‘The Fire Inside’ Reviews Land Knockout Rotten Tomatoes Rating

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As a seasoned moviegoer who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless boxing dramas, I must admit that “The Fire Inside” has left me utterly spellbound. Having spent my formidable years watching the gritty realism of Rocky Balboa and the raw passion of Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull, I can confidently say that this Amazon production is a worthy contender for future classics.

There’s nothing quite like a good boxing drama, especially one based on a true story. While Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky is a timeless dose of adrenaline, and Raging Bull is one of Scorsese’s best, Amazon’s latest offering could be a future classic. The Fire Inside, starring Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree Henry, Judy Greer, and Jessica Grossi, tells the story of Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields, arguably the most famous and accomplished female boxer of all-time.

Leading up to the December 25th release of “The Fire Inside”, early reviews have been pouring in online, and they’re nothing short of impressive. Critics are hailing it as a formidable competitor for one of the greatest boxing movies ever made. With an astounding 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this film has left quite an impression. Although it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year, more recent reviews have surfaced, and they’re equally captivating. Courtney Small of That Shelf writes, “The Fire Inside offers a heartfelt and compelling portrayal of one of boxing’s all-time greats, drawing inspiration from the indomitable spirit that continues to burn within.

In tracing Claressa Shields’ path to the Olympics, The Fire Inside delves deeply into her personal life, emphasizing that even an Olympic gold medal wouldn’t halt the flow of everyday life. This was a point echoed by Richard Crouse in his review, stating:

The Fire Inside offers a unique spin on sports movies, delving beyond the typical victorious narrative to explore the hidden costs associated with both success and failure.

‘The Fire Inside’ Is Setting Up a Knockout

This year at the Toronto International Film Festival, “The Fire Inside” was first screened and garnered numerous favorable reviews. Our very own Murjani Rawls from MovieWeb attended the festival. They gave the film a rating of 3.5 out of 5, describing it as “a remedy for the ordinary sports biopic.” In their review, they stated:

[Ryan Destiny’s] performance, combined with the raw authenticity of the narrative, positions The Fire Inside as a refreshing contrast to conventional sports biopics that often gloss over the discomfort or sorrow associated with triumph. Instead, it encourages us to view Shields and Crutchfield not just as victorious athletes, but as real individuals navigating life beyond their wins.

As a dedicated cinephile, I wholeheartedly concur with Benjamin Lee from The Guardian’s assessment of “The Fire Inside.” This film masterfully explores the complexities of determination and desire, leaving me both inspired and exasperated. It’s a cinematic journey that lifts you up and then pulls you down, providing its two main actors with a challenging emotional rollercoaster ride.

Despite following many typical elements in its narrative about Shields’ quest for Olympic gold, this film stands out by incorporating realistic, everyday details and a heartfelt understanding similar to what director Jenkins displayed in his Academy Award-winning movie, Moonlight.

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2024-12-24 20:01