Soul Power, as aptly and succinctly titled a movie as I have ever seen, takes you to a place where the discipline that produces great popular art is indistinguishable from the ecstasy that art creates.
James Brown, B.B. King, and a dazzling array of top African, Afro-Cuban, and African-American talent finally gets its own solo spotlight in Soul Power.
80
Empire
Empire
A real treat for fans of Ali and music alike.
80
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
Period pieces can be marvelous or musty, depending on the period, as well as the piece. Soul Power is marvelous.
75
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
What's infectious in Soul Power is the almost shocking optimism of its America-meets-Africa '70s world-beat vibe.
70
VarietyEddie Cockrell
VarietyEddie Cockrell
Joyously funky documentary.
70
Village Voice
Village Voice
Takes too long to get to the meat of its matter, but captivates once it does.
63
USA TodayClaudia Puig
USA TodayClaudia Puig
The concert footage is mesmerizing; the planning leading up to the show is pedestrian.
60
The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
While there's an awful lot to like about this infectious celebration of a remarkable event featuring some superb, larger-than-life performers at the top of their game, the enterprise comes across as a bit of a missed opportunity.