Who was Ali?

Rating: 5/10 (27 December 2001)

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.