Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
Klitschko tells the captivating story of the boxing worlds most famous brothers: Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. From the socialist drill of their childhood in the Ukraine, and their first successes as amateurs, to their move to Germany and subsequent rise as international stars on the verge of holding the championship titles of all five boxing federations (Wladimir secured this with his unanimous World Boxing Association win against David Haye on July 2nd, 2011). Along the way they experience defeats and setbacks, low points and triumphant comebacks as well as conflicts with each other. Exciting conversations with companions and opponents, including the very first with the Klitschkos parents, give insight into their personal lives, plus never-before-seen footage of the draining preparations for a fight, and the spectacular boxing matches. Director Sebastian Dehnhardt composes an intimate and fascinating portrait of two exceptional athletes who are, before all else, brothers.
Klitschko is a competent and engaging sports documentary that benefits from remarkable access to its subjects and genuinely compelling archival fight footage. The narrative arc from Soviet-era Ukraine to global boxing dominance is inherently dramatic and well-structured. However, the documentary follows a fairly conventional biographical format — rise, setback, comeback — without pushing the form in particularly inventive ways. The cinematography is solid, mixing archival material with clean modern interview setups, though nothing visually distinctive. Acting is not applicable in the traditional sense; the subjects come across as earnest but somewhat guarded, limiting the emotional depth. The dual-subject sibling angle adds some novelty but the film ultimately plays it safe. The ending benefits from the real-world narrative timing of Wladimir's WBA win, lending it a satisfying culmination.