Boxing when it was still a legitimate sport

Rating: 7/10 (14 June 2002)

While many have put this film down for not being realistic enough, I say, who cares! Michael Mann created a well shot and conceptualized film, especially considering he had a one-sided actor in Will Smith in his lead (who I thought did a respectable job portraying a difficult role). The film overall was excellent, portraying some of the inner insights of a man who most of us had only seen on TV or in the occasional documentary. What really fryed my kettle was the plethora of sports writers (most who were kids during Ali's prime) acting like this wasn't a true representation of one of the most influential people in sports history. What the heck do they know! As a sports writer myself, I know for a fact most sports writers have no idea about what makes a good film. However, I will say this, it is rather interesting to watch a film at four in the morning on Christmas Eve.