Important Film-Making and the Most Underrated Film of 2001.

Rating: Null/10 (15 April 2002)

"Ali" is the much-awaited film dealing with American icon Muhammad Ali (Oscar-nominee Will Smith in the performance of a lifetime). The film follows Ali from 1964, when he defeated Sonny Liston (Michael Bentt) for the heavyweight crown, to the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974 when he reclaimed the title from George Foreman (Charles Shufford). Between the time however, Ali went through a decade of chaos as the nation did the same. He changed his name from Cassius Clay and adopted Muhammad Ali and made his devotion to the Nation of Islam public. Many looked at Ali as a threat while others thought he was a refreshing change, a man with the flair and personality of all four members of "The Beatles". Ali's religious beliefs would cause trouble however for himself as he would turn his back on Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles) and refuse to go to Vietnam and become known as a draft-dodger to many. Through it all Ali would be himself and not compromise his beliefs or moral makeup. His relationships with Howard Cossell (Jon Voight in a well-deserved Oscar-nominated turn) and his trainers Drew Brown (Jamie Foxx), Angelo Dundee (Ron Silver) and Ferdie Pacheco (Paul Rodriguez) would prove to be lasting friendships that would help Ali make his comeback against Foreman in 1974. Nemesis and friend Joe Frazier (James Toney) also proved to be an important figure in getting Ali back in the ring. The film also shows Ali as a womanizer. His relationships with Sonji Clay (Smith's real-life wife Jada Pinkett-Smith), Belinda Ali (Nona Gaye) and Veronica Porche (Michael Michele) are all given amounts of screen-time. As the "Rumble in the Jungle" approaches we also get a glimpse of Ali with a young Don King (Mykelti Williamson in yet another stunning transformation). "Ali" is an honest film that tells a story and does not pull any punches. The film does not show Ali as a superhero or as a larger-than-life figure. It shows him as a man, a man with thoughts, beliefs, feelings, intelligence, short-comings, likes, dislikes and a man full of personality. The real Muhammad Ali appeared on Oprah Winfrey shortly before the film opened to the public and stated that he wanted the film to explain to people who he really is. That is the reason I give this film a perfect score. It serves its purpose to the paramount. It is well-made by Michael Mann and its attention to small details are uncanny. "Ali" is what the cinema is meant to be. 5 stars out of 5.