” is debuting well after “The Last Dance,” it’s hard not to think of it as a sort of spiritual prequel to ESPN’s propulsive docuseries. “The Last Dance,” which detailed the rise of Michael Jordan as both a superstar athlete and unstoppable global brand, immediately became a sensation upon its April 2020 premiere. With Jordan on board as a subject, source and producer, “The Last Dance” told the story of a man, but also the story of the time and place in which he thrived.
It’s a feat that “Muhammad Ali” manages to break down exactly how that happened without collapsing under the sheer volume of material at play. With a steady hand, the series details the ins and outs of Ali’s unparalleled boxing career, his significance as an unapologetic Black Muslim, and his singular place in history as a lightning rod who never shied away from the storm.
Written by Sarah Burns and McMahon, and narrated with gravitas by Keith David, the episodes unfold chronologically, tracing Ali’s youth as a wisecracking kid, his ascendence in the boxing scene and far beyond. “He called himself the Greatest,” David’s voiceover intones over an image of a young Ali’s smiling face, “and then he proved it to the entire world.”
That Ali captivated “the entire world” is a key point for the series, which delves into his cultural impact as an outspoken Black Muslim American man. It lays out the arc of his dedication to the Nation of Islam, from Malcom X introducing him to being exiled himself years later. Ali’s refusal to be inducted into the U.S.
Adding to the nuance of these discussions is the fact that “Muhammad Ali” does make room for the stories of men like Frazier, Sonny Liston and George Foreman, whose paths collided with Ali but were nonetheless unique unto themselves. Their matches against Ali, and the circumstances leading up to and following them, help form the structure of the series, which might otherwise become unwieldy.
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For 40 years Burns has appointed himself the curator of the black experience in America. It's probably time for him to let everyone else have a go.