Cassius Clay ain't getting no DVD play

Ali -- R\nStarring: Will Smith, Jon Voight, Jamie Foxx\nDirected by: Michael Mann\n\"Ali" was a knockout in the theater. Will Smith, Jon Voight and Jamie Foxx delivered three outstanding performances to give a true-to-life portrayal of the boxing legend. But the movie's bout on DVD is reminiscent of a boxer throwing a fight for a big payday.\nThe movie begins with Cassius Clay winning the heavyweight championship right before he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. We then follow him through his friendship with Malcom X, his fight with the draft and his temporary exile from the Muslim religion. The movie ends with Ali's training in Africa for the "Rumble in the Jungle" against George Foreman, and his regaining of the heavyweight championship from the fat killing grill master. \nThe boxing scenes in "Ali" are phenomenal; the best boxing re-creations in film to date. They are choreographed perfectly, and aren't over-emphasized like typical boxing scenes. Director Michael Mann captures the look and feel of the actual fights and turns the scenes into movie magic.\nBut the movie takes a dive in DVD format. The "Ali" DVD has so many opportunities for bonus material. Documentaries of Ali, making of the movie, interviews with the cast and interviews with Ali are all elements that should've found a place on the disc. But "Ali" is one of the worst DVDs ever for special features mainly because there aren't any. "Ali" brags about its "chapter selection" and "theatrical trailers," but these are given DVD items that no one gives a rat's ass about.\n"Ali" throws the fight so it can make more money. Soon a special edition will be released with all the extra bonus material that should've been on the original. This is becoming a common practice in DVD sales. It is rumored "Lord of The Rings" will also have two separate editions. The first will have limited features, while the second, released months later, will contain further material.\n"Ali" is a good movie, but if you want a good DVD, wait a year or so for the release of the real DVD version.\n

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