6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Unprecedented access to Muhammad Ali's personal archive of "audio journals" as well as interviews and testimonials from his inner circle of family and friends are used to tell the legend's life story.
Starring: Muhammad Ali Jnr, Hana Ali, Maryum Ali, Muhammad Ali, Rahaman AliSport | 100% |
Biography | 84% |
Documentary | 55% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Portuguese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
It's strange to watch a movie entitled I Am Ali and not actually see Muhammad Ali, at least not sitting down to tell his own story. Writer/Director Clare Lewins' film recreates the legendary boxing champion's life through picture and sound that depicts Ali through the years, his story told through interviews with those closest to him. Even without Ali's own retrospective insight, the film proves a success of Documentary storytelling, weaving together a classy and, other than Ali's absence, complete overview that doesn't focus exclusively on the fighting but rather uses it as something of a constant along the timeline of his life. The film is rightly more concerned with the Muhammad Ali who lives outside the ring: his family life, his activism, his influences on the people closest to him and the world in which he lived. The picture, then, plays with a broader accessibility outside of the sporting universe and should appeal to audiences in search of a well constructed Documentary centered on one of the most prominent and influential men of the 20th century.
He is Ali.
I Am Ali features a blend of aspect ratios and picture quality. The former generally settles on 1.78:1, but old footage sometimes goes ~2.39:1 or ~1.33:1. As for the picture quality, older footage is frequently in some stage of fatigue. Film footage frequently shows robust grain and various bits of wear and tear. Old photographs likewise show deterioration, but some are remarkably sharp and vivid. The new interview footage is fairly crisp and well defined, with quality facial features evident in most every segment. The only major concern is heavy black crush that's noticeable in interviews with Maryum Ali. Minor aliasing is also apparent in a few shots (look at eyeglass frames at the 15:40 mark). On the whole, this is about what one expects of a documentary release with footage that spans several decades; the new material holds up well enough but not without flaws, and older footage is all over the map in terms of quality. The score reflects only the new HD content.
I Am Ali features a healthy DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It's largely constructed of dialogue and music, the latter of which enjoys good general clarity, effortless front side spacing, and an even surround presentation, whether it's underneath dialogue or the dominant aspect of a particular shot or scene. There's never any prioritization problems; dialogue rises well above when necessary but the music maintains good balance and distinction underneath. Dialogue is straightforward and accurate with natural center placement. The only real reservation comes in some of the old recorded phone conversations that are sometimes so muddled that subtitles are occasionally necessary to understand every word. Note that audio options cannot be changed "on the fly" but only via selection in the "pop-up" or "top" menus. Subtitles, on the other hand, may be changed "on the fly."
I Am Ali contains several bonus features in which a number of individuals share additional thoughts on Ali, all grouped within a context
identified in the supplement title. Menu is non-standard Universal with no text identifiers, only symbols. Inside the Blu-ray case,
buyers will find a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy.
I Am Ali plays with an easy, effortless flow that overcomes Ali's absence through a classic narrative structure that's supported by plenty of interviews with family, friends, and rivals that help profile the man who lived outside of the ring and who, from humble roots in Louisville, Kentucky, became one of the most influential figures of the 20th century and arguably the most iconic athlete of all time. Clare Lewins' Documentary may not expose much in terms of new, revelatory content, but the heart and soul of the man and the love flowing from those who speak on his behalf help make this a winning production. Universal's Blu-ray release of I Am Ali features good video and audio. Several short extras are included. Recommended for both longtime Ali and boxing fans as well as outsiders looking for a good overview piece on a legendary figure.
2010
2011
2013
Collector's Edition
2004
Deluxe Limited Edition
2001
Ken Burns
2016
2014
2017
1999
2016
2016
1997
2016
1974
Unrated Extended Edition
2005
2008
Collector's Edition
2003
w/ Limited Edition 'Mr. Socko' sock puppet
2013
2012
Commemorative Edition
2001