# Jaalen Best impresses as Muhammad Ali in uneven biographical series

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-greatest-review-jaalen-best-gives-a-star-making-performance-in-amazons-uneven-but-impressive-muhammad-ali-series/
- Published: 2026-11-04T06:10:43+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T06:26:13+00:00
- Original publisher: The Hollywood Reporter
- Original article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/the-greatest-review-jaalen-best-amazon-muhammad-ali-1236746481/
- Topics: Celebrity, Entertainment, TV

## Key points

- Jaalen Best is the review’s standout as Cassius Clay.
- The authorised eight-episode series is ambitious but uneven.
- It places Ali’s rise against resistance from boxing and society.

## Summary

The review says Jaalen Best delivers a star-making performance as Cassius Clay, capturing his personality without simply imitating him. It finds Amazon’s authorised series ambitious and often impressive, while acknowledging that it is uneven and presents Ali sympathetically.

The eight-episode first season begins with Clay winning gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics and returning to Louisville intent on turning professional. His brother Rudy backs him, while his parents disagree over whether he is ready and who should manage him; trainer Angelo Dundee and heavyweight Sonny Liston also feature. The series explores how Ali’s race, religion and outspoken views put him at odds with established forces in boxing and America.

## Coverage

- [The Hollywood Reporter: Jaalen Best impresses as Muhammad Ali in uneven biographical series](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/the-greatest-review-jaalen-best-amazon-muhammad-ali-1236746481/)
- [Collider: Prime Video's Muhammad Ali Biopic 'The Greatest' Doesn't Do the Legend Justice | Review](https://collider.com/the-greatest-prime-video-review/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.