Ali

Name: Ali
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Released: December 25, 2001
Duration: 157 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Will Smith

2001

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Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 76 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 76 Ratings

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Ali

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2001 | R

Starring: Will Smith

Summary: Will Smith and director/writer Michael Mann take you into the heart and life of the boxer, the legend and, more importantly, the man, Muhammad Ali. [Columbia Pictures]

Director: Michael Mann

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Sport

Rating: R

Runtime: 157 min

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Critic Reviews

Peter Travers

Ali is a bruiser, unwieldy in length and ambition. But Mann and Smith deliver this powerhouse with the urgency of a champ's left hook. Read full review

Richard Schickel

A thoughtful epic is both a rarity and an oxymoron. But that's what Ali is, and you can't help being drawn sympathetically into its hero's struggle for mastery of himself and his era.

David Sterritt

What keeps the movie from championship status is a sense that the filmmakers see Ali's social and political contributions as extra added attractions, ultimately less important than his greatness in the ring. Read full review

J. Hoberman

Filled with vivid cameos and set to an infectious soul beat that effectively covers the underlying hum of calculated precision. Read full review

Mike Clark

Ali is no disgrace, but it's not much of a performer, especially considering that it is one of the few hyped year-end releases that coulda been a contender. Read full review

Stephen Hunter

For a movie, Michael Mann's Ali is great radio. It's almost better to squint, so that you see the film in soft focus, just fury and motion and blurred faces; meanwhile, with your ears cranked open wide, everybody sounds much more like they should than looks like they should. Read full review

Charles Taylor

Will Smith flies like a butterfly, but what director Michael Mann does to the greatest fighter of all time just stings. Read full review

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User Reviews

GoinBananaz

Aug 10, 2014

Although I have never been a fan of Muhammad Ali's attitude and arrogance I have always been a fan of Ali the athlete. I was very pleased with this movie and it seemed to me to be very accurate in all details. They did a very good job keeping it true to life. This movie was not only factualAlthough I have never been a fan of Muhammad Ali's attitude and arrogance I have always been a fan of Ali the athlete. I was very pleased with this movie and it seemed to me to be very accurate in all details. They did a very good job keeping it true to life. This movie was not only factual but highly enjoyable as the story of one of my all time favorites; the greatest, Muhammad Ali. I have given it the highest rating of 10!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Spangle

Feb 14, 2016

Powerful, emotionally stirring, and ever captivating, Michael Mann's biopic Ali is a brilliant film that is an example of Mann directing in peak form, comparable to his success with Heat and The Insider. The direction is fantastic and this film touches on many aspects of Muhammad Ali'sPowerful, emotionally stirring, and ever captivating, Michael Mann's biopic Ali is a brilliant film that is an example of Mann directing in peak form, comparable to his success with Heat and The Insider. The direction is fantastic and this film touches on many aspects of Muhammad Ali's compelling life and none of them feel out of place. They all feel as if they are coherent and moving towards the same goal. Additionally, the writing is fantastic and did a great job both capturing Ali and making compelling cinema. Will Smith is phenomenally charismatic in the lead role and truly embodies the boxing legend. The choreography of the fights and everything to do with them is fantastic with the music and editing being particular highlights. Both ensure that the fights are as climactic as possible and also compelling as possible. Overall, Ali is truly a brilliant work from Michael Mann that reaches far and high and winds up knocking out the competition.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 22, 2021

This is a sporting related drama film, which covers themes including deterimination, standing up for what you believe, prejudice, social injustice and the importance of faith. I felt it was a very watchable, rather engrossing film, which is relatively fast paced - it certainly starts atThis is a sporting related drama film, which covers themes including deterimination, standing up for what you believe, prejudice, social injustice and the importance of faith. I felt it was a very watchable, rather engrossing film, which is relatively fast paced - it certainly starts at quite a strong pace. The dialogue is quite sharp and witty, much as the main character was in real life. I felt it was a well made film, quite a thought provoking one at that. It certainly doesn't shy away from the issues of racism and the then lack of civil rights in the US, with Ali's disgust at the past of his people (i.e. slave ownership) being clearly put across. Religion plays a pretty key part in the plot, unsurprisingly given its importance to the man himself.

I could almost feel the anger and resentment in myself, that was clearly felt by different people at different times in the film. The film features some African music, played while Ali is visiting certain countries as a guest of honour. Other songs played include numerous Sam Cooke tracks, performed by David Elliot, which include You Send Me, Bring It On Home To Me and Somebody Have Mercy. Other songs featured include Ain't No Way performed by Aretha Franklin and As The Years Go Passing By, performed by Mighty Joe Young. I suppose the songs help to put the time the film is set in, in to context regarding the cultural, race related issues present. I thought the soundtrack helped to add to the atmosphere, with it being a very engrossing and atmospheric film in general.

Cast wise, Will Smith plays Ali. I felt he was a very good choice for the main role, as he does well at portraying Ali's mannerisms, having his sharp tongue and clearly being very motivated, stubborn and self assured, while also frustrated. I felt he seemed very believable as a man of principles. Other cast members include Jamie Foxx as Drew Brown, John Voight as Howard Cosell, Mario Van Peebles as Malcolm X (whose assassination saddens Ali deeply), Mykelti Williamson as Don King and Jada Pinkett Smith as Sonji Roi.

There is what could be seen as slightly wonky camerawork present in some scenes, with the camera moving from side to side fairly slowly but still enough to possibly put some people off. This is mostly (though probably not quite exclusively) the case during key scenes when Ali is shown being engraged or otherwise angry and upset, during one of his many outbursts. Content wise, this film contains some strong language and racially offensive, or otherwise derogatory, language. It also contains scenes of boxing matches, thus inevitably some bloody injury and violence is present but otherwise there isn't anything much else likely to offend. The film carries a 15 rating to reflect this.

I felt that this was a rather haunting film, thanks to the good soundtrack and the great performances by the cast. I felt the film was relatively engrossing and its certainly a worthwhile watch overall.

Yes I'd recommend this film, as I felt it was well made, with a great performance by Will Smith as the man himself. Its a thought provoking film, with a good soundtrack and some witty dialogue and I enjoyed watching it on that basis.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EpicLadySponge

Apr 18, 2016

Ali never brings people into shame, neither does Will Smith because with Ali, no one can truly understand how it takes to be a true boxer and Muhammad Ali, played by Will Smith, proves us how to be one.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarkTakayama

Jul 11, 2016

After I heard news about Muhammad Ali's death.I watched a lot of videos about him.This movie was one of them. This movie focused on his career from the first fight with Sonny Liston to the rumble in the jungle with George Foreman.

1.Very informative Ali is a famous person.If you don'tAfter I heard news about Muhammad Ali's death.I watched a lot of videos about him.This movie was one of them. This movie focused on his career from the first fight with Sonny Liston to the rumble in the jungle with George Foreman.

1.Very informative
Ali is a famous person.If you don't know his life, please watch this video.He became a champ in 1964.But he lost his title due to his political conflicts with Federal Government.His famous fight with Foreman in Zaire.You must learn Ali's great life.

2.History.
You will see a couple of important figures in the 60's and 70's.
Malcolm X is his friends of Ali.Sadly,Malcolm X was killed.
The president Mobutu Zaire invited Ali to dinner.Mobutu was a dictator in Zaire. He was a political ally with Richard Nixon because of His ant communist stances. It seemed that Mobutu successfully promoted his country, using this great boxing event.

3.His fight scenes was very real. The movie describes Ali's important fights with Liston, Freizer, Foreman.The film is well described Ali's famous " Rope a Dope." with George Foreman.

4,Zaire
I enjoyed Zaire..But people are very nice and friendly.
The people in Zaire really inspire Ali According to Wikipedia, Ali Bomaye. According to Wikipedia, the shooting also took place in Mozambique.

Will Smith did a great job.According to Wkipedia, "Smith spent approximately one year learning all aspects of Ali's life. These included boxing training (up to seven hours a day), Islamic studies and dialect training. Smith has said that his portrayal of Ali is his proudest work to date."

I like this movie.Story, actors and boxing. Hope Ali's legacy lives with this movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ERG1008

Sep 17, 2010

Will Smith was very good but I wanted to see more about what happened out of the ring, more about the man himself. Yes we all know he beat Foreman, Liston, etc in those fights, so why go on so long with them?
Should have brought it up to date with his later fights, Parkinsons Disease, etcWill Smith was very good but I wanted to see more about what happened out of the ring, more about the man himself. Yes we all know he beat Foreman, Liston, etc in those fights, so why go on so long with them?
Should have brought it up to date with his later fights, Parkinsons Disease, etc rather than stopping in 1975.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

ydnar4

Jul 21, 2015

Muhammad Ali is one of the most legendary figures of all-time and he deserves to have a biopic that it amazing and he just doesn't get it here and I don't think he ever will. Will Smith is great as Ali and I think he was the best choice to play the legendary boxer and I think he did a goodMuhammad Ali is one of the most legendary figures of all-time and he deserves to have a biopic that it amazing and he just doesn't get it here and I don't think he ever will. Will Smith is great as Ali and I think he was the best choice to play the legendary boxer and I think he did a good job but it seems like this film is too basic and it didn't try to dive into Ali's personal life at all and that what fans would want to see. The film also doesn't really give you a chance to get to know the characters and their role in the film, the film takes off immediately which isn't the best idea for a biography film. This film is way too long it should be at least a half hour shorter and it only focuses on like 3 points of Ali's career so each event drags on and the film starts to get boring which I can rarely say about most sports biopics. 2 and a half hours is a long time considering only 10 years of Ali's life where covered. Ali is sadly forgettable and I can't say I recommend it unless you are already an expert on Ali's career before you watch the film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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85	#85 Most Discussed Movie of 2001
91	#91 Most Shared Movie of 2001