“Air” premiered in theaters on April 5 and made a great impression on the viewers. Based on a true story, the sports film is funny, dramatic and heartfelt. This spoiler-free review will reveal why top critics across the world are already calling this one of the best films of the year.
The game plan
Let’s set the scene:
The NBA draft just happened, and now the players are signing deals for the best basketball shoes in the game. Only known for its running gear, Nike has the lowest percentage of basketball endorsements in the league. The basketball division will shut down if they cannot make a deal this season. With everything on the line, the group takes a gamble on the player who has every company pining for him.
This is the story of a game-changing partnership and a revolutionary brand deal for the greatest basketball player of all time: Michael Jordan.
The starting line-up
Academy Award Nominee Matt Damon leads the film as basketball expert Sonny Vaccaro. Oscar-winner Ben Affleck plays Phil Knight, the CEO of Nike. Comedian Jason Bateman takes on the role of Rob Strasser, Nike’s director of marketing. Known for his roles in “Rush-Hour” and “Friday”, Chris Tucker plays Nike executive Howard White. Finally, per Jordan’s request, EGOT winner Viola Davis plays his mother, Deloris Jordan.
The movie’s star-studded cast speaks for itself. They are some of the most recognizable names in the industry. The Academy and other organizations have recognized their work multiple times. After watching this film, it is safe to say more award nominations may wait on the horizon.
The captains
Damon steals the show in this performance. It brings the audience back to when he was in “Good Will Hunting“; he is that good in this film. His dedication to honoring Vaccaro and studying everything about him really shines through. He is charming, funny, knowledgeable about basketball and amazing at selling a pitch. He is the main character, and there is no question about whether someone else is. It is one of those performances when your eyes naturally gravitate to him on the screen. Simply put, he was flawless.
Bateman is another stand-out performer in this movie. He is usually known for his comedic roles, so it was strange watching him in a drama. However, after seeing his performance, viewers will agree that he needs to be cast in more dramatic roles. He was show-stopping the instant he stepped into the scene. There was one scene where he was explaining to Damon’s character why this deal with Jordan needs to happen and how he needs this job. That scene, in particular, will most likely win him many nominations come award season.
Davis is always a joy to watch on the screen. She is just one of those actresses that never misses. She can easily lead a film, and do so flawlessly, and her ability to turn supporting roles into absolute powerhouses conveys her talent. With a mere eight minutes of screen time, she changed the narrative of the film. This was no longer a movie about a shoe company trying to save its business. This was a film about a caring mother who wants the best for her son. She is the definition of perfection in this role.
Coaching staff
After five long years, Affleck returns to the director’s chair and does so in incredible fashion. He and award-winning cinematographer Robert Richardson worked side-by-side to create “Air”. Set in the 1980s, the film pays homage to that generation and begins with a montage of everything that was popular during that time. They used the new ARRI ALEXA 35 filming camera and often applied a grainy texture to age the images. Their work together is masterful and deserves all the applause it has been getting.
Alongside Affleck and Richardson, William Goldenberg joined the team as their film editor. Previously, he worked with Affleck on the 2012 film “Argo”, where he won his first Oscar. In his introduction to the film industry, Alex Convery is the mind behind “Air”. Convery watched the 2020 docuseries “The Last Dance”, which discusses Jordan’s time in the NBA. The story inspired him, and he wrote his first screenplay shortly after.
Warm-up playlist
As mentioned before, this film takes place in the 1980s, and the soundtrack mimics that. Every song used in the film is a hit from that era. From Cindi Lauper’s “Time After Time” to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon, the soundtrack is both nostalgic and entertaining.
The most anticipated song of the film came during the end credits: “Be Like Mike” by Be Chi. The catchy tune premiered in a 1991 Gatorade commercial featuring Jordan. After that, the song became a hit and every fan had it stuck in their heads. A film or television show about Jordan cannot be complete without the “Be Like Mike” jingle. It is a right of passage and a necessity for all the fans.
Post-game interviews
Critics everywhere are raving about “Air”. Rotten Tomatoes gives it 92%, Metacritic gives it a reasonable 73 out of 100, Roger Ebert rates it at three and a half out of five stars and AV Club grades the film at a B. Fans are loving the film, rating it at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. After over a week in theaters, the film has grossed a total of $34.7 million worldwide.
“Air” is honestly a must-see, because it attracts all audiences. Whether a fan of sports, drama or 80s music, this film is entertaining for all viewers. The acting and production quality are top-notch and arguably some of the best so far this year. This film will, and deserves to, be back in the news come award season.
