Prime Video's 'The Greatest': A Melodramatic Take on Muhammad Ali's Early Career

In a new biopic series by Prime Video, 'The Greatest', the early life of boxing legend Muhammad Ali is brought to the screen, covering his journey from Olympic champion to heavyweight champion of the world. The series, created and showrun by Ben Watkins, focuses on Ali's life from his Olympic victory in 1960 to his historic 1964 championship bout against Sonny Liston ¹²³.

Jaalen Best takes on the role of the young Cassius Clay, bringing to life the charismatic and ambitious boxer who would go on to become one of the most celebrated athletes of all time. Alongside Clay, the series features other notable figures from Ali's early career, including his trainer Angelo Dundee, cornerman Drew Bundini Brown, and influential civil rights leader Malcolm X ¹².

Lonnie Ali, the widow of Muhammad Ali, is reportedly involved as an executive producer, lending her personal touch and insight to the project ¹³. The series delves into the civil rights movement and its impact on Clay's career, showcasing the social and political climate of the time ². However, critics have noted that while the series excels in its visual elements, such as period-appropriate costumes and settings, it falls short in its narrative depth ¹³.

One of the standout aspects of 'The Greatest' is its attention to detail in recreating the era, with costumes and settings that transport viewers back to the 1960s. Yet, the series has been described as having a melodramatic and surface-level script, which detracts from the richness of Ali's story ³. Additionally, the inclusion of contemporary music in several scenes suggests a modern twist, possibly influenced by the production involvement of Jay-Z's Roc Nation ³.

What we know

• - The Prime Video series 'The Greatest' covers Muhammad Ali's life from his Olympic win in 1960 to his 1964 championship fight against Sonny Liston ¹²³
• - Ben Watkins is the creator and showrunner of 'The Greatest' ¹²³
• - Jaalen Best stars as Cassius Clay in the series ¹²
• - The series includes notable figures such as Sonny Liston, Angelo Dundee, Drew Bundini Brown, Malcolm X, and others ¹²
• - Lonnie Ali is likely an executive producer of the series ¹³
• - The series explores the civil rights movement and its impact on Cassius Clay's career ²
• - The series is described as having a melodramatic and surface-level script, lacking depth ³
• - The series features period-appropriate costumes and settings ¹
• - The series includes contemporary music in several scenes, likely due to production involvement from Jay-Z's Roc Nation ³