Monday 9 March 2009

Ali


Film: Ali
Dir: Michael Mann
Starring: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight

I always get obsessive after I watch biopics. First I research everything about the person. Then I do my best to start looking like that person. Finally, I convince myself I am that person. Fortunately, it's a phase that only lasts about 20 minutes after watching the film.

Considering they had such quality source material to work with, the only way they could mess this up is through sloppy editing or unconvincing acting. The acting is top notch - esp. Foxx as the Jew who acts as Ali's aide. The editing though is sloppy as turd. Ali is like 'the top 10 things that happened in Muhammad Ali's life'. There's no constant theme. Characters are brought in and taken out without introduction, assuming that the viewer knows who they are and their background story (Narry Borman, of course, knows all, but the regular viewer wouldn't stand a chance).

One thing I loved about Ali was that some of it looked real. No, I don't mean like when an explosion look real. I mean it looks like everyday life - not the glossy, over-processed image that normally comes out of Hollywood.

Good!

2 comments:

  1. your reaction to biopics. lol. so glad it only lasts 20 minutes, sir.

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  2. The 20 minutes after watching Nixon was the most boring 20 minutes of my life.

    Loving your blog, by the way, Nathaniel R!

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