Cool News
Pokey Looks at ALI
Hey folks, Harry here. Seems like a lot of people just are not enjoying ALI. I keep hearing that the film is just a paper thin portrait of the man with really strong performances, but a severe lack of material. I'm supposed to see this this week, so I'll let you know what I think then. Enjoy...
Hello Harry. Saw "Ali" this weekend at an industry
screening on the Sony Pictures Studios lot. Just call
me Pokey.
I was actually surprised by how easy it was for me to
get in. I'm connected to a Hollywood guild, so during
this awards season my guild card allows a guest and
myself to get in free not only at regular movie
theaters, but also the private industry screenings set
up by the studios/distributors. I rolled up to the
Sony gate expecting they'd have a list there, but when
I told them I was going to the screening they just
waived me through. Then I got to the theater and
approached the woman with the RSVP list manning the
door. Now, I had called to RSVP when the ad for this
particular screening had first appeared in the trades.
I had already tried for some other films -- "Lord of
the Rings", "A Beautiful Mind" -- but they were all
booked, so I was pleasantly surprised that this
industry screening of "Ali" seemed to still be open. I
got to the theater, though, and my name wasn't on the
list. I told the woman that I had RSVP'd. She just
asked what organization I was with and waived me
through. Didn't even ask to see my card.
(A quick recap for AICNers in L.A.: got to the studio
lot gate, told them I was there for the screening,
they just waived me through. Got to the theater, name
wasn't on the list, told them I RSVP'd, they just
waived me through without asking to see my card).
Anyway, the film itself: good, but not great. In fact,
of Michael Mann's last three epics -- this one, "The
Insider" and "Heat" -- "Ali" is the least of them. Of
course, it's Michael Mann, so this film is better than
most of what is out there. But it is quite a letdown
after "The Insider". I doubt "Ali" will get a Best
Picture nomination. In any case, it shouldn't.
The main problem is that the film tries to cover so
much territory in a very limited amount of time. It
begins with the hype leading up to Ali's first fight
with Sonny Liston, and ends ten years later with the
"Rumble in the Jungle" fight against George Foreman.
It covers things such as Ali's relationships with
Malcom X and Howard Cosell, his weakness for women and
penchant to jump into marriage, his trust of people
who didn't have his best interests at heart, and of
course his refusal to be drafted into the military and
the consequences that followed.
But any one of these things could alone have made for
a good two-hour movie. Remember, one of the best and
most compelling films in recent memory is the
documentary "When We Were Kings", which focused solely
on the Rumble in the Jungle. Ali has led such a
complex and dramatic life, and to try to squeeze the
most dramatic 10-year period of it into a
two-and-a-half hour film is just such a formidable
task to begin with.
Thus, the movie glazes over things, and in many cases
fails to stop and elaborate on key events and
character points when it really should. It was clear
to me that A LOT was left on the cutting room floor.
(Quite a bit of what you see in the previews and
promotional photos don't make it into the film). In
fact, the movie feels very disjointed. For example, we
see "Ali-Frazier 1" but
then we go from that right into the Rumble in the
Jungle. At one point, when it looks like George
Foreman might pull out of the fight, someone suggests
that they can always have "Ali-Frazier 3". But nothing
was ever mentioned of "Ali-Frazier 2" (an important
fight which Ali in fact won, and which gave added
credibility to the Foreman fight). It FELT like
something was missing there. (Watching this film, one
could think, Well, he lost so badly in his last fight,
so what right does he have to call himself "the real
champion" and challenge Foreman?)
I guess it could be said that I had an unfair
advantage going into the movie with prior knowledge
about Ali. So of course that paints my view of the
film. But the film works best for those who are
already very familiar with Ali's story. Those people
can fill in the blanks themselves. But those who don't
know much about Ali will be at a loss to understand
why so many people believe the man truly is "The
Greatest". Even they will sense the story has a lot of
holes, and it will likely leave a lot of them
confused.
Another problem I had is that there is little sense of
the scope of Ali. The film doesn't come close to
capturing just how huge and iconic a figure he really
was. It suggests it, but never captures it.
(Coincidentally, this was my main problem with a
related biopic, Spike Lee's "Malcom X", which is a
much better film by the way). We see Ali in small
hotel rooms, in small cars for secret meetings in
parking garages, on tour in Africa waving to crowds.
But it isn't until we get to the Rumble in the Jungle
that the movie starts to open up to the fact that Ali
was an international figure. For example, there is a
scene in a small club where Ali tells his date (later
to be his first wife) that he met the Beatles. ("Only
one of them is smart -- the one with the glasses." I
loved that). He TELLS his date (again, in a small
club), but why doesn't the movie SHOW it? Just a few
quick shots that could have gone a long way in
capturing how big the man really was.
Of course the big question a lot of people have is
"How is Will Smith?" Will Smith is good. He does his
job and earns his paycheck, in my opinion. Though
because the movie glazes over Ali's life, Smith
doesn't get the opportunity to really sink into the
role. Smith deserves kudos, but certainly not an Oscar
nomination, or even a Golden Globe nomination. The
movie doesn't give him enough to work with, and I
think it will be a shame if the
big-star-plus-big-director-plus-event-movie-plus-big-studio-awards-push
formula leads to him being nominated. The only two
award-worthy performances in the film are Jon Voight
as Howard Cosell (really tough to play Cosell and not
make it a caricature; Voight does and nails it) and
Mario Van Peebles as Malcolm X (this film should
revive his acting career). Jamie Foxx is good and has
his moments but, like Smith, didn't really get the
chance to sink into his role.
Of course, all of this is just my opinion. Others will
see it differently.
- Pokey
-
+ Expand All
-
Just an off subject thought. Looking forward to this flick, too.
-
You'll be first someday. Maybe no one's posted at the Majestic Talkback yet. good luck. I was really hoping this movie would be good. I wonder what Blackhawk Down would have been like if Michael Mann had done it. But then again, I'm still wondering what it would have been like if Ridley Scott had done it. I like Brian de Palma. Did anyone ever see The Phantom of the Paradise. I figure that and Carlito's Way are his two best movies.
-
I made my mind up on Ali when in another review on these boards it stated that they didnt portray Cassius Clay as the underdog when he took on Sonny Listen. To leave such important information out of someone's biopic is not being true to the name of Ali. De Palma's greatest film in my opinion is Scarface, but Carlitos Way is still a masterpiece.
-
I'm terrified of this film. After working with wonderful actors (Pacino, Crowe, De Niro) on his last few pictures, Mann seems to have lost his mind with regards to casting this film. The only things missing from this cast are Jan-Michael Vincent and a Wayans sibling (any Way'll do). Repeat after me: Will Smith is the Fresh Prince. Mario Van Peebles is Sonny Spoon. Jamie Foxx is a talentless whore. Why, when we have a films such as THE HURRICANE and WHEN WE WERE KINGS to show us how much the title 'Champion of the World' means to the population of this planet, both politcally and personally, WHY would you cast such an absolute buffoon in the role of a lifetime? Unless the whole thing is a plan to undermine Ali's legacy of resistance to idiocy. Then it makes perfect sense. I welcome this film into a crowded marketplace, positioned directly across from some serious competition. This might turn out to be Wil's LAST ACTION HERO. Buy your friends and family any one of the real Ali bios that are out there, and give them a solid reason to avoid this film.
-
I agree with you about Scarface. The denouement is both piquant (don't actually know what that word means) and the final clinching proof that snorting an anthill worth of Colombia's finest might make even the most sensible cuban murderer a little too confident about his chances in a shoot-out. But I cannot recommend strongly enough de Palma's Paradise. It's one of the best musicals I've ever seen. Hedwig's really good too though. Hey, has anyone around here seen Way of the Gun. I didn't like that movie, but for some reason I have a hard time forgetting I've seen it.
-
I will check out De Palma's Paradise, I have not seen it so I couldnt comment on it. The same goes for me with The Way of the gun, I have seen it and I know when I watched it, I hated it and thought it was boring. Its been months since then and its released on DVD down the local store and I have a niggling feeling that I want to check it out again but I know for sure that first time I viewed it I couldnt stand it. I dont want this feeling, but its imprinted in me. I wish I never seen it in the first place now.
-
You've got something there. Not to be melodramatic, but after watching that movie (Gun) I felt sort of, I don't know, almost dirty. Like I'd witnessed a crime being committed but just kept on walking and pretended I hadn't. Well, that's exaggerating a bit, but I'm having a hard time putting it into words. Just so you know, Paradise is the weirdest thing de Palma's ever done, way weirder than that John Lithgow movie he did. It's a sort of rock and roll musical...well, it can't be described. The only movies I think of in relation to it are probably Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Meet the Feebles, although that doesn't make any sense either. Oh forget it.
-
Well well well, here we are again. Hollywood takes on history and manages to gum up the works...again. While I was never a big fan of Ali's (being before my time), I respect his ability as a boxer, despite his many controversies. I'd have a look at this mostly for the performances (much the same way I did the much maligned "Nixon") alone, as the Harry suggested that'd be the strength. When I first heard Smith was taking this on I thought "no way", but the more I see of it, ALI may very well be worth a look, if only for that. God knows I needn't see it for "historical value".
-
I remember way back just walking into the theater to see Hook on the Sony lot. Coppola and his brood where there, as well as some of the cast. I saw T2 there as well, with Cameron and most of the cast. You just have to know the time and place.
-
I've seen a lot of promos and trailers for Ali but I don't see the legendary boxer - I just see (and hear) Will Smith with more hair and muscles as usual. I don't think the right guy was chosen for the role. In this case, I think it's obvious that fame prevaled over an actor who bears any real resemblance whatsover to Ali.
-
How could they do that? That does not make sense. Can anyone else who has seen the film confirm this?
-
Dec 17, 2001 12:14:13 PM CST
I'll support it but I am not all that interested in it.
by brooklyn bred
My question is who goes to the movies on Christmas day?
-
...I took you up on your assertion. The Random House College Dictionary, Revised Edition. Ali's there, page 34. "3.Muhammad (Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.), born 1942, U.S. boxer, world heavyweight champion 1964-67, 1974-78, 1978-79." And De Palma's best movie was "Casualties of War." Or not. Suit yourself.
-
This could begin it, but it can't revive it.
-
Phantom of the Paradise is one of my favorite musicals, but as for De Palma, I love Obsession, Dressed to Kill and Blow Out more than either Scarface and Carlito's Way. Although I like Carlito's Way better than Scarface, its the last good movie he made, sad to say.
-
Probably half the talkbackers on here, that's who.
-
No other movies exist.
-
there is only one great movie about boxing THe CHAMP starring howard cossell
-
I thought it was a good film, it reminded me to much of "Man On The Moon". All the scenes with Ali and Cosell are total classics... very funny!!! Even the scene where Ali totally dogs out Don King to his face! I agree with the review that it tried to cover to much and so many times the films tone would change along with it that you didn't know what point or side of Ali they were really trying to convey. The movie felt super long because so many times in the film it would just DRAGGGGGGG... so slow that they should've left some parts on the cutting room floor to make it flow quicker. Will Smith was amazing in it along with Jon V as Cosell... to bad it wasn't put together all that great. It's a rental, not something to rush in a theatre to. One critic walked out saying "Will Smith just plays himself in all his movies!". Ugh, this is why I hate newspaper and magazine critics... they think they know what they are talking about but instead are really just going into the movie with pre-concieved notions. So of course Will Smith played himself in that movie well becuase Will Smith has the arrogance and charm as a actor that Ali has as a person. This is why this movie reminded me of "Man On The Moon" becuase Ali was kinda similar to Andy Kaufmann... they were good at sike'ing people out. They were great intimidators out of pure fun and for entertainment when inside they were gentle fun loving human beings. So it was perfect for someone like Smith to portray that of Ali.
-
Does this film end before Ali gets Parkinson's Disese? That would be hard to watch, seeing as Will Smith isn't the most subtle of actors. Ali, I've always thought, has handled himself so well and with such pride in these later years. It would be a shame not to honor that with the dignity it deserves.
-
I mean how can a movie that features a protagonist that looks like a combination of Batman and a hood ornament be a good movie? I saw it and thought it was the weirdest, funniest, most likely to be on MST3K if they were still on the air, piece of garbage ever. I can't believe De Palma directed that schlockfest. It's right up there with Lucas and Howard the Duck. Which I believe Lucas has denied any knowledge of producing. I'll take Ali and LOTR trilogy over that movie any day.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 419 total posts 209 posts
- WTF HOLLYWOOD: SOLARBABIES -- 131 total posts 129 posts
- Herc’s Seen Tonight’s Return Of THE WALKING DEAD!! Discuss Also DOWNTON ABBEY, FEAR FACTOR, PAN AM, ONCE, SIMPSONS, DYNAMITE, LUCK, SHAMELESS, BAIT CAR, THE GRAMMYS And More!! Sunday Is Sweeps Day 11!! -- 123 total posts 122 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 124 total posts 58 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 191 total posts 47 posts
- Avid Comic Reader Hercules Does Battle With Tedium During Kevin Smith’s COMIC BOOK MEN! -- 43 total posts 43 posts
- If the Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day drops her pen, pick it up, but don’t look at her legs or else it will be on your record. -- 60 total posts 42 posts
- I am The Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day! No, I’m the Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day! -- 27 total posts 27 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 506 total posts 26 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 77 total posts 24 posts