ALI (2001) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Will Smith | Jamie Foxx | Jada Pinkett Smith
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Will Smith's portrayal of Muhammad Ali was lauded for its physical commitment, emotional depth, and accurate dialect work.
- ❖The film's documentary-like style, with intimate camera angles and subtle sound design, effectively conveyed raw emotion and historical authenticity.
- ❖Hosts expressed surprise at the extent of Muhammad Ali's controversial civil rights activism and his legal battles against the US government, which were largely absent from their formal education.
- ❖The scene of Ali running in Africa, surrounded by cheering children, was highlighted as a powerful moment showcasing his global symbolic impact.
- ❖The hosts noted the film's influence on later boxing movies, particularly Ryan Coogler's "Creed," in its focus on emotional storytelling during fight scenes.
- ❖The film effectively depicted Ali's personal flaws, such as his struggles with fidelity, without making him a sleazy character, maintaining a nuanced portrayal.
Notable Moments
Will Smith's portrayal of Ali's emotional breakdown after Malcolm X's assassination.
The hosts highlighted Will Smith's ability to convey profound grief and anger, showcasing his dramatic chops and making the audience feel the weight of the historical tragedy through his performance.
Ali's run through Africa, surrounded by chanting children.
This scene was described as the hosts' favorite, powerfully illustrating Ali's symbolic significance and the deep emotional connection he had with people beyond the boxing ring, transforming his motivation from pride to a greater purpose.
The film's fight scenes, particularly the first one against Sonny Liston.
The hosts praised the cinematography for its intimate, emotional focus, noting how it conveyed the fighters' feelings and the intensity of the moment without relying on dialogue, influencing later films like 'Creed'.
Ali's refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War and his subsequent legal battles, culminating in an 8-0 Supreme Court victory.
This segment revealed to the hosts the extent of Ali's political defiance and the significant personal and professional sacrifices he made for his beliefs, highlighting a crucial, often under-taught, aspect of his legacy.
Quotes
"The more real you get, the more unreal it's going to get."
"I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong. Ain't no Viet Cong ever call me."
"If I want to die, I'll die right here, right now, fighting you. If I want to die, you my enemy. Not no Chinese, no Vietkong, no Japanese. You my opposer. When I want justice, you my opposer. When I want equality, you want me to go somewhere and fight for you. You won't even stand up for me right here in America for my rights and my religious beliefs. You won't even stand up for me right here at home."
"Free ain't easy. Free is real. And realness is a [__]."
"As a Muslim, I am failed in God. I should have discovered Islam at 50. Weak on women. My heart followed. Making me the most lovingest husband in the world, the most terriblest husband at the same time."
Q&A
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