Wonderful Movie

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Good concept, poorly executed.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Opening with an intense sequence of highlights and lowlights from one of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao's many fights with Juan Manuel Marquez, the documentary film, Manny, hopes to quickly establish that in fighting, just as in life, things don't always go as planned. Within the opening moments, we see Manny Pacquiao, for whom the film is named, eat shot after shot. Then get dropped to the mat."If you're a fighter, truly a fighter, then you get back up."Those are the words of celebrity narrator Liam Neeson, setting the stage for the film's ultimate purpose: to establish Pacquiao as courageous, determined, and tough.He is most certainly that.Manny spends much of its 87 minutes showing the man behind the boxer who has held titles in eight different weight classes. Pacquiao hails from the humblest of beginnings. Raised in a hut in the war- torn Philippines by his mother, Pacquiao recounts how, "Sometimes we would go days without eating." To help his family, he dropped out in the sixth grade. By age 13, he realized he needed to do more to raise his family out of poverty—and so he snuck away from home to become a professional boxer.What sounds like the plot of a campy novel actually happened. The film shows footage of fight after fight in which a small, scrawny, teenage Pacquiao competes, dominating and then knocking out opponent after opponent.The name he builds for himself begins to grow, and with it his world.The highly entertaining film includes a chorus of voices from Pacquiao's life as he moved from the Philippines to the United States to pursue his boxing dreams. From his family, coaches, and trainers to sports journalists and even the celebrities who sought to be a part of his entourage, the film offers a wide variety of perspectives on Pacquiao. Hollywood stars Mark Wahlberg, Jeremy Piven, Jimmy Kimmel, and boxing greats like Evander Holyfield weigh in on Pacquiao's legacy and what makes him such a tremendous fighter and charismatic individual.In an enjoyable but clear marketing attempt to hype the then- unscheduled but highly clamored for Mayweather-Pacquiao superfight, Manny does much to charm the viewer into liking its star. Pacquiao is presented as a dedicated family man, a driven humanitarian, an adorably terrible singer (with singing aspirations!), and the victim of exploitation at the hands of crooked promoters. Meanwhile, Floyd Mayweather, whose role in the film is small, is portrayed as a WWE- style heel—an individual so self-interested and contemptible, that the viewer is forced to want Pacquiao to punch his face off.The overall film is a great ride: Manny is a popcorn documentary with a compelling story, some big stars, and a solid mix of action and humor. Whereas the documentary may fall short for die-hard fight fans, who might desire true insight into his Pacquiao's training habits or technique (and will find little of that here), the casual sports fan will likely be satisfied with the story of a boy who came from nothing but fought his way to fame and fortune.

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.

Greetings again from the darkness. Growing up in extreme poverty in the Civil War-torn Philippines, sleeping in a hut made from coconut tree leaves, and working with fishermen as a young boy, Manny Pacquiao spent his childhood not dreaming of becoming a world champion boxer and celebrity, but rather wondering if there would be food to eat on any given day. This background is probably what inspired co-directors Ryan Moore and Leon Gast (Oscar winner for When We Were Kings) to focus less on Manny's personal flaws and more on his extraordinary road to success.Opening with Michael Buffer's familiar "Let's get ready to rumble", the film does exactly that. Obviously much of the film highlights Manny's boxing career, beginning as an extremely young fighter with a slight build and carrying through to his record-setting titles in 8 weight classifications, but it also does an admirable job of helping us get to know the man behind the fame.As Pac-Man finds more success in the ring, we witness the exponential growth of the circus environment – his training camp, the media onslaught, the endorsements, the lousy movies, his re-discovery of religion, and his political aspirations. We meet his cutting edge fitness trainer Alex Ariza and his long-time boxing trainer and friend (and former boxer) Freddie Roach. Freddie's story is probably worthy of its own documentary, as he trained under his mentor, the legendary Eddie Futch, and blames his Parkinson's Disease on staying in the game a few fights too long.The film acknowledges, but only in a cursory manner, the dark side of boxing. Manny's first two managers are blamed for some of his early financial woes, as is his business adviser Michael Koncz … and promoter Bob Arum is certainly a guy who deserves a bit more scrutiny. Questionable decisions in key matches are mentioned, but no further investigative reporting is offered … handled just as the sport itself does. This hole would be less obvious had not so much of the film focused on Manny's boxing career.We get a taste of Manny's charm and appeal. Actor and fight fan Mark Wahlberg makes a great observation in his interview, as he points out that Manny's entry into the ring for a fight is filled with smiles and waves … as if he had not a care in the world. But then once he steps into the ring, he can "flip the switch" and find the focus to fight his fight. We also see Manny on talk shows, and in a truly priceless sequence, we go into the recording studio as Manny sings "Sometimes When We Touch" … while being mentored by the song's original singer/songwriter Dan Hill.The film does nice work in letting us see Manny make the move into politics – he's now a twice elected representative in his hometown Sarangami province. There is also footage of him in his ministry as he confesses to a sinful past left behind in favor of his family and clean living. Some of the interviews with Jinkee (his wife) are the most emotional moments in the film. Along the way, we are privy to some of Manny's philosophical thoughts: "Loss is a reminder of what's important in life", and when times are tough, "You get back up. You fight again". Manny's talent has etched his place in boxing history, but his approach to life is what contrasts him from many other great fighters like Floyd Mayweather (whose brief appearances flash enough ego to turn anyone's stomach). That hut in the Philippines may be long gone, but the film shows us that Manny is here to stay.

The Documentary is one of the best i have seen for awhile... the story is happening right before our eyes. Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao was born on December 17, 1978 in Kibawe, Bukidnon in Mindanao here in the Philippines. Born of a typical poverty-stricken Filipino family, at the age of 12, without a father. He was forced to work and provide for his family who sometimes have no food for the whole day. Manny Pacquiao left elementary school when his father left his mother to be with another woman. As an out of school boy, he helped his mom by selling breads and home made doughnuts peddling the streets of General Santos City.As a young boy, Manny had his interests in boxing already. When not wandering the streets to sell his merchandise, he would be seen visiting other nearby villages and towns to compete for boxing matches most especially during town fiestas for a reward of just P150 (~US$3) for winners and P100 (~US$2) for the loser. The money that he gets would be a great help for his mom to support their living expenses.Pacquiao started his professional boxing career at the age of 16 at 106 lbs. With his agility and power in boxing, he won a lot of boxing fights. One day, he got invited by one of the boxing personalities to go to Manila to hone his skills in boxing. He did not hesitate and asked the perimission of his Mother Dionisia who later on refused to give him her consent telling Manny that boxing is a brutal sport that can pose a lot of danger to his life. With his eagerness in boxing, Manny still went on and sailed to Manila to continue his training. This was the beginning of his legendary rise to greatness. which until this day never changed his friendly,humble,god fearing persona. the fame and fortune, which is a very,very hard to not to let it go in your head never changed him. He once said " in life, i have always been...a fighter"