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Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver ... see more see more... , Jeffrey Wright , Mykelti Williamson , Nona Gaye , Michael Michele , Joe Morton , Paul Rodriguez , Bruce McGill , Barry Shabaka Henley , Giancarlo Esposito , Lawrence Mason , LeVar Burton , Albert Hall , David Cubitt , Ted Levine , Candy Ann Brown , David Elliott , Shari Watson , Malick Bowens , Michael Bentt , James N. Toney , Alfred Cole , Charles Shufford , Victoria Dillard , Brad Greenquist , David Haines , Doug Hale , Jada Pinkett Smith , Kim Robillard , Gailard Sartain , William Utay , David Hess , John Ortiz , Maestro Harrell , Wade Andrew Williams , Millard Arnold , Jean Bikoi , Edda Collier , Vincent Cook , Lee Cummings , Rufus Dorsey , Themba Gasa , Marc Grapey , Andrew P. Jones , Cimanga Kalambay , Nathaniel Malekane , Marc Kulazite Mboli , Henrikennyo Mukenyi , Mark Mulder , Zaa Nkweta , David Prudham , Robert Sale , LaDonna Tittle , Maya Van Peebles , Morgana Van Peebles , Guy Van Swearingen , Damien "Bolo" Wills , Wei Yi Lu , Brandon T. Jackson , James Gilbert , Nona M. Gaye , Mykel T. Williamson

Notoriously obsessive director Michael Mann and star Will Smith devoted nearly two years and over 100 million dollars from the coffers of Columbia Pictures and other financiers to creating this biogra... read more read more...phy of boxing great Muhammad Ali, which focuses on the ten-year period of 1964-1974. In that time, the brash, motor-mouthed athlete quickly dominates his sport, meets and marries his first wife (Jada Pinkett-Smith), converts to Islam (changing his name from Cassius Clay), and defies the United States government by refusing to submit to military conscription for duty in Vietnam. His world heavyweight champion title thus stripped from him entirely for political reasons, the champ sets about to win back his crown, culminating in a legendary unification bout against George Foreman (Charles Shufford) in Zaire, dubbed the "Rumble in the Jungle." In his travels, Ali becomes a symbol of power to disenfranchised African-Americans everywhere and meets such luminaries as Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles), Martin Luther King Jr. (LeVar Burton) and Maya Angelou (Martha Edgerton). Ali features an all-star supporting cast that includes Jon Voight, Giancarlo Esposito, Jamie Foxx, Nona Gaye, Michael Michele, Joe Morton, Paul Rodriguez, Ron Silver, Mykelti Williamson, and Jeffrey Wright. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

65% liked it

102,588 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

149 critics

R, 2 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Michael Mann

Release Date: December 25, 2001

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DVD Release Date: April 30, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (2,969)

  • garyX
    February 28, 2012
    garyX
    This biopic concentrates on the period between Muhammad Ali gaining the heavyweight championship of the world as Cassius Clay, through to when regained it at the "Rumble In The Jungle" ten years later. Will Smith (minus the face fuzz) was the obvious and perfect casting choice fo... read morer a charming, charismatic motor-mouth and he is completely believable as the legendary fighter, but he is also surrounded by a supporting cast who are all knockout themselves; particularly an unrecognisable Jon Voigt as the sportscaster and long time friend Howard Cosell, Jamie Foxx as his junkie sidekick and even Mario Van Peebles proves he can actually act given the right material as Malcolm X. I would have liked to have seen more of the political climate during these years of the civil rights movement but Mann's visuals are as stylish as always and he finds a nice balance between the man's sporting and personal lives. Ali may not be perfect (those with no interest in boxing will no doubt be left cold) but it is a fitting testament to a sporting icon who was not only incredibly gifted, but also a true role model and ambassador for his sport.
  • fb729949618
    September 30, 2011
    fb729949618
    Smith has a tough role to tackle with Ali, but he does a tremendous job with it. Solid.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    July 17, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    The Champ is here!

    Good movie and terrific acting by Will Smith as Muhammad Ali, he really deserved his 2002 nomination for best actor oscar. They story to me was very different and religious and tedious and wasn't that interesting as I would have like it to be but it was decent... read more enough. The supporting cast wasn't so supportive I think that was key for this movie's road to greatness. I love sport films including boxing one's but this one didn't really capture my full attention and love. Boxing fights were pretty good I gotta admit.

    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 favour 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.
  • cosmo313
    March 13, 2011
    cosmo313
    Michael Mann is a talented filmmaker I really like, but his last few films that I've watched have been a little perplexing. They have good intentions, and are competently made, but they feel very much in their own little world. It's hard to really get into what he's doing in term... read mores of the point or goal he has with these films.

    That's especially true here. This is a decent film, and I like it (hence the marginal recommendation), but he tries to do a whole lot, yet nothing ever really feels completely fleshed out. That's a bit of an issue with a 155 minute running time. Many of the plot points here cpould have been told in their own single film. What this film basically amounts to is a vivid yet aloof biographical sketch of an important American figure during an important time in his life, during the history of the country.

    The first third of the film may be really boring and tedious for many to get through, especially if they have little to no prior knowledge of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X or the dynamics of the social issues of the time. Also, I didn't think it was wholly necessary to reenact the assassination of Malcom X (well done though it was) when it was already done by Spike Lee over a decade earlier.

    The movie gives insights into Ali's life, but in the end, many questions still remain. It's an interesting portrait, and Ithe cast is great (and give some strong performances), but I think that ,as is, this film doesn't do the justice to the story that it could or should have. For instance, I would have liked to have known more about the relationship between Ali and his white trainer, especially when Ali was at his most militant. Also, it would have been nice had dates been given so the audience would have a better idea of when some of these events took place.

    This might be Mann's weakest film (that I've seen), but it is still entertaining despite the flaws. It is well shot, the fights (and other sequences) are done well, and Smith is the best possible pick for the lead. Maybe if there was a commentary track some insight could be given, and some confusion could be cleared up.
  • crunchbunch
    January 20, 2011
    crunchbunch
    'Ali' is an interesting film about the early career of "Cassius Clay" who of course would eventually become 'Mohammed Ali'.

    Unfortunately this film is more of a documentary than a blockbuster. While the fights themselves are well filmed and exciting, they are not and could not ... read morebe as live up to the actual real life events and herein lies this films downfall. Will Smith does his best to play Mohammed Ali but its difficult to add anything to a character that was so outspoken and animated anyway, let alone the fact that he is probably more well known than Will Smith. The finale to this film is the Rumble in the Jungle, a fight between the then World Champion George Foreman and the underdog, an aging Ali. This fight attempts to build suspence for a shock finale but anyone who knows boxing (and lets face it, if you are watching a boxing film you probably do) alraedy knows the outcome.

    Well filmed with good acting but ultimately this film was too long, too slow and could never surpass the events of real life for entertainment value.

    "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee His hands can't hit what his eyes can't see. "
  • rezpatriot
    December 24, 2009
    rezpatriot
    This is a great blockbuster. There are some great acting moments but none from Will Smith. Will Smith can't box, but after some heavy music and the ongoing Ali saga you really begin to feel for Will Smith and accept what the film is about. Will Smith brings the wit Ali spoke to a... read morenother level. Its worth watching.
  • deano
    November 26, 2009
    deano
    Amazing biographic of famous African-American boxer Muhommad Ali and his political martyrdom and compulsive womanising; most of the major events of his life are given the epic widescreen treatment, as is his controversial and much glossed over conversion to Islam. Will Smith was ... read morethe best chosen and made excellent performance as heavyweight boxing champion in his boxing scenes.
  • SirPant
    October 2, 2009
    SirPant
    A vague insight into the life and career of Muhammad Ali. I say vague because after 2 and a half hours, there is only about 45 minutes worth of storytelling, the rest of the film is all shaky camera background shots which add nothing to the story. It?s funny really, I've always l... read moreiked Ali but after seeing this film, I can't help but feel that, as likable and funny as he is, he's just a bit of an unintelligent arse. Not bad but doesn't live up to the hype, although Smith does do a great job!
  • stormyweather980
    September 14, 2009
    stormyweather980
    I was never alive back when Muhammad Ali was king of the world in the boxing arenas, but I've watched a good number of his fights on a great channel called Classic Sports Network. I was always impressed with his skills as a fighter and his cheekiness and trash talking was usually... read more humorous. In other words, I'm a Muhammad Ali fan.
    I rented "Ali" after hearing all the praise that it's received from the start, even though I'm usually not a fan of biographical movies. During and after watching the movie, I had feelings that resided on both sides of the spectrum. The movie lasts about two and a half hours. During those two and a half hours, the movie is entertaining and it may even show you some things you didn't know about Muhammad Ali (I learned some new things). On top of all that, Will Smith does a really good job of portraying Muhammad Ali's old personality (harsh sense of humor, saying anything and everything he wants, etc.), while also fighting like the classic boxer (yep, you'll even see the famous shuffling of the feet).

    However, when the movie was over, it left me disappointed. One, it mainly just shows the things that Muhammad Ali went through during parts of his boxing career. What did Cassius Clay grow up doing? What were his parents and siblings like? How has he adjusted to life after getting Parkinson's disease? And the list could go on and on for several more lines. On top of that, it's not even comprehensive when it comes to his boxing career; it doesn't even mention many fights such as those against Larry Holmes.

    Pretty much, the movie ends all of a sudden and it will leave you asking many questions. It's a prime example of a film with a MAJOR cliffhanger involved. But like I said, it is a good movie and it's entertaining while it lasts. If you're a boxing or Muhammad Ali fan, I would recommend renting "Ali" before buying it. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2002. Easily Will Smith's worst movie, and does no justice to the all time great boxer.
  • 76Majikat
    April 4, 2008
    76Majikat
    A big and serious film for Will Smith, however I only ever saw Will Smith acting as Mohammed Ali, not at anytime did I feel that he had transformed into Ali, which so many actors have managed when acting in biopics. I can?t help feeling that this role may have suited a talented ... read morenewcomer more aptly. That being said, the film touched upon all the parts of Ali?s life in which you would expect of the film.
    At two and a half hours long, it is incredibly drawn out.

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Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer
January 22, 2002
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

Ali is a far more complex creature than this movie allows for. Full Review

Rex Reed
January 9, 2002
Rex Reed, New York Observer

It is well-intentioned, sketchy, sprawling and unremarkable. At two hours and 38 minutes, it is also long-winded and exhausting. Full Review

Charles Taylor
January 8, 2002
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

This could be the only movie we'll get on the fighter, and it's just not good enough. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 6, 2002
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

It's the boxer you enjoy, not the sluggish 15 rounds the filmmakers put him through.

Richard Roeper
January 3, 2002
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

It's good -- but Ali himself was the greatest. So a reluctant, kind of mild thumbs up for this. Full Review

James Berardinelli
December 28, 2001
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Even though the movie is too long and suffers from an inconsistent tone, the narrative is compelling, as are the performances. Full Review

Chris Vognar
December 27, 2001
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Loaded with bravura filmmaking flourishes, and exceptional performances. Full Review

Joel Siegel
December 27, 2001
Joel Siegel, ABCNEWS.COM

Will Smith's Muhammed Ali isn't an impersonation, it's a transformation. There is no narration to tell us the story, no treacly music cues to tell us when to cry. Some audiences might be disconcerted ...

Susan Stark
December 26, 2001
Susan Stark, Detroit News

Clearly a triumphant labor of love for its star, Will Smith. Credit director Mann, above all, for recognizing the performance for what it is: A knockout.

Bob Graham
December 26, 2001
Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle

If Michael Mann's new biopic of Muhammad Ali is not right up there with the gold standard of boxing biographies, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro's Raging Bull, it misses by only a whisker. Full Review

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