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United Kingdom, China, Canada · 2016
1h 26m
Director Drea Cooper
Starring Claressa Shields
Genre Documentary
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This documentary follows 17-year-old Claressa "T-Rex" Shields in her quest to become an Olympic gold medalist boxer in 2012, the first year the games included women's boxing. Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, Shields perseveres through trials inside and outside of the ring as she pursues this groundbreaking achievement.
While the narrative is familiar — athlete from rough background trains fiercely, with the sport as a means of salvation — directors Zackary Canepari and Drea Cooper make sure the story is all Shields's, keeping her charisma at the center.
The New York Times by Andy Webster
You don’t have to be a boxing fan to be awed by Claressa Shields, the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport. But if you are, you’ll still be knocked out.
Though T-Rex leaves some questions unaddressed, and ends with little resolution to protag’s various challenges, it’s compelling throughout.
The Hollywood Reporter by Justin Lowe
Inspiring as her journey may be, however, the film tracks an overly familiar arc, dwelling on Shields' disadvantaged background, teenage romance with another young boxer and family turmoil but providing limited focus on the sport of women's boxing or the complexities of obtaining training sponsorship or lucrative endorsements.
The Seattle Times by Tom Keogh
T-Rex is ultimately about a remarkable (and likable) young person finding her personal power despite pressure from all sides.