‘Air Review: Michael Jordan Sneaker Movie The Years Best So Far

Could a new Air Jordan movie become the sneaker of the year?

Amazon Studios' powerful and entertaining live-action drama definitely has an effect. This is my favorite movie released this year.

It has an all-star cast led by Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck.

And since then, audiences have been clamoring for retro 80s scenes.

Located in 1984 in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike's Pacific Northwest headquarters, Air is where Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time series and new corded in-car phones are straight out of The Jetsons.

Of course, the powerful presence of Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, is always felt, even if we never get to see the face of the actor playing the young Jordan (Damien Delano Young). The Chicago Bulls shooting guard says only one word during the nearly two hours of the film: "Hello."

But even more compelling is how an honest slice of modern America emerges — a tale taken from a retail tale — and what fun "The Weather" has in presenting a series of events in an office building. .

Just as 2021's King Richard explores the origins of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams through the struggles of their coach parents, so Air Jordan's rising fame is told through its now iconic shoes.

So "Ware" is an unusual sports movie disguised as a shoe movie. He called them "Shoosiers."

Our hungry crew is gushing over Nike, the sportswear company that in 1984 ranked third in the shoe market behind Converse and Adidas.

The cash-strapped company has struggled to sign promising new hires to step into its fold, so CEO Sonny Vaccaro (Damon) comes up with a game-changing idea.

To capture the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Jordan and steal it away from its wealthy opponents, Nike will not only brand Jordan, but design and market an entirely new product around the phenomenon.

"He's not wearing shoes," Vaccaro said, adding that Mr. Miyagi directed him. "It's a shoe. That's a shoe."

He doubles down on his imagination and tells Nike founder Phil Knight (Affleck), "I'm willing to bet my career." Smart bet!

The Nike team was played by Bateman (with curtains) as Nike's shrunken marketing director Rob Strasser; Chris Tucker (Nice to see you!) as CEO Howard White; and Matthew Maher (The Simpsons Come to Life) as Air Jordan designer Peter Moore.

Alex Convery's clever script, while funny and insightful, always has one foot in the future.

For example, a horrified Davis, who plays Jordan's scheming mother Delores, says, "It's not going to be the NBA to promote my son, on the contrary." You are waiting for the fireworks to start at that time.

The petty critic may dismiss such dialogues as writing with an imaginary drum behind them. But making a movie primarily about sneakers, as Affleck and Convery manage, deserves serious monologues. I was cold every time.

"Air" belongs to Damon at the moment. He's headstrong but humble as Vaccaro, whose character breaks industry convention by traveling to North Carolina for a surprise visit to Michael's parents.

And his eleventh hour of his intense conversation with Michael about his lasting legacy in the NBA is amazing.

However, Damon is not a showman. The cast is a well-tuned group of peers, and no one dares to be like Mike. Oddly enough, Affleck is like Zayn, the Barefoot Rider. And Chris Messina is also funny as David Falk, Dirty Agent Jordan. He's similar to Jeremy Piven as Ari on Entourage, but tougher.

Whether you're a fan of basketball or basket weaving, Air will suit almost any taste.