city Ali lived in until he was introduced as the Louisville slugger, the end of his first marriage dealt with in a minute or so, and his appeal to his jail sentence dealt with only peripherally, no sense of how long that went on or how he ultimately won an 8-0 victory in the Supreme Court (as an aside, there are 9 justices, wonder what happened to number 9).

Seeing "Ali" is like going to the opera: you need to familiarize yourself with the story before you go. Brush up on not only Ali's career stats, but on his personal info as well. If you don't, you'll probably be confused through much of the movie, like I was. The movie tends to spend a lot of time on one scene, then leaps ahead several months or even years with no explanation. Ali gets new wives and has kids, but the movie doesn't even stop long enough to let you know that he had gotten divorced from the previous wife. My dad, however, who is obsessed with Ali and is quite familiar with his life story, really enjoyed the movie. It is an entertaining and nicely done movie, but if you don't already know what's going to happen, the confusion and frustration is very distracting.

I recall all the phases of Ali's career. This good movie does not come close to recreating the excitment of this man's achievements. The actor's delivery is wooden and lacks the sparkle of Ali's tirades. To those who are too young to have followed his career, believe me, Ali is a much much more powerful figure than what appears in this film. For one thing, his characteristic mischievousness is not evident in the film. Just looking at Ali made you feel good and happy (except if you were in the ring with him, I'm sure!)

I found that Ali's opponents were incredibly well casted. Howard Cosell is brilliantly interpreted.

And I also found that the fight scenes were extremely well done. No phony Rocky slug fest here.

Very enjoyable movie.

But Ali, you are the greatest, and nobody can do you. Ever.