The Greatest on Prime Video is praised for its strong period production and performances but ultimately criticized for delivering a surface-level biopic that doesn’t delve into Muhammad Ali’s mindset or the deeper family dynamics. The show foregrounds Ali’s early years, his battles with racism, and his alliances with figures like Malcolm X, while balancing archival flair with contemporary music choices that occasionally feel out of place. While it benefits from credible casting and a sanctioned perspective as the first fully authorized scripted series about Ali, the storytelling largely follows familiar biopic beats and misses opportunities for sharper insight. The review suggests the project could have been more gripping and risk-taking, leaving room for more ambitious explorations in potential future seasons. It premieres on Prime Video with a sense of opportunity that the creators don’t fully realize.
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The Greatest traces Muhammad Ali’s trajectory from the Rome Olympics era (1960) to his 1964 Liston title fight, focusing on his relationships with family and civil rights allies, while hinting at a broader biographical arc that could extend in future seasons.
Critics highlight that the script often leans toward melodrama and a surface retelling, with key jaw-dropping moments—like moments of overt racism—feeling more clinical than visceral.
The production is noted for solid boxing sequences and convincing period detail, aided by casting including Jaalen Best as Ali and Omari Hardwick as Cassius Sr., with other contributors like Michael Ealy and Giovanni Ribisi in supporting roles.
A notable stylistic choice is the use of contemporary music in many scenes, a move tied to Roc Nation involvement, which earns mixed results by amplifying energy in boxing but occasionally clashing with the dramatic tone elsewhere.
Comparisons to landmark Ali works—such as the 2001 film Ali and various documentaries—underscore the risk of the biopic feeling safe or derivative, especially given Ali’s already extensively documented life.
Critics argue the series would benefit from deeper psychological access to Ali and his circle, suggesting the show remains too much like a detailed Wikipedia entry rather than a penetrating character study.
Despite its authorized premise and strong performances, The Greatest is described as a missed opportunity to go deeper into a sports icon’s inner life, though it remains a watchable entry with potential for future evolution.