well-cast but not very informative

Rating: Null/10 (12 February 2002)

Disappointing biography of the man who called himself the greatest boxer of all time Muhammad Ali. The film traces his early days as a young boxer on the rise who created controversy for his outspoken persona, as well as his personal tribulations ranging from his refusal to enter the draft in Vietnam, his alliance with the Nation of Islam, his relentless pursuit of the world heavyweight title, and his amusingly feigned, protagonist-antagonist relationship with announcer Howard Cosell (Voight). Has the best cast that money can buy, including Smith who gives it his all as Ali, but the direction is shaky and not particularly insightful about the film's central character. Some good fight scenes and strong performances, but unfortunately not much else. **½