FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Ali [DVD] [2002]

Ali [DVD] [2002]
enlarge	Director: Michael Mann Actors: Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles Studio: Entertainment in Video Category: DVD List Price: ~~£19.99~~ Buy Used: £0.97 as of 21/11/2009 13:52 GMT details You Save: £19.02 (95%) New (26) Used (45) Collectible (2) from £0.97 Seller: zoverstocks Rating: 22 reviews Sales Rank: 6308 Format: Anamorphic, Box set, PAL, Widescreen Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language) Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Discs: 2 Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1 Number Of Discs: 2 Running Time: 156 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5017239191596 ASIN: B00005RDQ6 Theatrical Release Date: December 25, 2001 Release Date: June 24, 2002 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review IAli/I is a substantial biopic that follows the career of Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali from 1964--when he took the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston--to 1974, when he took it back from George Foreman in Zaire. Along the way, the film looks at Ali's three marriages and his problematic involvement with the Nation of Islam, which inspires him to change his name, get rid of his first wife (Jada Pinkett Smith) and turn his back on old ally Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles).p For a fiercely independent person, Michael Mann's Ali has a knack of alienating those who genuinely love him, while chasing the approval of dubious father figures such as the Reverend Elijah Mohamed, Don King and President Mobutu. Although IAli/I is not a hagiography--Mann urging Will Smith to get into the many layers of Ali, from the mouthy public face to the quieter private person--the question of whether either of the Liston fights were fixed isn't even raised, and the fall of Ali's career is left out in favour of a climax that draws heavily from the documentary IWhen We Were Kings/I. Mann is as interested in the politics as he is in the sport (which leaves actors like Ron Silver as the coach short-changed), offering occasional cutaways to the government spies and plants in the black movements. More knockout blows are offered in the speeches than in the ring. --IKim Newman/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 22 1 2 3 4 5 Next » THE GREATEST November 12, 2005 Lee Hendricks (Ascot, Berkshire UK) 6 out of 6 found this review helpful In a cynical world where we seem to delight in finding fault with our political leaders and role models, Ali stands out as a truly legendary example of man against the system. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."pThis film shows that Ali was far from reasonable. He made exacting demands of himself, which on occasion he fails to meet. Will Smith portrays Ali the legend with dignity and sensitivity, giving us an insight to the man, his motives, loves and hates. In an Oscar winning role, Will Smith becomes Ali and exudes the trademark charisma, strength and power that Ali was so famous for. pThe film is touching showing our hero flaws and all: the difficult relationship with his father; the rise to early stardom; the fall from grace at the hands of the American Senate; and his remarkable come back to defeat the powerhouse George Foreman in the sensational Rumble in the Jungle.pThe film, unlike many Hollywood productions, makes no attempt to romanticise the life of the greatest heavyweight champion the world has ever seen. Will Smith portrays a womanising Ali who appears to struggle with his Muslim beliefs, and yet is mindful of the Nation of Islam#x27;s hypocrisy that comes across in the film. There is also a hint of things to come when Ali confronts Don King following another successful defence of his heavyweight title.pNeither a love of boxing, Will Smith, or Ali are prerequisites for owning this film. It is a touching, inspirational and entertaining film that strives to remain historically accurate, whilst condensing some of Ali#x27;s brightest moments into the available viewing time. Funny, thrilling and emotionally engaging, the film is a must buy and an essential addition to any DVD collection. Excellent July 9, 2006 Spider Monkey (UK) 11 out of 12 found this review helpful I don't think I've ever seen Will Smith act as good as this. He has the mannerisms and turn of phrase of Ali so spot on it's spooky. This film looks at Ali's rise to glory, his religious discovery and development and his relationships with his wife and lovers, contemporary journalists (which provide some of the best scenes in the film) and with other fighters and the public. This is a long film, but doesn't feel like it at all. This is one of those films I am able to watch again and again and i highly recommend it. something in his style: the right method ... July 30, 2005 FrizzText (Wuppertal) 7 out of 9 found this review helpful Watching this DVD I thought, why did Cassius Clay / Muhammad Ali refuse to emigrate to Canada or anywhere else (Monaco, Paris, London, Rome, Cairo, Beirut), starting his statements living there in luxury? Isn't it neurotic to stay in the USA and allow the US white establishment to ruin my own sources (financially and mentally)? In the heart of all considerations is Ali's refusal to be drafted into the Army. His favorite sentences: (1) "Why should I go to Vietnam killing people who never said NIGGER to me?" (2) "The USA is my enemy, not the Vietcong..." these sentences, sent from abroad, would have developed their power as well, would have been a more effective support of his "boxing for justice and liberty" with shaky methods. And secondly I thought, watching this DVD: "The Clash Of Civilizations", the present never ending feud between Christian establishment and Muslim neighborhoods - did this start in the 1960's, when Muhammad Ali and America's fiery civil-rights leader Malcolm X became great political heroes? Nowadays: Ain't there any ways to respect each other? Is the present society a better one as the scene in the years 1964 - 1974, which brought Muhammad Ali a very bitter life? The fresh occurrence of this screen-work made me think like this, and I am convinced, some other viewers will feel similar things. But: Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were gunned down, Muhammad Ali still is a living hero you can grant some honors (summer 1996 in Atlanta, the Champ holding the Olympic torch); evident: something of his style has been the right method ... Fantastic August 12, 2003 4 out of 6 found this review helpful I can understand why other people haven't given this film much of a chance, as it is very slow, but if you enjoy great cinema and like Muhommed Ali then this is the film to watch. Firstly Will Smith is simply magnificent, he captures the role with an incredible degree of accuracy - he IS Ali. The film itself gives a great insight into 10 crucial years of Ali's life, brilliant directing from Mann allow for some brilliant scenes, especially the actual boxing which rivals Raging Bull. pFantastic Acting and Great Directing make this a must see film if your attention span can last longer then 2 hours and you can appreciate decent cinema. Almost a masterpiece October 8, 2007 Brendan O. Clarke (Edinburgh) 1 out of 2 found this review helpful The opening ten-minute sequence of ALI is visually and emotionally stunning: we are treated to a classic scene of Cassius Clay out training for a fight while images flash of the history and time period, all set to the music of Sam Cooke. The film does not (and cannot) maintain the intensity and glory of this opening sequence, ALI is still a film that delivers on several levels. First of all, I believe the acting deserves special notice. Will Smith outdoes himself in this film and proved to me, once again, that he has more talent than I give him credit for even though he doesn't do his reputation any good appearing in movies such as I Am Legend. br / br /Smith's performance as the film's protagonist is moving and charged. Smith has mastered the ALi voice and continues to assault the camera and those around him with its dangerous ammunition. On top of Smith's performance, the entire cast seems to be on fire in this film. Jamie Foxx, one of the most talented actors working right now, delivers a strange and effective performance. While Smith manages to give us a wonderful recreation of Ali's public self, we fail to glimpse the inner emotion of the man. Of course, there is some depth to the character. br / br /While the film spends much of its time glamorising the man, Ali's improper decision making and moral confusion do detract from his character. We are not given a flat superhero to watch for almost three hours. But that being said, the film does fail to convey a real sense of why he is the way he is, of what is driving him. I do not believe it is Smith's fault: I think the film lacks the necessary depth and complexity to answer these questions. br / br /Despite its flaws, Ali the dvd is still worth buying for repeat viewings especially during times of drunkeness or heavy medication. Michael Mann movies are complex pieces of work; they deserve extrs viewings. br /Brendan Bogtrotter Clarke Showing reviews 1-5 of 22 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

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