In this documentary, directed by Leon Cast & Ryan Moore of 1995's 'When We Were Kings' fame, we, the audience got to witness the best scenes from Pacquiao's most memorable fights. The facts of the documentary is very accurate in terms of sporting. It doesn't hide, the fact that Manny Pacquiao did lose, some fights. Despite the outcome of the matches being known, the film was still able to insert suspense and proper tension. I just wish, they didn't use, later boxing commentary for earlier boxing matches. It was bit, misleading. I didn't like how, they made boxing seem crude sport, while glosses over shadier aspects of the boxing world, as well. If you going to say, something about the sport, you might as well, put all your cards into it. I love, how the movie slow-down the historic footage, so that the hits have more impact to those who are watching this film. The film is narrated by Liam Neeson, who commands over the film. His timbre of his voice makes this, very good. The movie also does well with its amazing cinematography and editing. The mixer of both on-location shots, interviews and archival historic footage was used wisely. The musical scoring and editing are extraordinary. They elevate the documentary to high levels. We are swept along with every high and low of Manny's wonderful boxing career. This makes this film, a very well-made documentary. Still, it wanders around way too much on his boxing career, and not enough on his personal life. It really seem to lacks focus. This film feels more like hagiographic than a biographic, due it's one-sided, bias approach to story-telling. The movie doesn't make boxer Manny Pacquiao seem, like a flesh out character. It portray him, as this one-dimensional, all-out, boy-scout type of a guy. Yes, Manny Pacquaio is indeed, a hero, but we, the audience, need to see him, more like a human being, than saint-like. The film needs, to explore Manny Pacquiao's more grey side and his killer-like instincts. We need to know, why Manny Pacquaio chose to go into boxing, besides helping his family. The film doesn't even, bother mentioning the death of a young aspiring boxer and close friend, Eugene Barutag. It needs to talk about, the negative side of boxing and how corrupt, it is. This movie barely, mention how Manny felt, about the business. The movie doesn't show, how Manny's new-founded fame, has cause him, to act out, more. We never got to understand the mindset, in which, at the time, Manny was going through, when his popularity was indeed, rising. We don't know why, he risk his marriage with womanizing, drinking and heavy gambling, between the periods of his life, when his focus on his faith was in its lowest. We don't even, know how Manny Pacquiao met his wife, Maria Geraldine "Jinkee" Jamora, and why they feel in love. The film doesn't bother, mentioning, the steroid allegations against him, or his legal problems. It often shows Manny Pacuqiao doing charity events, or helping his country, but it doesn't show, why. Some of the metaphors such as Manny as a "fighter" who fought for the pride of his country and now will fight for the people of the Philippines feel a bit forced. It seem more like an extended political campaign video ad, than anything else. It needed more conflict, and drama, so that this documentary about a man who overcame insurmountable odds to become one of the most loved and respected boxers of all time would been more engaging. We want to see, why his redemption was needed. We want see him, to have success, but for this rags to riches Cinderella story, to work. You have to get a little dirty. While, the movie lacks in some things, it really success in others. The movie is very entertaining. The movie make jags at how laughable, Manny Paquiao's singing and acting career has gone. There was also a quick montage of his multiple product endorsements locally and abroad, many of which, a lot of fans have not seen before. The celebs interviewers that the movie bring in, for this, wasn't really needed, but they do, give some interesting information about the boxer. Most of all, Mark Walberg's thoughts on the way, how Manny Pacquiao's enter a fight. He brings up the fact that Manny is always smiling. Some of the most emotions scenes in the film are the ones, with his coach, Freddie Roach. You see them, as more than student and mentor. You see a father and son type, they love each other and it's shown in great detail, how much, they care for each other. I love how, we see what a hectic schedule Manny had, put himself, through and why the decline in his skills due to being unfocused leading up to the Marquez KO. The movie doesn't hide, the fact, that this redemption arch has hurt his boxing career. Most of all, I love how, Manny's philosophical thoughts with such lines, like "God knows best". That was indeed, powerful. The movie feels like a motivational video at times. The movie is bit dated, even for an early 2015 released. The movie makes it seem that a Floyd Mayweather fight will probably not going to happen, but it kinda happen, a few months later. Still, it's not the film's fault. Overall: It's a good documentary. I just wish, it was a little better, and more open-minded to showing a more complex side to Pacquaio. It's a must-watch for any boxing fan.
Review of Manny
Manny
(I) (2014)
This documentary wasn't a knock out. Still, it was watchable
7 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers