REVIEW: KING RICHARD

4/5

Richard The Serve. 

145 Mins. Starring: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew, Tony Goldwyn & Jon Bernthal. Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green. 

'Will' may be writing the memoirs of quite a Hollywood career, from Bel-Air to defending earth from the worst scum of the universe. But right now as his autobiography flies off the bookshelves quicker than a "WHOO", Smith's telling another story. About to have the last "HA, HA" with envelopes from the Academy addressed to him. Will Smith is the former most marketable movie king of Labour Day weekend ('Independence Day,' 'Men In Black'), who has recently been toiling around Netflix movies ('Bright') and comic-book ones (he was M.I.A. from this years 'Suicide Squad'), all whilst becoming a YouTube sensation like all the fresh princes and princesses of a new way to make money like you think cryptocurrency is (it's not when the house always wins. Save your actual earnings. And Bumble dates who are tens to this weak four, stop asking me if I Bitcoin). But here holding court as a man who has his own 78 page book like a manifesto or 'Jerry Maguire' mission statement (it's not a memo), Will's way widens his stance to Oscar territory again. This is his best movie of those gold dreams since 'The Pursuit Of Happyness' and that speech by the chain-link fence before sleeping in a toilet with his son made us all cry. Smith is getting it...period. After being beaten by Denzel's 'Training Day' for his prolific pugilist portrayal as 'Ali'. Just an incredible transformation for the only man who could possibly go toe-to-toe and wit-for-with the greatest for Michael Mann's mesmerizing movie of history that was sadly sanitised more than our hands right now, despite a magnificent Mario Van Peebles as Malcolm X. This is Smith's signature with a 'King Richard' lisp about to take the throne and make the fall his new home like when he was 'Legend'. Like he still is. Even getting a shout out from his old ride or die DC firing squad thanks to Sylvester Stallone's King Shark poster homage. Will was robbed for 'Concussion', possibly the most important sports movie of all-time. But now with this serve he's about to ace all that. 

'Be Alive' with pride like the beyhive for B as Beyoncé's affirming anthem closes the credits with the history making, televised revolution clips this cinematic journey has taken us to in destination. "Can't wipe this black off if I tried", this icon sings as two more show us how far they've come in instant replay. Venus and Serena Williams. Two of the GOAT's of tennis. Like Graf, Seles, Sampras, Agassi, Federer, Nadal. Nah! OUT! No none else comes close to them. Venus as a girl, going for the gold of World Number One. Serena watching on the sidelines being told by her father Richard Williams that he kept her there for a reason. Because one day they're going to say she's the greatest to play this GAME. And he was right. And we did. And we do. He believed before even them. Even before they were born. Taking his kids from Compton to the courts of a billion dollar industry that has more positions on the grass and clay than chess has pieces for these queen's gambits. Richard reigns despite bing told he can't afford these dreams. Despite his 78 page book being coffee table tossed aside before we get past the preface. He's told it takes million just to get someone to hold a racquet right like a violin. His chances are comparable to having two Mozarts under one roof. He just farts in the face of all that elitist entitlement not so subtley disgusting racism for these girls that are about to change the game like Tiger Woods for their emancipation. Others tell him he's got the next Michael Jordan, to which he corrects them with two fingers. Now the mouth of LaVar Ball speaking truth to power doesn't seem so stupid does it? With Lonzo Ball shooting the lights out as a Chicago Bull and little brother LaMelo even better, no longer courtside coming off a Rookie of the Year season in the NBA. But let's wait before we make THAT biopic center court. 

Because let this service be what you dart your head from side-to-side for right now. This is the Williams moment. And Smith like Richard knows that despite his crowning achievement, it's all about the girls. Before they were child star famous, eliciting BTS like screams from the crowds forming a backcourt congregation. 'Fences' and 'American Horror Story' star Sanniya Sidney is just out of this world as Venus. Whilst newcomer Demi Singleton is about to make her own name on first terms like Serena. They bring a commitment to both their craft and joy to the youth of life that makes both as believable as all they achieved and their fathers dream. This film even brings out the promise and potential of the lost Williams sister Tunde Price, played perfectly by Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew. Price tragically list her life to gang violence. At the time Compton rapper The Game would honor her in the live version of his classic 'Documentary' cut 'Dreams'. A stark reminder of the bullets and bloodshed that surrounded the balls they served as they were just trying to hit straight for their dream. One scene that has Smith's Richard taking abuse from men threatening to "run a train" (I pray you have no idea what that means) on both daughters and standing up for them, not running away like his father did is sobering and heartbreaking in its solidarity and influence of inspiration in the midst of ignorance from all corners. We can't honor this brilliant biopic from 'Monster and Men' director Reinaldo Marcus Green that finds its ranking next to the court groundbreaking double of the recent 'Borg vs. McEnroe' or 'Battle Of The Sexes' that honoured another game changer in Billie Jean King without doing the same for 'Ray' and 'The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3' star Aunjanue Ellis as Oracene 'Brandy' Price. She deserves her award like Smith like Brandy deserved her part to play in Venus and Serena's moment like Richard. Credit to the coaches too. Outfitted in sports sponsors and shorts that cut off the circulation so much like Richard you'll be asking for new balls please. Tony Goldwyn and that unmistakable voice from 'The Last Samurai' has some serious words of wisdom (and how about that McEnroe). Whilst the trademark energy of the real Jon Bernthal-no perfect 'Punisher'-steals the show with a 'stache like the man who improvised how to sell you that pen on 'The Wolf Of Wall Street'. Walking through his own party with DiCaprio like 'Catch Me If You Can' charisma and Kanye 'New Workout Plan' focus. But all in all, coming from California this is Smith's show and the sisters act. I find no fault with this smash. Like family, it's all love. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Battle Of The Sexes', 'Borg vs. McEnroe', 'The Pursuit Of Happyness'.