Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun "underdogs save Nike" story has strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Air
What's the Story?
In AIR, it's the early 1980s, and the Nike Corporation is struggling behind competitors Converse and Adidas. Marketing executive Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) calls a meeting of the basketball division to try to figure out how to spend their meager $250,000 annual budget. He urges them to pick out three lower-tier players to work with, but fellow exec Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) insists that this way will lead to failure. He has a more audacious idea: Why not spend all the money trying to get star player Michael Jordan? And, rather than having him wear just any old shoe, why not offer him his own shoe, the Air Jordan? To make this happen, Sonny must get around his boss, company CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck), and slimy agent David Falk (Chris Messina), as well as convince Jordan's mother, Deloris (Viola Davis). The plan seems on the verge of success, but the Jordan family makes one more demand -- something that's never been done before.
Is It Any Good?
Directed capably (if not excitingly) by Ben Affleck, this Great American "triumph of the underdog" story isn't exactly a slam dunk, but it's at least a solid layup. Air relies on many "sitting in a room and talking" shots, as well as several phone conversation scenes, and then tries to pump these moments up with a large selection of period songs, one of which seems to pop up about every five minutes. And there's too much dialogue that "predicts" the future, designed so that viewers can nod along in recognition. Air isn't a dynamic movie, but perhaps thanks to the fine performances, the energy is there, and it becomes undeniably exciting. Plus, this isn't a movie about amassing great wealth. It's more about regular folks simply keeping their jobs (and, in some cases, their identities), and about a Black family setting a new precedent so that others may follow. Ultimately, it's the characters who count in Air, and we get to know them well enough that their setbacks and victories actually mean something.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Air turns the Nike corporation into an underdog that viewers may find themselves rooting for. What methods does it use to spark this feeling?
What's at stake here? Is money the goal, or is there something more?
Did you notice examples of positive diverse representation in the movie? What about stereotypes?
Does watching the movie make you want to rush out and buy Nike shoes? Why, or why not? Do you think that was the intent in any way?
How does this story, which is set in the 1980s, resemble today's world of celebrities and influencers?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 5, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : September 12, 2023
- Cast : Matt Damon , Viola Davis , Jason Bateman
- Director : Ben Affleck
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Amazon Studios
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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