A Film Review By Paul Perkins
Cast: Will
Smith, Giancarlo Esposito, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett
Smith, Jon Voight
Director: Michael
Mann
Producers: James
Lassiter, Jon Peters, A Kitman Ho, Michael Mann, Paul
Ardaji
Screenplay: Eric
Roth, Gregory Allen Howard, Michael Mann
Rated: R for some language
and brief violence.
Running Time:
185 Mins
Studio: Sony
Release Date:
10-25-01
DVD/Video Date:
Seen At:
U.A Main Street, Philadelphia 12-20-01
Movie Info: Click Here
Hands Down The Best Film Of The Year
What defines a true champion? Is it someone who won a
sporting event, or someone that over came all odds, or is it someone who
everyone respect and loves. That no matter what happens he or she will do
anything he or she wants. The one person that comes to mind is Muhammad Ali.
The film is name Ali and it stars Will Smith as the
greatest sport hero of all time Muhammad Ali. The story center on 10 years of
his life, when he was going for his first title shot. Through all his troubles
with the U.S Government also when they strip him of the title. Up until when he
fought the U.S Government for his right to box.
When he had the legendary fight in a Africa called The
Thriller in Manilla. As well as we witness the execution of Malcolm X and Dr
Martin Luther King Jr. What ever you think you know about the champ forget what
you think you know you will learn something new.
Well the 2001 movie season is coming to a close and with
this film Hollywood has ended it right. This film is remarkable this is what
great filmmaking is all about. This is the best film of the year hands down.
The story was great Michael Mann did a outstanding job of
telling the story of Ali. From the opening screen to the final scene it
grips you can through you into the story and doesn’t let you go. Granted we
have seen a lot of Bio film about Ali but I can say this is one of the best
because it centers on 10 years of his life. It doesn’t tell when he was
growing up it start when he is boxing which I though it was a good spot to start
at.
And let me tell you about the matches when the fight scene come son you feel like you are right there in the action. The photography was outstanding how the camera goes up close under the fighters’ glove, which I though was very cool. There is a scene where Ali hits a boxer and his muscle does a wave like movie it was very cool how they did it.
The cast were outstanding everyone in the film were
great. The man character Ali Will Smith played the part perfectly. If you were
next to Smith and the real Ali you would think they are the same person. Will
have every trademark down perfect he was the best choice and he should get a
Oscar or this role. The next one who deserved a Oscar is Jon Voight who was a
perfect Howard Cosell. The way he look and the way he talk and interact with Ali
was outstanding.
The rest of
the supporting casts were outstanding as well. Jamie Fox was a good choice fore
his role and Mario Van Peebles was very good as Malcolm X who I though as first
he could not play this part good but I was wrong he was good at it.
The location and setting were outstanding how they made the
town look and how the people reacted to Ali. The film has some funny scenes with
Ali and Howard who was great and they did not drag out the jokes. The film was
just about 2 and half hour. But to be honest it did not feel that long. The film
was not boring and did not drag at all. This film will keep you wanting to see
more Esp. from Will Smith the way he acted and movie like the champ was
outstanding.
For the entire boxing fans out there you will like this film a lot because of the way the story is told. For non-boxing fans like me it doesn’t matter if you like boxing you will still like the story and you will like this film. This is a film I would pay anything to watch it. That is tell you something Esp. when I see all my films for free. If you are looking for a true 5 star film with a great cast, story and drama mix with a little comedy and what to get your moneywort this is the film for you.
Because this film you make you float like a butterfly and it will sting you like a bee.
© 2001 Paul Perkins