Manny (2014)

In this documentary, directed by Leon Cast & Ryan Moore of 1995's 'When We Were Kings' fame, we, the audience got to witness the best scenes from Pacquiao's most memorable fights. The facts of the documentary is very accurate in terms of sporting. It doesn't hide, the fact that Manny Pacquiao did lose, some fights. Despite the outcome of the matches being known, the film was still able to insert suspense and proper tension. I just wish, they didn't use, later boxing commentary for earlier boxing matches. It was bit, misleading. I didn't like how, they made boxing seem crude sport, while glosses over shadier aspects of the boxing world, as well. If you going to say, something about the sport, you might as well, put all your cards into it. I love, how the movie slow-down the historic footage, so that the hits have more impact to those who are watching this film. The film is narrated by Liam Neeson, who commands over the film. His timbre of his voice makes this, very good. The movie also does well with its amazing cinematography and editing. The mixer of both on-location shots, interviews and archival historic footage was used wisely. The musical scoring and editing are extraordinary. They elevate the documentary to high levels. We are swept along with every high and low of Manny's wonderful boxing career. This makes this film, a very well-made documentary. Still, it wanders around way too much on his boxing career, and not enough on his personal life. It really seem to lacks focus. This film feels more like hagiographic than a biographic, due it's one-sided, bias approach to story-telling. The movie doesn't make boxer Manny Pacquiao seem, like a flesh out character. It portray him, as this one-dimensional, all-out, boy-scout type of a guy. Yes, Manny Pacquaio is indeed, a hero, but we, the audience, need to see him, more like a human being, than saint-like. The film needs, to explore Manny Pacquiao's more grey side and his killer-like instincts. We need to know, why Manny Pacquaio chose to go into boxing, besides helping his family. The film doesn't even, bother mentioning the death of a young aspiring boxer and close friend, Eugene Barutag. It needs to talk about, the negative side of boxing and how corrupt, it is. This movie barely, mention how Manny felt, about the business. The movie doesn't show, how Manny's new-founded fame, has cause him, to act out, more. We never got to understand the mindset, in which, at the time, Manny was going through, when his popularity was indeed, rising. We don't know why, he risk his marriage with womanizing, drinking and heavy gambling, between the periods of his life, when his focus on his faith was in its lowest. We don't even, know how Manny Pacquiao met his wife, Maria Geraldine "Jinkee" Jamora, and why they feel in love. The film doesn't bother, mentioning, the steroid allegations against him, or his legal problems. It often shows Manny Pacuqiao doing charity events, or helping his country, but it doesn't show, why. Some of the metaphors such as Manny as a "fighter" who fought for the pride of his country and now will fight for the people of the Philippines feel a bit forced. It seem more like an extended political campaign video ad, than anything else. It needed more conflict, and drama, so that this documentary about a man who overcame insurmountable odds to become one of the most loved and respected boxers of all time would been more engaging. We want to see, why his redemption was needed. We want see him, to have success, but for this rags to riches Cinderella story, to work. You have to get a little dirty. While, the movie lacks in some things, it really success in others. The movie is very entertaining. The movie make jags at how laughable, Manny Paquiao's singing and acting career has gone. There was also a quick montage of his multiple product endorsements locally and abroad, many of which, a lot of fans have not seen before. The celebs interviewers that the movie bring in, for this, wasn't really needed, but they do, give some interesting information about the boxer. Most of all, Mark Walberg's thoughts on the way, how Manny Pacquiao's enter a fight. He brings up the fact that Manny is always smiling. Some of the most emotions scenes in the film are the ones, with his coach, Freddie Roach. You see them, as more than student and mentor. You see a father and son type, they love each other and it's shown in great detail, how much, they care for each other. I love how, we see what a hectic schedule Manny had, put himself, through and why the decline in his skills due to being unfocused leading up to the Marquez KO. The movie doesn't hide, the fact, that this redemption arch has hurt his boxing career. Most of all, I love how, Manny's philosophical thoughts with such lines, like "God knows best". That was indeed, powerful. The movie feels like a motivational video at times. The movie is bit dated, even for an early 2015 released. The movie makes it seem that a Floyd Mayweather fight will probably not going to happen, but it kinda happen, a few months later. Still, it's not the film's fault. Overall: It's a good documentary. I just wish, it was a little better, and more open-minded to showing a more complex side to Pacquaio. It's a must-watch for any boxing fan.

Great video for insight into Pacquiao's mentality and background....a real flavour of life for the ordinary people of the Philippines...giving 'hard times' a whole new face.The curious content is that sacked conditioning coach Ariza is portrayed as just as much of a friend or even more so than trainer Freddy Roach, that he's given so much of a voice in the film which derides some of the key people around Manny, then implications are made that Arum is largely responsible for the Floyd-PAC fight not taking place so far....Arum is featured (in a clip so short and edited it could easily be out of context)saying that this fight is not needed and will never take place.Then he's also featured saying that the Mayweathers have been responsible for the breakdown.....All of this whilst Floyd's contradictions of which there have been many were left alone.Koncz is also brought into question by Ariza as was Arum but Ariza is never once portrayed in a negative light, Roach is shown giving him the 'best conditioning coach in the world' accolade in a statement and a journalist is shown saying that Ariza was responsible for Pac gaining more power...which is pure speculation as Pac was KO'ing guys well before Ariza arrived.Pacquiao is shown to behave as if he thought Marquez won their third fight in a heavily edited post fight press conference clip while Marquez is shown clearly stating that he won the fight which echoed the sentiments of the HBO commentators....when in actuality sports commentators around the globe were divided 50/50 over the outcome of the fight........ it's a curious choice of angles and makes me wonder if PAC had ultimate approval of the director's cut.

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...)

Manny appeared to be well-received in its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival. The film is certainly informative for those of us who haven't followed Manny Pacquiao's multi-faceted career carefully. His story of his rise from a hut in an obscure Philippine village to international superstar is a truly impressive rags-to-riches tale. He has managed to successfully leverage his boxing career to move into other arenas including acting, music, religion, product endorsement and most intriguingly now politics. His determination and hard work are extremely impressive as he has risen to become a transcendent figure in the Philippines. The film has a bit too much footage of too many fights and lacks in-depth analysis of who the man behind the fighter really is. The film often strays from documentary into hagiography so that it doesn't feel like a truly objective presentation. It comes off more like an extended campaign biography for his future political career as his boxing career is winding down. Some of the metaphors such as Manny as a "fighter" who fought for the pride of his country and now will fight for the people of the Philippines feel a bit forced. It is difficult to tell if his recent focus on his faith reflects a genuine transformation away from his past sinful ways - drinking and womanizing - or a political tool to enhance his future political career. The film remains informative and entertaining, but needs to be taken with several grains of salt.