TV REVIEW: MIKE - Miniseries

4/5

I Am Iron Mike.

8 Episodes. Starring: Trevante Rhodes, Russell Hornsby, Laura Harrier, Li Eubanks, Grace Zabriskie & Harvey Keitel. Created By: Steven Rogers. 

"Jamie Foxx is going to play me!" That's what the champ Mike Tyson told the microphones eight years ago, but by the 'Moonlight' of eight episodes later on Hulu and Disney +, many wonder why it's 'The United States vs. Billie Holiday' and 'Bird Box' actor Trevante Rhodes instead. Never fear, there's still a movie come TV series produced by Martin Scorsese and directed by 'Training Day's' Antoine Fuqua coming out the Foxxhole of the man with the greatest impression of everybody...let alone Iron Mike. This biopic on the Baddest Man on the Planet is just something else. Jamie is no stranger to this type of cinematic conflict. His 'White House Down' Channing all over your Tatum came out in the same Summer as his 'Law Abiding Citizen' co-star Gerard Butler's 'Olympus Has Fallen'. Director Fuqua, himself on Hulu, also gave us the 'Legacy' of a Los Angeles Lakers documentary this year after many of the purple and gold (especially the logo) were lost on HBO's 'Winning Time'. Jerry West even vowing to take his case to the most supreme of courts. 

Hulu's creed of the controversial champion who courts many a story (please, just let him be on a plane like anybody. Unless you want that infamous social media quote about getting punched in the face to come Chris Rock and Will Smith true) has lit a fire under Kid Dynamite. "They stole my life story", Tyson says of 'Mike' that didn't pay him, practically taking his money like Don King (played here perfectly by the great Russell Hornsby like Mykelti Williamson (that's right, Bubba) in Will Smith's 'Ali'). "Don't let Hulu fool you", the real Mike added on Instagram, asking if this was 1822. This needs to be taken into account, even though 'Mike' from creator Steven Rogers (no, not that one, Cap) is actually a brilliant biopic series that bleeds for this. Just days before he died, the late, great Notorious B.I.G. rapped on 'Victory' with Puff Daddy, "brawl nights, I perform like Mike. Anyone, Tyson, Jordan, Jackson." Years later his friend Cam'ron would one-up rap, "career's over, like Mike. Anyone, Tyson, Jordan, Jackson. It's over, man." This bruising biopic in the same bloody vein is what happens when the American dream wakes up to the red, white and blue's worst nightmare. 

The blades of glory of 'I, Tonya' brings the team behind the Margot Robbie (serving as an executive producer here) Harding movie back from the ice (Cap?) and onto a whole new artistic canvas that still cuts like above the left eye. Offering no TLC for Tyson or cancel culture crowds for a series as controversial as fittingly the glows it portrays. Pulling no punches, this is a knockout that packs a wallop and goes the distance with all those clichés. But it's anything but that in its fourth wall breaks (the best being saved for last in response to the ramblings of a "Don") and dynamic direction. Formidable fights showcase the best boxing this side of 'Rocky' since Mann raged like a bull. One moment sees a partying up Mike, losing his mind, getting knocked out whilst still wearing his leopard skin bathrobe. Way to spill a man's drink. And what a man's drink to spill. 

Yep, the tiger is here, as are the pigeons, facial tats and ears that weren't lent to you. As is the great Harvey Keitel in his best in years, Grace Zabriskie by his side and 'Homecoming' Spider-Man, 'BlackKklansman' and Netflix 'Hollywood' star Laura Harrier, great as Robin Givens, giving it her all. But it's Li Eubanks as Desiree Washington and the critical, incredible 'Desiree' episode that lets the woman who refused to be a victim have her say. Groundbreaking and anything but hero worshipping, despite its real relevance in the rest of the mesmerizing miniseries of 90s excess in gilded ring and mental cage, round after round. Remember, Washington never sold her story and remained private after the rape case against Mike Tyson closed and ended in a prison sentence. "You still love me", the fallen champ asks us directly after the incident. You might find it hard to watch after this mid-point. But, this is all of Mike if you want the story from both corners. 

The gloves may be off. Buy even Mike must admit that Trevante is terrific as Tyson (especially as even a massive Foxx fan like myself can). 'The Predator' and '12 Strong' actor is more than built for this position and profession, but Rhodes is also a scholar of true thespians too. Even if Mike would struggle to say that. Trevante Rhodes more than thinks he can play Mike Tyson, too, as he gives his subject all the no holes barred and deep character study respect, every man or woman deserves. The lisp is on point, not comical. This show is seriously funny, but doesn't make funny business out of what is serious, either. Jamie, take note. That man may nail the nuance of every mannerism, but watch Rhodes grace the Las Vegas stage here as the master of ceremony of residencies for his own showstopper, and you'll see he feels his way through as Tyson in every move. "I am Iron Mike" this marvel may as well say as he clicks his fingers from flicked punches like a slithering snake bite in jab, to the graceful way this stinging butterfly moves his fingers like straightening out a skirt when taking to the stage and telling his story. A perfect life imitating art and back again, juxtaposition in the brutal poetry of boxing. Study the real Tyson, to see this is on point, like the blows he used to land when he ruled boxing after Ali and before the money of Mayweather. This really is 'Mike'. Unauthorized, but undisputed. Until the Foxx enters the ring. K.O. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'I, Tonya', 'Bleed For This', 'Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers'.