Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Ronnie Coleman is known as "The King" and for good reason. He is the 8x Mr. Olympia champion in the world of bodybuilding - sharing the world record for most Olympia wins. Now retired, he has undergone over 6 surgeries leaving him unable to walk without crutches but his desire to train like a pro bodybuilder has not dissipated. Exploring the history of his career as a bodybuilding legend and following his journey to recovery; for the first time ever discover the true man behind The King.
A compelling sports documentary that benefits from remarkable subject matter — Ronnie Coleman's story of unparalleled dominance and devastating physical decline is genuinely gripping. The narrative arc from peak athletic glory to surgical recovery gives the film emotional weight beyond typical bodybuilding hagiography. Cinematography is competent but unremarkable for the documentary genre. Acting scores low as it's a documentary and the on-camera presence of interviewees varies considerably. Novelty earns a modest above-average score because the specific juxtaposition of record-breaking achievement and catastrophic physical cost gives it a distinctive angle, though the overall format follows conventional sports documentary templates. The ending provides reasonable emotional closure around Coleman's indomitable spirit without being particularly revelatory.