The director has once again managed to make a wonderful movie with good people. I liked it very much.

His true colors are revealed without any acts that he puts on when he is with his family and kids. Touching.

How hardworking is he? Learned many good personalities from him. Respectful movie

He was real different breed

Loved this. Amazing footage of Tyson in his prime, breathtaking in the power and speed. In prison at 12, life turned around by boxing, world champion at 20, then his mentor dies and he seemingly goes off the rails, an 8 month marriage to Robin Given, jail time for rape of Desiree Washington with some of the most brutal assessment of prison time that you will hear, everyone swindles him including Don King who he ends up assaulting. Interesting fact - the face tattoo is Maori. Couldn't help thinking when listening to him that he sounded like a child, possibly the blows to the head, although the words and the analysis were certainly there.

Raw and cringeworthy. On one hand, it's amazing what this man accomplished in the ring, and great that the sport afforded him the opportunity. But, on the other hand, it just showed how exploitive the sport of boxing. Tyson was and is mentally and emotionally unstable. It's a wonder that Tyson didn't end up dead on the street or in prison for life. Here it is, the year 2020, and we'll see how Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr turns out.

Mike is and was a scary man!

When the singer Jewell just broke out, and was suddenly famous, I went to see her at the 930 Club in Washington DC. Afterward, a friend and I went backstage. My friend's brother was promoting her tour. When we got back there, there were like 35 people--not even fans, just these people who had *access* and who were greedy and starving to be near Jewell--to have photos with her, telling her to stand here, and hold this, and make this expression, and people putting their arms around her and making her put her arms around them, and hold objects they'd brought with them, and made her repeat over and over these stupid plugs about local businesses and radio stations that were being recorded---all of these people so pleased with themselves and each other. After the onslaught she went to the back of the room and faced the wall. Just stood there--it was this primitive response, like, "if I can't see them maybe they don't exist." It was like a cornered animal who was so traumatized and so trapped it didn't even have the choice of fight or flight. We had our chance to talk to her, but I didn't want to. My friend's brother was like "No, no, you should say hi to her!" So, reluctantly, the narcissistic PR tribe having cleared out, when Jewell turned around I thanked her and and told her something simple and true about her music and didn't expect or want anything (even a thank you) in return, which seemed to please her and be a little bit nourishing. I mention that because something similar happened re: Mike Tyson. In 2017, I was boarding a plane in Vegas, standing in First Class waiting for the people ahead of me to stow their bags in overhead. I idly glanced to my left and saw that unmistakable tattoo and was shocked---because I'd been thinking of something totally mundane like I wish I'd worn different shoes and boom there's Mike Tyson's face 16" away from me. He saw me see/recognize him, and his face registered the same vulnerability and trapped panic I saw in Jewell. He did look like a Maori warrior and at the same time like an unprotected 3-year-old child in a dangerous situation. I felt so sorry for him--empathized intensely--and looked away as casually as possible and forced myself to start thinking of my shoes again, so he could sense I wasn't about to stan him. I'd been intrigued by him since seeing him in the film Black and White, and always sensed he was fragile, confused, and complicated, but seeing him in person in an unguarded moment on both of our parts, drove all that home in an instant. This film captures all that. I almost wanted to look away, because it's so private, and I wanted to spare him from himself--from revealing so much of himself, and in such honest, jumbled, contradictory, delusional, unstable, unguarded, confused, hopeful ways. The film is wonderfully made----it may be disconcerting at a visceral level to have split screens of Tyson echoing himself, agreeing with himself, contradicting himself; but I think that technique was absolutely the right choice for the film because you see that not that Mike Tyson is mercurial in an attempt to be illusive, but because his own perceptions keep slipping and skipping around like a dusty stylus on vinyl. Sometimes his mind is clear and somewhat linear and other times his own mind is whipping Tyson hither and thither and he has no choice ability to stop or tame it. Seeing this movie gave me so much insight into him. I feel very sad for him---he has excellent insights as well as "black-outs" into himself, his motivations, feelings, abilities. We all have that but he is far more extreme than most. Excruciatingly hard on himself in some ways, believing himself never to be able to measure up to ideals, and on the other hand completely clueless and cavalier and grandiose. His former wife called him out on being bipolar on the Barbara Walters' show, as we see in this film, and as soon as she said that I thought "Bingo---that totally makes sense." He pooh-poohs it, but also says plainly and honestly that he is, and has been at different times, completely insane, out of his mind. He also says he either has to be on top of the mountain or underneath the ocean---the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He doesn't understand the "in between," and he doesn't like the in between--which is just what bipolar people say. And yet toward the end he 1/2 yearns for having a normal calm family life...but only 1/2....because he knows he can't (our at least couldn't in 2008 when this film was made) actually live in the "in between" of normal life. As said, in summary, the film made me sad, but appreciative that it was made. It is a beautiful movie in that it is utterly warts and all, and doesn't try to manufacture a tidy narrative. There is no tidy narrative of Mike Tyson. And I'm grateful for having had the opportunity to see that laid bare. Tyson says he trusts no one; however, it would require great bravery to allow this film to be made and released, and he did it. So Tyson seems to have trusted the filmmaker and himself enough for this film to exist. And for that, I'm really thankful.

A revealing and inspirational look into the heart and mind of a great fighter, his motivations and insights, challenges and struggles.

Some highlights, but also a lot of mindless chatter

This is what happens when a rich young NBA player funds the open forum ramblings of an egomaniacal sociopath. It's one of the worst documentaries I've ever seen and doesn't belong in the same category.

If you were to see this biopic of Mike Tyson, you would have to be a person totally comfortable with a film full of vulgarity, a bitter tone full of resentment, hurt, loss and possibly,not even a chance at self redemption. And even with all of these traits, Tyson,delivers a movie that depicts the harsh realities of addiction, fame and self worth in a such an impressive tale, it's hard not to love its melancholy. The film starts with Tyson's very first championship bout against Trevor Berbick. As it continues, you see the sheer brutality of Tyson's trademark brutality. He decimates Berbick in the first round and becomes the youngest person to win the Heavyweight championship. This is significant, because it a type of foreshadowing, completely raw in how depicts what is supposed to be Tyson's road to success, achievement and security. The sick irony is that it does the complete opposite. As film goes on, you see a descending path of darkness, one that is arguably something Tyson is comfortable with. He calmly, eloquently and truthfully details the events of his life to the extent the audience builds either a deep sympathy for him or an admiration about the self awareness he has now about the way his fame as a boxer helped propel his near destruction, pushing the road pain, a question of self worth and unadulterated rage that he would continue use while fighting. He also remarks on something that would be completely disturbing to the average person and fascinating to a few, that being the mindset of going in and inflicting bodily harm on another human being. When he was partaking in this barbaric chess, he loved it, the thought of punishing another human being and crushing his soul gave all the motivation in the world to step in that ring and almost always a psychological edge over his opponents. When you truly watch this film, you come to either two conclusions. That Tyson is a manic depressive animal that is bordering on being a psychopathic sociopath. Or you come to the understanding that he is a misunderstood individuals who flirted and has been enamored with every considerably every dark facet of life and has a deep awareness of his circumstances and responsibilities in coherence with those circumstances. This film does him justice in that aspect and should be appreciated no matter how dark or unfortunate the narration is. -- Nick Borne

A well crafted piece and an interesting way to view this deeply flawed man's life. As a subject he is a good choice, the rags to riches to rags tale was always worthy a soap opera, so handled in a less astute way could have been really unwatchable.

Self realization & Growing up wiser. Growing up in the kill or be killed neighborhoods of Brooklyn, teased, taunted, humiliated and embarrassed on the streets, Tyson was molded into fighter. Stories of the streets, poverty, drugs dealings, pigeons, hoodlums, and jail time. Meeting his manager, teaching about distractions, spirituality building confidence. Having this criminal mentality conflict and struggle, while being managed and coached to use the skill in the boxing ring. Started winning Championships amateur level, turned his life over. mentally dismentaling him, and follow his direction. Deep emotion for the manager whom believed in him, and got him out of trouble. ferocious fighter in the ring, disciplined, dangerous to cross, never intimidated, never to live with the fear of being bullied. Would never start a fight, but love channeling that intensity, power in the boxing ring. (Cosd'amato) High expectations to be the Heavy Weight Championship Feeding the fire feel the flames. watching constantly old boxing matches, ferorisity, dedication, character, in the greats (Ali, Marciano, dempsey). Having the right people at your corner, manager/guardian and woman. "Burning like a Good Humor in July"- The anticipation and yearning to put "leather on face" with every punch. celebrity champion from around the world, meeting leaders and parades held for him, merchandising and advertising. Having a fighting mindset to punch so hard it goes right through their head. Speed and accuracy of the devil. My job was to hurt people. As soon as I come in the in know how to defeat them psychologically, feeling the leather piercing through my knuckles, I know how to defeat them, closer to the ring the more confident, godly and unbeatable, all eyes on the opponent. Waiting for any small mistake, capitalize and break their spirit. Undisputed greatest fighter mentality. Uncontrollable urges, away from the camera and in control in front of the camera. Champion in the ring, unstable out the ring personal life, unbalanced atmosphere, hectic, beastly, chaotic, his domain, his control, his expectations. Defeats came with being unprepared, overconfident, untrained and his personal lifestyle got to him. - first loss to Buster Douglas Downward spiral of mentality with the loss of wife, manager, and rape allegations. Hard to trust again. lost faith in god, treated badly in prison, challenged how tough guy he really was. The derrangement, insanity, going through his mind. Went from extreme Muslim use of hatred to the world to more humble islam. Found inspirations in Mao and Che, got tattoos. Different atmosphere, more hated, feeling paranoia, lashing at people. Regained title to loses it again. "Leaches" of whom surrounded him, money loss and indorsements etc. Blacked Out- I don't remember, Undisciplined fight uncontrollable urge of insanity to hurt- holyfield vs Tyson 2. (ear biting).- loss his boxing license. they call me trash, let them call me trash, I'll be a angelic trash. Relentless, won't be knocked down We are like mercenaries we need that money, when we need to throw down we throw down. Mike Tyson vs Kevin McBride- loss & retirement I don't have it in my stomach anymore, I am not an animal anymore, tired if fighting. Addictions & void.

Really fascinating look at a man who has more depth than one might otherwise think.

absolutely incredible! the man is far from perfect, definitely was fucked up. but he completely opens up and you learn heart breaking things about what hes been through, which kinda makes you understand why he did things he did. this documentary is so captivating its a journey through Mike's life and the man has been through some horrible shit and all the way the making of the movie. He admits to being a not so great person in the past and I admire him for changing.

There can be such a thing as TOO personal and inside. I'm not sure the trip inside the psyche of Iron Mike is something most should take

Have to say this is a very good documentary on one of the greatest ever sportsman. Straight from the horses mouth you get an insight of all his great fights (even the infamous Holyfield match), plus other aspects of his life.... which I have to say a couple of them he could have kept to himself. Still overall if you want to find out about one of the top 3 boxers of all time, you have to watch this.

O documentário de 2009 sobre o grande pugilista do seu tempo é uma espécie de "Tyson on Tyson" que aparentemente não teme revisitar algumas partes mais obscuras da vida do homem. Fica mais clara a ideia de que todos os murros que Tyson deu no ringue foram-lhe depois devolvidos na vida pessoal, mas tudo neste discurso leva a crer que Mike Tyson hoje está em paz consigo mesmo (e, se aparece na praia tranquilamente a ver o pôr-do-sol e as ondas, isso só pode ser verdade). As imagens dos combates históricos são, como seria de esperar, electrizantes, e um dos grandes momentos de "Tyson" acontece quando ele menciona "Portugal" e manda um grande gafanhoto para o ar.

This is what happens when a rich young NBA player funds the open forum ramblings of an egomaniacal sociopath. It's one of the worst documentaries I've ever seen and doesn't belong in the same category.