Cert: 15 cert
Director : Michael Mann
Writers : Gregory Allen Howard (story), Stephen J. Rivele (Screen play), Christopher (screenplay), Wilkinson (screenplay), Eric Roth (screenplay) Michael Mann (screenplay)
Starring : Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver, Jeffrey Wright, Mykelti Williamson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Nona Gaye, Michael Michele, Barry Shabaka Henley, many more.
Running time: 157 min
Parents advised to read before viewing film as some scene may contain scenes unsuitable for younger viewers.
Sex & Nudity: Men and women kiss passionately, an implied sex scene.
Violence & Gore:Numerous boxing fights throughout the film, a man is assassinated; he is shot with a shotgun several times until he dies; with bloody detail. Televised war images are briefly seen.
Profanity: At least five F words, and a dozen other mild profanities.
Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: Several acts of alcoholism, people are seen smoking, people drinking in nightclubs.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: Rated R for: Adult Content, Adult Language, Violence.(HBO advisory)
Story: 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 Americans 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 favor 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.
Likes : I really don't follow boxing at all but from watching this film i understood the man Mohammad Ali was, he's really had a tough time in life to be recognized but the way he was standing up to human right is what made him not only the greatest world champion boxer it made him a good man standing up to corrupted government trying to bring him down because of his colour fair play to him.
I think Will Smith played him brilliantly down to every trait & character that ali was inside & out of the ring, with a some what powerful, emotional & gritty way. The boxing scene's aren't quiet like the rocky film's but surprisingly real non the less which give this film it's realism & realistic feel I was glad to see a close to perfect adaptation of Ali's fights.
The only downside of the movie was to focus a little longer on effect's of Africa on him which will smith shod brilliantly on screen. But the "Loud mouth" Champs witty and "punchy" remark's in his real life along, with his big blows inside the ring is what keep you watching as it gets funny at times.
Smith had to go through heavy amounts of boxing and weight training, to feel like a boxer, and then also look at Ali as a youngster from footage, and then become him. That he did, in only the way that Will Smith can. He was so good that the academy saw the role to be worthy of an academy award nomination. It was a shame that he did not win it because this performance was brilliant.
I found Jon Voight's role as the outlandish sports commentator, Howard Cosell, to be brilliant, although to look at him you cant really tell its Jon voight with the makeup but you can tell from the voice, the way he played this role with a bit of stiffness as a commentator would be back then on air was brilliant done.
The power & emotional side clearly came from the Africa scenes but also after refusing to join the army & being threaten with jail this man showed absolute courage & strength in the face of corruption & power as every government official try to stop Ali fighting in the ring, this is why Ali will always be one of the greatest boxers in the world inside & out.This is a film i recommend watching if your in to boxing films or bio film's.
Dislikes : Can be a little slow in places though the pace could of be a little faster, i think the boxing scene could of been a bit more than just a few scenes.
Overall : Will Smith's hard-work, Mann's adaptation and Mohammad Ali's legendary life makes 'Ali' a must watch for movie goers
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 for entertainment / 8.2 out of 10 for story-line / Ali adaptation by will smith
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