"Ali" could be a masterpiece if it was cut by 20 minutes

Rating: Null/10 (17 December 2001)

Upon attending the Canadian premiere of Ali I was struck by two conflicting elements, in coming to terms with this film.
I found myself alternately impressed by the earthy power of the film, and anxious with its excessive length. My needless concern was that Will Smith was just not enough actor to be Muhammed Ali. He was, and it was a charming surprise.
But there are scenes, important scenes, wonderful scenes, where directer Michael Mann drives a point so hard, that one has seizures from the excesses.
Ali could be one of the best films, ever, if about twenty minutes were pruned intelligently from it. The love scenes, the scene where Ali rides triumphantly into Zaire, and later, the scene where Ali runs through the streets in Zaire are interesting for only for about 1/4 of their duration.
Did Michael Mann feel that every second of film shot needs to be used in the final cut? Go see Ali, for you may catch the taunt story inside this overweight epic.