Manny

I agree with the comments from JustCuriosity.

The documentary film is understandably biased and tries to win over viewers by tugging at their heart strings. After watching it, I did some reading up and realized that the facts are not as rosy as this title makes it out to be. The documented facts, about why the Mayweather Jr fight did not happen, were not fully revealed. Many viewers will rain glory on the title character but I came out wondering why he is still risking his life, after having achieved what no-one else has achieved, when he has a wife and 5 children. I see only an innocent teenager who has been corrupted by fame, wealth and greed as he grew up. The documentary also throws bad light on his Management and Promoter. But the best part was when the sports conditioner said that boxers are essentially chewed inside and out, and then tossed aside for the new.

I'm also amazed at why the title is released so late in the Phillipines (1 year after being released in USA...)

This documentary is about the life and career of Manny Pacquiao, probably the most famous Filipino celebrity the world over now. While we in the Philippines idolize him as our "National Fist," it would be very interesting to hear what other peoples have to say about him.

The film was narrated by Liam Neeson. It starts with Manny Pacquiao contemplating on why he boxes. Pacquiao mostly narrates his story in Filipino (with English subtitles). We learn that he joined fishermen when he was a poor boy growing up in Sarangani province. He credited that experience for developing his physical strength. From there, we will meet various people who have influenced his life and career.

Manny's mother Dionisia was restrained and sincere when she talked about his childhood. Too bad that would only be her only part in the film. His wife Jinkee had more participation, talking about their personal life. There was an obvious hesitation in some parts when she was going to say something negative, but that was understandable. Too bad there was no interview with his kids. It would have been good to know how he was as a father.

The bulk of this documentary will of course be about his boxing career. We will meet his uncle Sardo Mejia who taught 12 year old Manny about boxing. His childhood friend Buboy Fernandez was trained by Manny to be his assistant trainer. We will get to learn more about Freddie Roach, his own career, how they met and their present relationship. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and innovative conditioning coach Alex Ariza are also featured prominently. Former managers Rod Nazario and Michael Koncz were not so favorably mentioned.

We get to witness the best scenes from Pacquiao's most memorable fights. There was that 1995 match with a certain Rossel, Manny's first significant win that started him on his winning path. There was that match vs. Hussein in 2000, the first actual match Jinkee watched live, and she was six months pregnant then. His first match in the US, vs. Ledwaba, which Manny convincingly won despite being a longshot.

There were highlights of his matches with Barrera, Morales, Solis, Diaz, Marquez, dela Joya, Hatton (that chilling knockout), Cotto, Margarito (that unprecedented eighth world title), and Bradley (that controversial loss by decision). There was of course mention of the dream match which may never be, that elusive one vs. Floyd Mayweather.

We will also see Manny's forays into the entertainment scene. There were movies like "Wapak-Man" and "Anak ng Kumander", which did not exactly get good reviews nor good box office. There was his singing "Imagine" on TV with Will Ferrell. We see inside footage of Manny recording "Sometimes When We Touch" in Capitol Records, with no less than Dan Hill himself coaching him (which I found so funny). There was also a quick montage of his multiple product endorsements locally and abroad, many of which we have not seen before.

We will see his career in politics as congressman of the lone district of Sarangani. There were even predictions posed about a possible presidency. There was also footage from a prayer meeting where Manny was the motivational speaker. There were thoughts shared about how these other activities were affecting his boxing career.

The celebrities they interviewed were also interesting, from Mark Wahlberg to Imelda Marcos! It was heartening to hear testimonies of Manny's greatness from foreign boxing experts, how he is mentioned in the same breath as Muhammad Ali. It was not all roses and plaudits though, as his early financial problems (not yet the tax woes) and many vices were also brought up.

This must have been a nightmare to wade through all the footage and media appearances and edit it together into an inspiring and truly touching feature-length documentary such as this one. One of the directors is Leon Gast who won an Oscar in 1996 directing another documentary about boxing "When We Were Kings." That film was about the iconic Ali-Foreman "Rumble in the Jungle" match. The other director is a Fil-American Ryan Moore. This is Moore's first commercial film project.

I think "Manny" succeeds in its aim to craft a fair character study of a man who came from nothing, who pushed himself to achieve great things for himself and his whole country. This is a very well-made documentary feature, unexpectedly an emotional film which will move many to tears.

I am not a boxing fan but, I liked learning about manny pacquiao.It's great that he came from nothing and was able to make a name for himself in boxing.

He is a senator in the Philippines, a boxer, he likes to sing, he is married, has kids. I knew none of those things before I watched Manny.

I thought manny was a good overview of his life. It was worth the time I spent watching it. I am glad I got to learn somethings about a man I did not know much about.

At the end of the day, when all the die-hard fans have had their say, this film will be remembered mainly for introducing Manny to a wider audience.

Which, to be clear, is a very good thing.

I have seen a lot of boxing films, and attended a number of live fights. I do believe that Manny by his very example has added a new chapter to the history of the sport. His speed, power, accuracy, and ability to throw at angles that would mystify even a geometry teacher -- these are awesome skills to behold. And his willingness to move outside his weight class, time after time, bespeaks a heart bigger than Wyoming. If not for this film, I would never have seen all this, and for that I thank the film makers.

Which leaves the topic of the film itself. First, what is the yardstick? If you do the research you will find that more feature films (bipic and documentary) have been done on Ali than any other boxer. Fortunately for this review, I have seen them all.

How does Manny compare, as a film? Not very well, I am afraid. It wanders and it lacks focus.

If Manny boxed like the director of this film directed, he would have knocked out while still a teenager.

In fairness, with Ali, there was a natural story arc in the way the entire world gave up on him going into the Foreman fight, and Manny's story lacks that central theme.

That said, it is still a weakish film.

I did not have great expectations for this movie and I found myself immersed in watching it.

When I first started watching it, I thought it was another HBO boxing documentary but my feelings changed quickly in the first five minutes.

It does not just give you boxing but includes a very nice introspective on Manny the person from when he was growing up until his new perspective on life itself. Most people do not realize all the activities this man is associated with and the movie enables you to get a better perspective on the Pacman.

I really enjoyed it.

A hit in my books!