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Flying over the Pacific Ocean on United Airlines I happened to see Will Smith playing a detective in "I, Robot." Watched it twice. A good film, a likeable actor, a loveable robot.

Will Smith had played Muhammad Ali in "Ali" the movie, 2001. So on the strength of Will Smith 2004 . . though I was told back then that the film was a must-miss . . I hired it from the Video Centre. Someone had advised me right. "Ali" is a bad film.

Will Smith lifted weights for a year and built a good set of shoulders to play Cassius. But he boxes badly. Jumps around like the 1970s novices we used to see, who told themselves "I'll copy Ali" - and got knocked out - hands low, reflexes unformed.
The real dud is the movie itself.

A weak script. Limping direction. Consequently Will Smith acts badly. He never bubbles as young Cass did. He never excites.

Cassius Clay (about to unveil himself as Muhammad Ali) ranted and raved after Liston quit. He was hysterical. Will Smith underplayed this.

The actor playing Don King wears a wig shaped solid. Why not a wig in the electric bolts the world knows?

The actor playing George Foreman was Charlie Shufford, the film's one real ringman. Shufford has fought Brewster, McCline and Wlad Klitschko. The biffs dealt out to Will Ali in Zaire are almost believable.

Best bit of action. Malcolm X gunned down in a theatre.

Prettiest. No not the champ. Michelle Michael playing Veronica, the third Mrs Ali. Never saw a more beautiful American.

The scenes of Cassius running his lonely roadwork brought to mind a previous Ali film, "The Greatest." A vastly better movie, scripted from Ali's autobiography, 'The Greatest.' Whitney Houston sang "The Greatest Love of all." And Ali played himself in the second half. No great shakes as an actor, old Cassius, but he leaves Will Smith's modern version flat.

Ask your video shop for 'The Greatest.'