Will Smith: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

3. Muhammad Ali - Ali

Ali is Will Smith’s most “acting-y” role. A physical biopic that sheds some light on an iconic figure (in this case Muhammad Ali), this could have easily been an obvious attempt to turn mainstream appeal into awards recognition (like, y’know, Concussion), but it isn’t. It’s a solid movie; not a boxing classic like Raging Bull, but an interesting dissection all the same.

Oddly, Smith is better in the physical parts than he is the trademark barbs that defined the real-life Ali, but he’s helped along by Michael Mann’s assured directing hand.

It’s just a shame he’s not really followed it up with anything comparable. Well, aside from Concussion, which is so bland it doesn’t make either side of this list.