Ali (2001)

"Will Smith is The Greatest!  Sara Edwards, NBC Boston
"Michael Mann and Will Smith punch their way to the bruised heart of a hero.  Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
"...the narrative is compelling, as are the performances.  James Berardinelli's ReelViews
"...an honest, richly detailed, gorgeous movie.  David Anson, Newsweek
"...captures the impact and charisma.  Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
"Will Smith is vastly impressive...  Danny Graydon, BBCi
"Michael Mann is a master filmmaker.  Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Editor's Note Michael Mann's ALI manages to be an informative look at the career of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and an entertaining and moving portrait of the man. The action begins with the brash young Cassius Clay's surprising victory over Sonny Liston. The film depicts Clay's conversion to Islam, his partnership with "Bundini" Brown (Jamie Foxx in a wonderfully complex turn), his friendship with Howard Cosell (a transformed Jon Voight), his principled refusal to serve in the military during Vietnam, and his subsequent problems with the law and the boxing commission. The film concludes with Ali's battle with George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle." Will Smith delivers a worthy performance, transforming his body, face, and voice to capture the spirit of the charismatic fighter. The work of the supporting cast is superb, including Smith's real-life wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Marvin Gaye's daughter, Nona Gaye, as the women in Ali's life. Mann brings the viewer in close to the boxing action, effectively depicting Ali's unique grace and quickness, and the violent frenzy of the sport. The film shows the familiar public figure of fights and press conferences, and also gives a glimpse of the quiet, thoughtful private life of Ali.

	Jada Pinkett Smith
	Jaime Foxx
	Jamie Foxx
	Jeffrfey Wright
	Jon Voight
	Mario Van Peebles
	Mykelti Williamson
	Pal Rodriguez
	Ron Silver
	Will Smith
	Marlene Stewart - Costume Designer
	Michael Mann - Director
	Emmanuel Lubezki - Director of Photography
	Graham King - Executive Producer
	Howard Bingham - Executive Producer
	Lynzee Klingman - Film Editor
	William Goldenberg - Film Editor
	Stephen Rivkin - Film Editor
	Peter Bourke - Musical Score
	Lisa Gerrard - Musical Score
	Jon Peters - Producer
	James Lassiter - Producer
	Michael Mann - Producer
	Paul Ardaji - Producer
	A. Kitman Ho - Producer
	John Myhre - Production Designer
	Michael Mann - Screenplay
	Christopher Wilkinson - Screenplay
	Eric Roth - Screenplay
	Stephen J. Rivele - Screenplay
	Gregory Allen Howard - Story By

New York Times
"...ALI is a breakthrough for director Michael Mann....His overwhelming love of its subject will turn audiences into exuberant, thrilled fight crowds..." 12/25/2001 p.E1

Entertainment Weekly
"...Dazzling....As Ali, Will Smith undergoes the kind of astonishing self-transformation that makes you blink, then stare..." 01/04/2002 p.44-5

Rolling Stone
"...Smith gives a towering performance, defiantly funny and impassioned....Mann and Smith deliver this powerhouse with the urgency of a champ's left hook..." 01/17/2002 p.56

Variety
"...[The film] possesses an informed, intelligent perspective..." 12/17/2001 p.35-41

Box Office
"...Smith is undeniably excellent in the role, capturing the essence of Ali's character....Other supporting performers are equally convincing..." 02/01/2002 p.56

Total Film
"...Smith has nailed the voice, the charm, the body language -- he has, in short, become Ali as much as any actor possibly could..." 03/01/2002 p.100

Sight and Sound
"...Will Smith embodies the public Ali with supreme confidence, bringing the familiar routines to his life without falling back on mere impersonation..." 03/01/2002 p.34=5

The New York Times 9 of 10
...The script has been developed to give Mr. Smith the opportunity to burrow inside Ali. There are moments of the rousing Ali, as he announces his refusal to go to Vietnam or spars with Howard Cosell, played by Jon Voight, whose portrayal is a riveting tribute to his character actor's instincts. Mr. Voight goes beyond impersonation; he makes Cosell a recognizable human being. - Elvis Mitchell