George Foreman: Cuore da leone

I sure learned a lot from this biographical film, and Foreman's story is like one of those fictional underdog Hollywood films, but it's true. It doesn't get much better than that. All casting and performances where excellent, especially Sullivan Jones who emulated Muhammad Ali perfectly. Even though the pacing felt a little slow at times, the 129 min runtime still flew by with the many vast sub-plots that contributed to Foreman's life story. The screenplay had great fluidity and cohesiveness to it, and was very easy to follow, albeit a little reserved. My only complaint was that I felt the action/fight sequences were filmed underwhelmingly, and could've used more dramatics and better choreography. Plus I felt they were a little too short and rushed, and the focus was more on the story than the action. I'm ok with that, because I wasn't expecting a Rocky or Creed film, but the biographical story of a legendary human being, and that's exactly what I got.

Wow, I'm also very surprised as to how few people have gone to see this in the theatre. It really is a very real, and very inspiring story. It's far too real for many of the critics it seems. Many of them seem to want heartless and flashy nowadays, or overdramatic films with a much more unrealistic heart. There's none of that here, and I'd rather watch more grounded films like this any day of the week. Personally I really didn't care much for the bloated, semi-factual and overly choppily directed Elvis film from 2022. I strongly preferred this much more real feeling story.

I still remember the night Foreman became the Heavyweight Champion of the World for the 2nd time. It was pretty much all anyone was talking about for the next while. How could it even happen? He inspired a ton of old people and a ton of kids as well. To me, Ali and Foreman are truly among histories most inspirational athletes, and more than that, just very inspirational people. They were real however, they both had flaws, but for the most part, both of them successfully overcame many of their shortcomings as well. Both men in fact did it while being greatly inspired by their faith. The film does seem a little rushed at times, as it likely needed to be. When we're dealing with a real persons life, and trying to fit all of the most important parts into a film, that just often has to be the way. Otherwise you end up with a film that's way too long. All in all, I'm certainly glad I went and saw this. Thank you George, for sharing your very inspiring story.

7/10.

My knowledge of Big George Foreman accumulates to two things as a child of the 90s: His name is on the greatest cooking device ever made and he started the trend of middle-aged men proving that they still got it. All that was enough to paek my interest in learning about the rest.

Of course, I'm aware of his big fight with Muhammad Ali but this has to be the first movie that told the story from his perspective (Not surprising sense he did not have the favorable outcome). I learned a lot about Foreman that was really inspiring. It was also a great boxing movie, absolutely a great contender for one of the best sports movies ever made, which surprises me how low key its release was.

It's covering a lot so it goes by a little too fast, but the Info is solid and engaging. Forest Whitaker and Sona Sohn are the only two recognizable names but the dude who plays Foreman himself was absolutely excellent in the role. The physically transformation from becoming 19-year Foreman to 45-year-old Foreman was worthy of an Oscar nod at least (if you believe what they say about winning an Oscar) Big George Forman throughs a good punch.

I never knew the story of George foreman but it really was an inspiring and uplifting to watch. To see George's upbringing and dealing with his angry and challenges as a child and into his adult life was encouraging and fun to watch him start to succeed. The acting was solid and I personally had a strong attachment to the main character that you see his development from a boy to a man. His nature of giving back and self exploration was captured really well and had you rooting for him every step of the way. Watching his ups and downs and struggles was truly inspiring and thought the movie captured it well.

Finally a biographical pic on one of the most inspirational boxers of the century! I'd be lying if I wasn't hyped as hell to watch Big George, and for the most part it was exactly what I wanted!

Unfortunately, the third act was when things started to get a bit iffy, following Foremans decade long hiatus from boxing. I don't expect the film to broadcast EVERY single one of Foremans fights, but they really rushed his comeback. The training was all fine, but the Holyfield and Moorer fights were really downplayed, to the point that they used stock footage for Holyfield v Foreman. And then suddenly we are dropped into the Moorer fight with perhaps little to no buildup whatsoever. And then the film just kind of ends all of a sudden. The pacing took an absolute nosedive.

On a side note, the Jamaican accent that Foreman's wife uses was shockingly bad and killed any seriousness in a scene with her in it.

Beyond those issues, and perhaps a bit of an intrusive soundtrack at times, this is as good of a George Foreman biopic as you could ask for.