DVD Review by Yanman

Some of the most admired and adored historical figures in our history have been some of our greatest athletes. In the past 30 plus years, there has been one athlete that truly captured the imagination, which could be identified by just a single name, Ali. While the years have not been kind to this great athlete, anyone that is old enough to remember knows that for a period of time in the late 60’s and early 70’s Muhammad Ali was the most recognizable person in the world. While many thought that he changed his name from Clay to avoid war, few probably new the real story. This movie tells his story and has a real entertainment value as well.

In the 1960’s fighter Cassius Clay, was at the top of his form after winning a gold-medal in the 1960 Olympics. So what would make an athlete, in his prime earning years, convert to Islam, change his name, and take on the entire US government? Well this two and a half plus movie tells that story and much, much more. Staring, Will Smith as the boxing icon that set the world on its ear time and time again, and co-staring an incredible Jon Voight as the ever funny Howard Cosell, Ali is very well done.

Presented in a widescreen anamorphic aspect ratio of 2.40:1, the video quality does suffer from some artifacting and grain in the darkest scenes. The soundtrack, presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, is also rather subdued. We would have hoped that the crowd scenes or the fight scenes would have opened up the sound field a bit more.

Extras? Where? None here. This is a single disc offering that has over two and a half hours of movie to contend with, leaving little or no room for extras. If you are looking for an extras packed version, we say rent this one, and hope for a special edition in the future. If you just have to own the movie now, to watch it again and again, be forewarned, there is only a movie here and a special edition may be just around the corner.

Even though Will Smith didn’t win an Academy Award for this one, his performance is very deserving of one. Smith has proven that he has the box-office draw as the sharp-witted summer action hero more then his fair share of times. In Ali however, Smith proves something else, that he can act, in a serious role. With that out the way, is that really Jon Voight? Or is it Howard himself reincarnated?

Audio
Video
Extras
Overall

This DVD was reviewed on Yanman.com's Reference Theater #1, using a Toshiba SD-4700 DVD player, Toshiba TW56X81, and M&K 750 THX Speakers. Panamax protects all systems at Yanman.com.

Ali

In Ali, Smith proves something else, that he can act, in a serious role.

Staring:

Will Smith
Jon Voight

Directed By:

Michael Mann

Running time: 157 Min 
Rated: R
Genre:  Drama

Bonus Materials

• NONE!