Will Smith IS "Ali"

The film can never get off the starting blocks, however, since it's impossible that it can be more entertaining than simply watching real footage of Ali.

And from what I've seen, no, Smith doesn't much look like Ali (not big enough for a start), doesn't talk much like Ali (although he probably thinks he does), and isn't going to convince many people that he is Ali. This film really didn't need to be made.

Exactly. From the trailer it just looks like he's being Will Smith with a nifty fro.

Isn't this the point of that 'acting' thing?

Initially I was disgusted with the idea of Smith as Ali, but I'm warming to it. He's actually a pretty versatile and charismatic actor, check out "6 Degrees of Separation" for proof of that. Ali is one of the most compelling and interesting figures of the 20th century. Michael Mann is a great director (esp. recently with The Insider). That's still no guarantee that it will be good, but I'm still excited to see it.

The Ali story is just so fascinating, "Ali" could be good even if they're only able to tell it with even just a little of the power of the documentary "When We Were Kings" or David Remnick's "King Of The World" biography.

This is probably true. However, Ben Kingsley looked and sounded like Ghandi in that movie. NONE of the trailers for "Ali" show Will Smith doing anything even remotely approaching a credible depiction of Muhammed Ali.

Initially I was disgusted with the idea of Smith as Ali, but I'm warming to it.

I was incredibly psyched about the idea until I saw the trailers. Now I'm beyond pissed.

He's actually a pretty versatile and charismatic actor, check out "6 Degrees of Separation" for proof of that.

The problem, though, is that "Six Degrees Of Seperation" is the ONLY piece of acting he's done where he hasn't been a variation of the same character, and when you dig below the surface, you discover that the character is Will Smith's Stock Character viewed through a dark mirror. The man verges on being the black Tom Hanks.

The Ali story is just so fascinating, "Ali" could be good even if they're only able to tell it with even just a little of the power of the documentary "When We Were Kings" or David Remnick's "King Of The World" biography.

I wanted this movie to be on the same level as "King Of The World", but I just don't see any way it can be pulled off based on the trailers.

No he didn't. He was far too fat to be Gandhi. And he was rubbish. For defintive Gandhi see portrayal in 'Mountbatten: the Last Viceroy' or 'Jinnah'

I disagree, largely because you could take a picture of Ben Kingsley in that role and show it to someone and that person would say, "Oh, that's Ghandi," or "He's playing Ghandi." If you showed a picture of Will Smith's portrayal to someone, the reaction would be, "Why does Will Smith have that nappy 'fro?" Also, it may have been a bad accent (I can't judge), but Kingsley at least he had one. People are going to come out of this movie thinking that Cassius Clay was raised in Philly.

Maybe that's cause you're not used to looking at Indians. Besides, Gandhi had (to Western eyes) clear 'props' that Kingsley could wear, in the same way that Charlie Chaplin had his moustache and walking stick. Easy to copy. But he didn't look anything like Gandhi, physically or facially.

The movie is going to concentrate on '64 to '74 so the key for me will be whether the movie tells the man's story in that period honestly and in an entertaining way. And of course, any Mann film is a must-see.

(I fell asleep while watching "When We Were Kings")

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/jun/21/film.features

Can't knock the opening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STDo6Z5YJa4

The First Ten Minutes of Ali

this was better than i expected. obv is still merely a biopic, so it does come off as just a collection of alis best sound bytes/greatest hits; that opening sequence is good, the rest of the mann-esque montages feel less natural; supporting cast is kinda great

Jamie Foxx's Bundini best i've seen him.

As for the rest, as Armond said, you leave knowing less about Ali than when the film started.

Directors cut the way to OK. Also ... First prominent use of dv in a Hollywood film? Changed Mann's mind at least.