Tyson: The Movie [2008] [DVD]

Great movie about a boxing legend which shows how external factors can affect the career of someone who was an amazing boxer but got distracted by sex drugs and rock'n'roll

"Tyson" is a brutal and compelling documentary film about the life of controversial boxer Mike Tyson. The film consists of a collection of recent interviews with Mike Tyson mixed in with highlights of his fights and stock footage from news broadcasts concerning the more controversial moments of his life and career.
During the film Tyson speaks in depth about his childhood in Brownsville, his criminal activities during his adolescent years, his relationship with his trainer Cus D'Amato, his failed marriges, his children, his debts, his numerous fights and his hopes for the future.
All in all this documentary offers a unique insight into the mind of one of the most revered and controversial athletes of all time. But the real treat is in the extras. Boxing fans, such as myself, who grew up watching Tyson's fights will be thrilled to know that there is approximately four hours of ESPN's re-runs of Tyson's fights and some classic post fight interviews.

This is not as good as the other reviews indicate, at least not in my opinion anyway. It is a decent enough documentary but not worth the acolades it has been recieving. The structure of this film is too fragmented and I was hoping for a more indepth look at Tyson's career. Instead; this films starts with a painfully long monologue from Tyson about his upbringing, his school days and then his introduction into the sport of boxing. Sadly this film is too brief when it comes to Tyson's rise through the ranks and his jounrey to his first world title. Too little time is devoted to his first title reign and his first defeat. The second part of his career after his release from jail is also not sufficiently detailed at all. The film concentrates too much on Tysons defeats and not enough on his many victories and two separate title reigns.

What this film lacks on Mikes boxing career, is over-compensated for with Tyson's characteristics and complex personality. He is certainly up front on many issues although he comes across as someone who is only telling the truth as he likes to see it. The way the film is produced and edited makes Tyson look like a mentally unstable person which obviously is quite close to the truth. At times his frankness harms the way he comes across. Despite denying the rape allegations with anger and passion; his frank views on sexuality and women in general leaves little doubt about the truth. Honestly at times he comes across as a sexual deviant well capable of rape and violence against women. Despite this there are times during this documentary you do feel sorry for Tyson. He is a very complex individual. Is he a victim of circumstance or just a monster? Maybe a little of both.

Full marks for Tyson's frankness and the films production although its hard to see how Tyson comes across in this. Its not exactly a flattering protrayal. Truth be told,; this film doesnt try to judge Tyson and for that reason I have to respect this approach as It leaves you to draw your own conclusions.

Good documentary, but nothing as good or indepth as it should have been.