Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World – Review

Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World – Budget of $32 million – 2 hours and 9 minutes

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Nancy moved her children to Houston, Texas’s fifth ward housing community. She splits a sandwich between her four children and tells her son, George Foreman, not to fight in school. Big George stands out in his school because of his size and tattered clothing. When a kid picks on George for being poor, George stands up and punches the kid in the face. That anger and resentment followed George into his teens. He dropped out and started mugging people. One night, George and his friend mug an undercover cop, and George evades the police by covering himself in human sewage. George walks down the street and sees a TV commercial for the Job Corps. He begs Nancy to let him join. He explains that he will get paid, have housing, and learn a trade. Nancy agrees but warns George that California is too far to turn around. George must stick with it, and he agrees.

George keeps his anger in check and makes a friend, Desmond, but things change when someone steals George’s Chuck Taylor sneakers (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). George spots a cadet wearing them and chases the person on campus. George breaks down a door, hangs the man upside down from a window, and takes the shoes off the man’s feet. Doc sees George’s handy work and tells George that he must leave school. This attack is George’s third strike. Doc gives George money for a train ticket, but George begs to stay. Doc reviews George’s record and sees George likes to fight. So Doc offers George a choice: Train to become a boxer or leave school. George agrees, gets in the ring, and learns that punching isn’t enough. Boxing is a sport with rules and mind games. Doc tells George that he needs to work on his mentality and footwork to succeed. After training for a year, George wants fancy cars and a large home. Doc informs George that the best path is to compete in tournaments, get the golden gloves, compete in the Olympics, and get a title fight. That title fight will guarantee a large payday. Doc doesn’t think George will be ready for the 1968 Olympics in one year and wants George to wait five years. George sets out to prove Doc and the rest of the world wrong for the next 50 years.

This movie is three comeback stories in one. First, George returns to God. George denied Nancy’s faith for years because he was poor and overlooked. However, George prays when his newborn nephew is sick and after George’s death. Next is George’s return to the ring. He takes on the fight after doing everything to keep his youth center open. Finally, George financially returns. He trusted the wrong person to handle his finances but learned a valuable lesson and never pitied himself. The costume department did a tremendous job using archival photos to recreate George’s look. This attention to detail cemented the era. Also, Khris brings the nuances of the heavyweight champion to life through his physical appearance and iconic voice. While fans of the champ won’t learn anything new, this movie is worth a big-screen viewing based on the performances alone.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

I was 28 years old when I died – George

Love you, George. Stick with it – Mom

I don’t want everything. I want you – Paula

You found Jesus Christ, George. I didn’t know he was lost – Muhammad Ali

I lost it – Desmond

Is that your handy work – Doc

It’s just a bag – Mary Joan

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Sisu – Review

Sisu – Budget of $6.7 million – 1 hour and 31 minutes

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During the Lapland war, a lone gold miner finds gold nuggets in his pan and cordons the area. He digs underground and finds a mound of gold. He breaks it into pieces and puts it in his bag. On the way to the bank, he crosses Nazis with a caravan, including a tank, liquor, and captured women. The Nazis consider shooting the old miner on horseback but leave him alone because he is heading to a Nazi checkpoint. When the miner arrives, the guards find his gold and attempt to kill him. But the miner brutally murders all but one of them and leaves with most of his gold. The caravan hears the gunshots in the distance and turns around. They find the dead guards and question the survivor. With his final breath, the guard tells them about the gold and dies. They pull a nugget from the guard’s body and decide to find the miner. Their leader, Bruno, knows the war will end soon, and the Allies will hang them for their crimes. Bruno believes the gold will help them buy their way to freedom. Bruno sets out to kill the miner and take his gold. They catch up to the miner in a minefield and find a dog tag. They uncover that the miner is a Winter War veteran and legend, Aatami. Aatami is an unhinged, one-person death squad. One of the enslaved women, Aino, knows the tale of the immortal one. Aino knows Aatami refuses to die because he has Sisu. Bruno doesn’t let Aino’s warning stop him. He wants the gold at any cost.

This film combines John Wick with history, told in seven chapters. As a warning, be ready for gruesome violence. Viewers will see the effects of a man shot in the head, living entities stepping on a landmine, and sexual assault. Don’t be surprised if you must look away from the screen and cringe. Also, this movie depends heavily on the action to narrate the story. The lead character doesn’t speak until the end of the film. You must be on time because the opening crawl explains the meaning of Sisu and Aatami’s backstory. This film is entertaining for a one-time watch in theaters but not for the faint of heart.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

Pick me – Aino

Bills. Big ones. Please – Aatami

No, we’re not turning back – Bruno

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