Prime Video's much-anticipated biopic miniseries The Greatest, executive produced by Michael B. Jordan, had all the ingredients for a knockout. The life of Muhammad Ali—from his Olympic gold to his epic battles in and out of the ring—is the stuff of legend. Yet, despite a promising premise and a committed cast, the series lands more like a glancing blow than a knockout punch.
What 'The Greatest' Gets Right
The series, created by Ben Watkins (showrunner of Cross), focuses on Ali's early years, from the 1960 Rome Olympics to his 1964 championship victory over Sonny Liston. Jaalen Best embodies the young Cassius Clay with impressive physicality and vocal mimicry, capturing both the swagger and the vulnerability. The supporting cast, including Omari Hardwick as his conflicted father and Michael Ealy as Malcolm X, adds depth to the narrative.
Where the show shines is in its depiction of the racial prejudice Ali faced. Set in the segregated South, it powerfully illustrates the dissonance between his Olympic hero status and the bigotry he encountered at home. The boxing sequences are well-choreographed, and the use of contemporary music—thanks to Jay-Z's Roc Nation involvement—adds a modern energy to the fight scenes.
A Familiar Path That Never Soars
However, The Greatest struggles to rise above the shadow of previous portrayals. Michael Mann's 2001 film Ali with Will Smith, the Oscar-winning documentary When We Were Kings, and even Ali's own 1977 biopic have all told this story with more nuance and drama. The series' script leans heavily on melodrama, reducing complex moments to surface-level confrontations. The infamous incident where Ali throws his Olympic medal into a river—a moment ripe for emotional impact—feels oddly clinical.
Best's performance is solid but hampered by material that never lets us inside Ali's psyche. The narrative plods through familiar beats, missing the chance to explore the inner turmoil of a man who would become a global icon. Even the strong supporting turns from Amin Joseph as Sonny Liston and Dana Gourrier as Ali's mother can't elevate the pedestrian storytelling.
A Missed Opportunity
Authorized biopics often walk a tightrope between authenticity and hagiography. The Greatest errs on the side of caution, delivering a sanitized, Wikipedia-like retelling that fails to capture the excitement and complexity of its subject. While it's a competent production, it lacks the spark that made Ali's story so compelling in the first place.
For those seeking a more gripping sports drama, Prime Video's best thrillers might be a better bet. Or, if you're in the mood for a deep dive into Ali's legacy, the greatest action movies of the 21st century offer more adrenaline. Ultimately, The Greatest is a watchable but forgettable entry in the biopic genre, one that fails to do justice to one of sports' most extraordinary lives.
