Review of Ali (2012) by Alexander Z — 08 Jul 2014

Despite the superb direction, it is absolutely impossible to forget that you're watching Will Smith in this role. It's not because he's so famous. It's because that while he has the mannerisms, body and swagger of Muhammad Ali down to a science, the voice and phrasing just isn't there.

It is unmistakably Will Smith's voice and inflection throughout the film, and whenever a scene that showcases Ali's boasting happens, all you hear is the boisterous Fresh Prince/Independence Day stylings of Will Smith.

While this is not the nail in the coffin, the clinical and slow editing that Mann opts for makes for an arduous and frankly boring viewing. This is a film about a man who at one time ruled the sports and world headlines based entirely on the strength of his personality, and the way in which Mann chooses to study Ali robs the entire film of that.