Return to form for Mr. Ben Affleck. He managed to get me out to the theater to see a movie about Nike. Not necessarily a shoe guy, however this movie paints the picture as to why people invest in these shoes. The directing was fantastic. Stellar cast. Matt Damon bringing his A Game as always. Chris Tucker just added his magic to this movie. Jason Bateman just being a supporting character was interesting, but his story really added to the stakes of the movie. The pacing was a little off here, and there but the story, and cast really allows this movie to breathe in away you don't worry about the pace like that. Definitely give this flick a chance if you like start up films.
425 Reviews
Really solid entertainment
rdoyle2912 April 2023
This is an extremely engaging and entertaining film that manages to mine suspense out of a story you already know the ending of. You know that Nike ... at the time the third place loser in the basketball shoe market ... managed to get Michael Jordan to sign with them and created the Air Jordan shoe. To a large degree the film is about HOW Sonny Vaccaro (in the form of Matt Damon) pulled off this feat, but it also makes you doubt IF it's going to happen. That's good storytelling.
It's also a pretty funny film ... more than I expected. Mostly due to Jason Bateman, Chris Turcker (who I am not a fan of, but is really quite good here) and a bravely self-deprecating Ben Affleck, although Dave Messina steals many scenes as Jordan's agent.
It's really so well put together than you start to forget that Nike is hardly an underdog, and this is really a film about a multi-billion dollar company becoming even bigger and making a soon-to-be-very-wealthy athlete even wealthier. It's a nice trick.
My only real complaint about the film is that it's WAY too dedicated to reminding you that it's set in 1984.
It's also a pretty funny film ... more than I expected. Mostly due to Jason Bateman, Chris Turcker (who I am not a fan of, but is really quite good here) and a bravely self-deprecating Ben Affleck, although Dave Messina steals many scenes as Jordan's agent.
It's really so well put together than you start to forget that Nike is hardly an underdog, and this is really a film about a multi-billion dollar company becoming even bigger and making a soon-to-be-very-wealthy athlete even wealthier. It's a nice trick.
My only real complaint about the film is that it's WAY too dedicated to reminding you that it's set in 1984.
Adblock tried to block this movie on my computer. Joke.
yuramalets1 June 2023
This film was made by Nike, for Nike and to increase Nike's sales. It seems rather documentary with good actors, than biopic or drama. The main thing we need to worry about (both scripted and now, haha) is whether the commercial company will make billions of dollars or not. It's too weak point of culmination for the average viewer to care about. Also, it is really weird not to show Michael Jordan's face, almost blur it, while he is in shot himself.
Nevertheless, Ben Affleck made good work as director. "Air" looks great, I like the cinematography, nothing special, but it was very enjoyable to watch. It is also worth praising the way the film sounds. If you're into 80s music, your ears will love it. Matt Damon plays his typical "good passionate guy" role and does it 10/10. Other actors did as well.
In summary, it is movie for once, or you are fan of basketball or Nike history.
Nevertheless, Ben Affleck made good work as director. "Air" looks great, I like the cinematography, nothing special, but it was very enjoyable to watch. It is also worth praising the way the film sounds. If you're into 80s music, your ears will love it. Matt Damon plays his typical "good passionate guy" role and does it 10/10. Other actors did as well.
In summary, it is movie for once, or you are fan of basketball or Nike history.
A Great Portrayal of A Potential Boring Subject Matter
cdjh-8112528 March 2023
Really, really loved this movie. I know it's become a bit of an overused adage nowadays but this feels like the kind of movie we just don't get anymore.
I've missed Ben Affleck as a director so much. I've liked every movie he's directed so far (even Live By Night) and this movie shows just how capable he is behind the camera. His directing is a big part of the reason why this film is as captivating as it is. He never just reverts to simple shot/reverse shot between actors during these long dialogue scenes but instead keeps the characters moving and energetic and it keeps the scenes visually interesting. Its also extremely well edited with the film being kept at a brisk pace with a runtime that feels just right for this story.
But the dialogue here is unbelievable. It's consistently sharp and witty throughout and it keeps the conversations engaging without ever being showy or overwritten. As much as I love Aaron Sorkin dialogue his scenes can often come across as words written by a professional screenwriter rather than genuine interactions between characters but that's not the case here at all. But Air does what Sorkin scripts like the Social Network and Moneyball do extremely successfully and take very non-cinematic subject matters and makes them riveting, captivating watches.
I was a bit mixed on Affleck's choice to never directly show Michael Jordan on screen. I understand the creative choice but the attempts to hide Jordan on screen often came across as more distracting than I think it would've been had Jordan just been portrayed as an actual character by an actor giving a performance.
But overall this was a great watch. I'm so glad Amazon are giving this a full theatrical release because it deserves to be seen on the big screen and I sincerely hope this is a sign of things to come not just from Amazon but streamers as a whole.
I've missed Ben Affleck as a director so much. I've liked every movie he's directed so far (even Live By Night) and this movie shows just how capable he is behind the camera. His directing is a big part of the reason why this film is as captivating as it is. He never just reverts to simple shot/reverse shot between actors during these long dialogue scenes but instead keeps the characters moving and energetic and it keeps the scenes visually interesting. Its also extremely well edited with the film being kept at a brisk pace with a runtime that feels just right for this story.
But the dialogue here is unbelievable. It's consistently sharp and witty throughout and it keeps the conversations engaging without ever being showy or overwritten. As much as I love Aaron Sorkin dialogue his scenes can often come across as words written by a professional screenwriter rather than genuine interactions between characters but that's not the case here at all. But Air does what Sorkin scripts like the Social Network and Moneyball do extremely successfully and take very non-cinematic subject matters and makes them riveting, captivating watches.
I was a bit mixed on Affleck's choice to never directly show Michael Jordan on screen. I understand the creative choice but the attempts to hide Jordan on screen often came across as more distracting than I think it would've been had Jordan just been portrayed as an actual character by an actor giving a performance.
But overall this was a great watch. I'm so glad Amazon are giving this a full theatrical release because it deserves to be seen on the big screen and I sincerely hope this is a sign of things to come not just from Amazon but streamers as a whole.
Beauty in Simplicity
gwzct15 May 2023
We need more films like this right now. No agenda. No politics. Just an interesting (and true) story that entertains us. Write some dialogue, grab some cameras, get solid actors, and go to work. There's nothing complicated in this film. There no mystery to solve, no giant set pieces, just a fantastic time on the screen. The 80s are shown a ton of love in every aspect of the film. I am liking Matt Damon more as an actor as his career moves on. He's not above setting his star power aside and concentrate on being an actor and it works so well here. Too much can never be said about Ben Affleck as a director. He's one of the best working right now. As solid a movie as you will ever watch.
Affleck bounces back as a director
Jeremy_Urquhart5 April 2023
This was a nice surprise. After the shaky Live By Night in 2016 (which I think was affected more by executive meddling than anything else), Ben Affleck took a break from directing, and now has a mini comeback of sorts with Air. It's been about a decade since I watched his other films (Gone Baby Gone, The Town, and Argo), but I remember liking them quite a bit, and enough to say that Air feels like a return to form for Affleck as a director.
It's most comparable to Argo in that it takes an interesting story from history, and gives it a classic Hollywood level of polish that makes things a bit snappier, more entertaining, and a little funnier, too. Here, it's all about Nike trying to partner with a young Michael Jordan in the mid-80s. I know nothing about basketball, but have always known Jordan and Nike go together. So the film's only likely to be suspenseful for those who've been living under particularly large rocks for a particularly long time, but it's not so much the what that's interesting, but the how.
The cast all give very strong performances, and between this and The Last Duel, I have to say that I think Affleck's even better in supporting roles than lead ones. It moves well and kept me interested for nearly two hours, even though the story on paper wasn't one I thought I'd find interesting. That's the sign of a good movie, sometimes.
However, Air's not quite a slam dunk. The writing takes some jarring shortcuts here and there, and keeping this under two hours also made for some occasionally weird edits. And the soundtrack may have laid it on a little thick at times (but hearing two Violent Femmes tracks was cool, and not only is Bruce Springsteen discussed in dialogue, but he's also in the soundtrack, which is always a win in my book).
Affleck and Damon haven't had a big win in a while, but they made a good movie together here and I hope it does well. It's worth seeking out for the clean, efficient, and all-around solid entertainment it provides.
It's most comparable to Argo in that it takes an interesting story from history, and gives it a classic Hollywood level of polish that makes things a bit snappier, more entertaining, and a little funnier, too. Here, it's all about Nike trying to partner with a young Michael Jordan in the mid-80s. I know nothing about basketball, but have always known Jordan and Nike go together. So the film's only likely to be suspenseful for those who've been living under particularly large rocks for a particularly long time, but it's not so much the what that's interesting, but the how.
The cast all give very strong performances, and between this and The Last Duel, I have to say that I think Affleck's even better in supporting roles than lead ones. It moves well and kept me interested for nearly two hours, even though the story on paper wasn't one I thought I'd find interesting. That's the sign of a good movie, sometimes.
However, Air's not quite a slam dunk. The writing takes some jarring shortcuts here and there, and keeping this under two hours also made for some occasionally weird edits. And the soundtrack may have laid it on a little thick at times (but hearing two Violent Femmes tracks was cool, and not only is Bruce Springsteen discussed in dialogue, but he's also in the soundtrack, which is always a win in my book).
Affleck and Damon haven't had a big win in a while, but they made a good movie together here and I hope it does well. It's worth seeking out for the clean, efficient, and all-around solid entertainment it provides.
Ben Affleck Directs Another Winner
kjproulx15 April 2023
I'm a pretty big fan of films that revolve around the behind-the-scenes drama of professional sports. Films like Air will always grab my attention and become a must-see in my mind. For that reason alone, on top of knowing that Ben Affleck directed it, I had high hopes as well. After seeing it, I'm happy to say that I had a great time at the movies. This supremely written film deserves your attention and here's why.
Decades ago, the company of Nike wasn't worth all that much and not many athletes even wanted to be sponsored by them. Air tells the story of Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a man who is on the verge of his career ending, when he gets the crazy idea to put the entire good will and fortune of the Nike brand at risk. He risks everything to try and get Michael Jordan to agree to sign with them, thus designing what is widely known now as the Air Jordan shoe. It's a very simple story about a man who knows the potential of something, while everyone around him thinks what he wants to accomplish is impossible. It's an underdog story that's not even directly about an athlete and it's done incredibly well.
The star of this film is easily Alex Convery. You haven't heard of him? Well, until today I hadn't either. He is the screenwriter of this film and the dialogue from start to finish is what took this film from the generic true story category to something that's a must-watch. This is his first screenplay, ever. Yes, a film that I will currently call my favourite of the year so far, was written by a guy who had never written a feature film outside of this one (at least none that got made). Hearing about this just made me ludicrously excited that people still get chances taken on them in Hollywood. Convery wrote a terrific screenplay here and I hope he continues to get work.
Ben Affleck does a great job directing this film, getting fantastic performances out of everyone involved. Matt Damon is committed and it's one of his best performances in years. Jason Bateman's dry humour is all over this movie and I couldn't get enough of it. Viola Davis as Michael Jordan's mother was also great (as always), but who really stood out to me as the MVP was Chris Tucker. He's both funny and hits all the dramatic beats his character required. I haven't seen him in a meaty role like this in a while and I was pleasantly surprised.
Look, I'm not about to sit here and say this is one of the best films of all time or that it's groundbreaking in any way, but Air just ticked all the boxes of enjoyment for me. Well-acted, well-written, well-directed, it's fun to watch and even though you know how the story ends, it's still very engaging. For non-sports fans or people who don't know about sponsorships and how they work in professional sports, I think Air is still a movie for you because it never showcases any actual Basketball (other than on a television) and the inner workings of this company is just interesting in general. Air is now playing in theatres and I think many people will enjoy it. I absolutely recommend this one.
Decades ago, the company of Nike wasn't worth all that much and not many athletes even wanted to be sponsored by them. Air tells the story of Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a man who is on the verge of his career ending, when he gets the crazy idea to put the entire good will and fortune of the Nike brand at risk. He risks everything to try and get Michael Jordan to agree to sign with them, thus designing what is widely known now as the Air Jordan shoe. It's a very simple story about a man who knows the potential of something, while everyone around him thinks what he wants to accomplish is impossible. It's an underdog story that's not even directly about an athlete and it's done incredibly well.
The star of this film is easily Alex Convery. You haven't heard of him? Well, until today I hadn't either. He is the screenwriter of this film and the dialogue from start to finish is what took this film from the generic true story category to something that's a must-watch. This is his first screenplay, ever. Yes, a film that I will currently call my favourite of the year so far, was written by a guy who had never written a feature film outside of this one (at least none that got made). Hearing about this just made me ludicrously excited that people still get chances taken on them in Hollywood. Convery wrote a terrific screenplay here and I hope he continues to get work.
Ben Affleck does a great job directing this film, getting fantastic performances out of everyone involved. Matt Damon is committed and it's one of his best performances in years. Jason Bateman's dry humour is all over this movie and I couldn't get enough of it. Viola Davis as Michael Jordan's mother was also great (as always), but who really stood out to me as the MVP was Chris Tucker. He's both funny and hits all the dramatic beats his character required. I haven't seen him in a meaty role like this in a while and I was pleasantly surprised.
Look, I'm not about to sit here and say this is one of the best films of all time or that it's groundbreaking in any way, but Air just ticked all the boxes of enjoyment for me. Well-acted, well-written, well-directed, it's fun to watch and even though you know how the story ends, it's still very engaging. For non-sports fans or people who don't know about sponsorships and how they work in professional sports, I think Air is still a movie for you because it never showcases any actual Basketball (other than on a television) and the inner workings of this company is just interesting in general. Air is now playing in theatres and I think many people will enjoy it. I absolutely recommend this one.
There was a better film in here, but this one is fine
breckroy2 June 2023
After finishing this film, I couldn't shake the idea that there was a better film in there. I'm not 100% sure, having seen it so recently, what would be needed to bring out that better film, but I suspect it may have to do with the choice not only to NOT center Michael jordan, but to have him as an incidental fringe character in the film altogether. It's an interesting choice to include his mother and her perspective, but it still feels like this is a story about the wrong people. Not that all of these people shouldn't have been included in this story, but that the exclusion of Jordan and his perspective leaves a little bit of a hole. All of that said, it was an enjoyable enough watch and if you live through this period of time or have a passion for the shoes now, you'll probably find it interesting. Viola Davis is of course, amazing.
Can Ben Affleck and Matt Damon always make movies together
burntoutboy29 March 2023
I managed to watch this at an early screening and I was pleasantly surprised.
Of course most people know Michael Jordan and how he arguably is the best basketball player of all time and potentially best athlete of all time. But I bet a fair few people don't know the behind the doors story of how the most popular sneaker came into creation. This is where Air comes in.
Right from the very start, the movie brings you along for the journey, engaging at every possible moment instead of just telling it to your face. The script was really well written to achieve this.
The acting was too notch, particularly from Damon and Davis. At times you forget they are portraying real people.
It was surprisingly funny at times and whilst you know the end of the story, the movie still gets you routing for everything to work out.
For me, this is the first Oscar worthy film of the year (primarily for acting and screenplay) but credit should also be given to Afflecks direction. Just like Argo, he's got another directorial hit and his hands.
Of course most people know Michael Jordan and how he arguably is the best basketball player of all time and potentially best athlete of all time. But I bet a fair few people don't know the behind the doors story of how the most popular sneaker came into creation. This is where Air comes in.
Right from the very start, the movie brings you along for the journey, engaging at every possible moment instead of just telling it to your face. The script was really well written to achieve this.
The acting was too notch, particularly from Damon and Davis. At times you forget they are portraying real people.
It was surprisingly funny at times and whilst you know the end of the story, the movie still gets you routing for everything to work out.
For me, this is the first Oscar worthy film of the year (primarily for acting and screenplay) but credit should also be given to Afflecks direction. Just like Argo, he's got another directorial hit and his hands.
Good? Yes. Overrated? Yes.
bradleyrbauman23 April 2023
Gonna write this in stream of consciousness bullet point form.
- acting was solid throughout
- never really got boring despite the subject matter
- you know how it ends, so the movie lacks suspense which they artificially try to drum it up in a bumbling, fumbling manner
- the dialogue felt like it was written as to be quotable in the future amongst movie line quoting type people,
- the music, the 80's nostalgia overkill etc etc gets real old, real fast, and felt like they used it simply to run clock. We get it. This story took place in the 1980s. Quit ramming it down our throats
- Affleck just shouldn't be acting. Ya don't see Phil Knight. You see Ben Affleck hamming it up to the point of nausea
- should've focused on the guy who actually designed the shoe. He was the real pioneer here. Well yeah, Jordan for becoming the Jordan the world knows, too. But the shoe designer didn't get enough credit in the film.
- bottom line: solid but undeserving of the early, off the charts buzz going around.
Just like "Air Jordan" the "Air" movie flies high!
emiraktel-271018 March 2023
Let's start with the script, Alex Convery knew how to wrote a plot driven script with reasonable characters. It's constantly going and growing.
Ben Affleck showed us at "Argo" that for plot driven real life stories, he is an excelent storyteller. Once again he knew how to tell the story with complete excitement and great character works. Cast has been used wonderfully, Affleck made sure to brought them to life. It's like one of those classic movies that you know how it's going to end, but you still wanna see every scene and every nuance of it. Ben Affleck's first non-crime film looks like it'll be a cinema classic, hope to see more of these stuff from Ben.
Film has both stylish and realistic look on it's cinematography, thanks to second time collabration between Robert Richardson and Ben Affleck. (First one Live by Night) And we all know that Ben Affleck is an filmmaking nerd, he has editing machines at his house and loves working in the editing room, with his best editing oscar winner for "Argo" collabrator William Goldenberg, they have created a fast moving, inspiring cut with Jordan's story.
Let's talk about the stars: Matt Damon is doing what he does best, a hero that is not flawless, more realistic, and constantly knows he is a humanbeing. We have seen this kind of works from Matt Damon, but this time, he looks soo relaxed doing it. You'll see that Sonny Vacaro should only played by him.
Ben Affleck's Phil Knight is funny, sarcastic and realistic. Later in his career he took roles like "Cont Pierre" at "The Last Duel" and "Uncle Charlie" at "The Tender Bar" in both of these movies he was the sarcastic supporting role that stole the show everytime he was on the screen, and he has done it again. Ben Affleck completely knows how to cast himself.
Jason Bateman's comedic touch is superb. His character was like a bit ordinary company men, but he has givin a fresh touch to that 2D part. This maybe the best example how to use Jason Bateman in a movie.
Chris Tucker was adorable in the movie, he may not have a big role in this, but every scene he is in, you'll feel his magic. Ben Affleck created a comfort zone for him where he could do some "Chris Tucker" stuff without ruining the reality of the movie.
And of course Viola Davis... Michael Jordan's only wish for the movie was Viola Davis playing his mother. And Viola Davis did something special here. Incredible realistic mother portrail with strong woman presence, Vialo Davis made one of her best works here.
As an ensemble, with Chris Messina and Marlon Wayans, everyone is so authantic and reasonable.
"Air" is something living, moving and inspirational at the same time. Ben Affleck pulled something special from his directing hat once again. Hope to see more of these kinds of dramas from Hollywood.
Ben Affleck showed us at "Argo" that for plot driven real life stories, he is an excelent storyteller. Once again he knew how to tell the story with complete excitement and great character works. Cast has been used wonderfully, Affleck made sure to brought them to life. It's like one of those classic movies that you know how it's going to end, but you still wanna see every scene and every nuance of it. Ben Affleck's first non-crime film looks like it'll be a cinema classic, hope to see more of these stuff from Ben.
Film has both stylish and realistic look on it's cinematography, thanks to second time collabration between Robert Richardson and Ben Affleck. (First one Live by Night) And we all know that Ben Affleck is an filmmaking nerd, he has editing machines at his house and loves working in the editing room, with his best editing oscar winner for "Argo" collabrator William Goldenberg, they have created a fast moving, inspiring cut with Jordan's story.
Let's talk about the stars: Matt Damon is doing what he does best, a hero that is not flawless, more realistic, and constantly knows he is a humanbeing. We have seen this kind of works from Matt Damon, but this time, he looks soo relaxed doing it. You'll see that Sonny Vacaro should only played by him.
Ben Affleck's Phil Knight is funny, sarcastic and realistic. Later in his career he took roles like "Cont Pierre" at "The Last Duel" and "Uncle Charlie" at "The Tender Bar" in both of these movies he was the sarcastic supporting role that stole the show everytime he was on the screen, and he has done it again. Ben Affleck completely knows how to cast himself.
Jason Bateman's comedic touch is superb. His character was like a bit ordinary company men, but he has givin a fresh touch to that 2D part. This maybe the best example how to use Jason Bateman in a movie.
Chris Tucker was adorable in the movie, he may not have a big role in this, but every scene he is in, you'll feel his magic. Ben Affleck created a comfort zone for him where he could do some "Chris Tucker" stuff without ruining the reality of the movie.
And of course Viola Davis... Michael Jordan's only wish for the movie was Viola Davis playing his mother. And Viola Davis did something special here. Incredible realistic mother portrail with strong woman presence, Vialo Davis made one of her best works here.
As an ensemble, with Chris Messina and Marlon Wayans, everyone is so authantic and reasonable.
"Air" is something living, moving and inspirational at the same time. Ben Affleck pulled something special from his directing hat once again. Hope to see more of these kinds of dramas from Hollywood.
I'd have had more fun with a 90 minute documentary that was about the same thing.
Movie_Rating_n_Ranking13 May 2023
To appreciate this movie as it really deserves, you must be a fan of both basketball and Nike shoes. Unfortunately I don't fit into either of the two categories and my love for cinema isn't enough to elevate these two hours of negotiations to the status of a masterpiece. Air is a well made film, technically, but with the minimum levels necessary to make it a slightly gripping story. I didn't feel attracted to the central argument, since everything revolves around boring, redundant, pessimistic and fatalistic negotiations, taking away vital space from more images of the sport they talk about or even from Michael Jordan himself, who may well have had representation for some actor and have gotten at least a couple of lines of dialogue. It's unfortunate that the filmmakers have decided to leave him out of a movie that tells the foundation of his strongest financial income outside the basketball court.
The performances are regular, nobody shines except for a small spark in a monologue by Matt Damon at the end of the second third of the film.
To close, I insist, you must be a fan of Basketball, Jordan or Nike if you want to have fun with this movie. If not, look for another movie.
The performances are regular, nobody shines except for a small spark in a monologue by Matt Damon at the end of the second third of the film.
To close, I insist, you must be a fan of Basketball, Jordan or Nike if you want to have fun with this movie. If not, look for another movie.
Why did they take the Dad out?
nayeliandben30 May 2023
So when I was a kid I read every book Jordan put out! I remember Jordan talking a LOT about his father and the things (including this Nike deal) that his father gave him a lot of advice on. I don't understand why Ben and Matt would change that? Wouldn't this be an incredible opportunity to show how empowering it is for a child to have a father figure in the household? Which is the story Jordan himself shared in the books? Why on earth would you want to change that? How unfortunate to tell the story this way.
As for the movie itself it's about as mediocre of a movie you can expect to see about 1 specific meeting about a shoe. Only for the hard core Jordan fan but be warned, the story is not the same story told 30 years ago.
As for the movie itself it's about as mediocre of a movie you can expect to see about 1 specific meeting about a shoe. Only for the hard core Jordan fan but be warned, the story is not the same story told 30 years ago.
Absolutely NOT a sports fan, but really liked this movie
thejdrage18 May 2023
I actually rated it at 7.5 stars. Ben Affleck's acting wasn't as good as we know it could have been. The strain of being on both sides of the camera showed - but damn he was great as a director!! Also felt that Chris Tucker's usual comedy set him apart for such a strong part.
So, I am absolutely NOT a sports fan and I don't wear Air Jordan shoes. HOWEVER, it was fun to see that Peter Moore, the original creator of the shoe, did, indeed, make them a work of art from the very beginning - once he was given free reign. That made me the happiest!! I DO love looking at Air Jordan's and they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
This movie about sports and sport clothes was brilliantly done due to the fact that everyone in it felt free to be very natural.
Some reviewers don't like that we never see Michael Jordan's face. I did like it. He is FAR too well-known to be played by an actor. AND this movie really wan't about him, per se. It was very much about his mother and what she did not only for him, but for everyone in sports.
This is a movie for everyone. ENJOY!!
So, I am absolutely NOT a sports fan and I don't wear Air Jordan shoes. HOWEVER, it was fun to see that Peter Moore, the original creator of the shoe, did, indeed, make them a work of art from the very beginning - once he was given free reign. That made me the happiest!! I DO love looking at Air Jordan's and they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
This movie about sports and sport clothes was brilliantly done due to the fact that everyone in it felt free to be very natural.
Some reviewers don't like that we never see Michael Jordan's face. I did like it. He is FAR too well-known to be played by an actor. AND this movie really wan't about him, per se. It was very much about his mother and what she did not only for him, but for everyone in sports.
This is a movie for everyone. ENJOY!!
Surprisingly entertaining biopic about the rise of a sports brand
trevorwomble7 April 2023
Nike are now synonymous with sports and sportswear, and Adidas's great rivals, however it wasn't always that way and this little film explains how they did it.
This film started off as a made for streaming movie, small(ish) in scale and with a decent but not spectacular budget. However the casting of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (both in front of and behind the camera) really brought it up to another level. Whilst the final result still feels like a glorified TV movie, Damon is excellent as usual and for once Affleck doesn't seem to be punching above his weight as an actor. This is actually a very well made and acted film, although the slight story may not be to everyone's taste.
Viola Davis and Julius Tannon also turn in a good performances as Michael Jordan's devoted parents. There are also solid turns from Chris Tucker (looking a few pounds heavier than the last time I saw him in anything worthwhile) and Jason Bateman amongst others.
It's an interesting subject matter and I enjoyed the soundtrack too (many 80s songs of my youth) although it does have a lot of swearing so may not be appropriate for all. Ben Affleck is a very capable director and this is another good movie from him. If you enjoyed more recent biopic films like 'The Founder' and 'Steve Jobs' then you should enjoy this.
This film started off as a made for streaming movie, small(ish) in scale and with a decent but not spectacular budget. However the casting of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (both in front of and behind the camera) really brought it up to another level. Whilst the final result still feels like a glorified TV movie, Damon is excellent as usual and for once Affleck doesn't seem to be punching above his weight as an actor. This is actually a very well made and acted film, although the slight story may not be to everyone's taste.
Viola Davis and Julius Tannon also turn in a good performances as Michael Jordan's devoted parents. There are also solid turns from Chris Tucker (looking a few pounds heavier than the last time I saw him in anything worthwhile) and Jason Bateman amongst others.
It's an interesting subject matter and I enjoyed the soundtrack too (many 80s songs of my youth) although it does have a lot of swearing so may not be appropriate for all. Ben Affleck is a very capable director and this is another good movie from him. If you enjoyed more recent biopic films like 'The Founder' and 'Steve Jobs' then you should enjoy this.
Nothing spectacular but nothing terrible. Just average.
bugsycline8 April 2023
So it's two hours of a company designing a shoe for a basketball player. FIlled with shots of 80's nostalgia and energetic performances.
If you are a brand worshiper or you worship Basketball players, you might love this. I am neither. So I rate this on the merit of film making. There's really nothing special here. I relies heavily on nostalgia and an 80's soundtrack to hold momentum that normally would just be a boring idea of a film of people working at a marketing office... YAWN...
It kept me interested enough but just enough by the performances by the actors. But not really enough meat and potatoes for two hours worth.
Still it's one of the few film playing this week in my town that isn't sequel, marvel franchise or other kid's movies.... there seem to be fewer and fewer movies that are not kid's movies.
If you are a brand worshiper or you worship Basketball players, you might love this. I am neither. So I rate this on the merit of film making. There's really nothing special here. I relies heavily on nostalgia and an 80's soundtrack to hold momentum that normally would just be a boring idea of a film of people working at a marketing office... YAWN...
It kept me interested enough but just enough by the performances by the actors. But not really enough meat and potatoes for two hours worth.
Still it's one of the few film playing this week in my town that isn't sequel, marvel franchise or other kid's movies.... there seem to be fewer and fewer movies that are not kid's movies.
So damn good!
UniqueParticle5 April 2023
Ben Affleck directed and co-starred in this so well; Alex Convery wrote it with glorious talent! For someone that doesn't really keep up much with sports this was enthralling, very informative, and quite entertaining. I loved Air I can't praise enough I had a lot of fun. The comedy was better than expected especially everything with Chris Messina and Matt Damon bantering. I wasn't sure why Micheal Jordan barely had lines at all even though the movie had a lot to do with him even that was crafty, the bulk is about Nike corporation which was all great. I hope the ratings/reviews get plenty of praise even awards.
A really long Nike commercial
ericknromero24 May 2023
"Air" was cute. Not a great movie, and probably not a good movie in my estimation, but it wasn't bad. And quite a bit of it was enjoyable. It's just very... cute. I keep using that word because that seems to be the best way of conveying no regret about the time I spent on it, but not at all going to recommend it to anyone else. Unless they are huge fans of Nike. Or Michael Jordan.
The acting... and actors... in this thing was the real attraction for me, and on this it delivered. Matt Damon is the lead and has strong support by Viola Davis, Jason Bateman (my favorite), Ben Affleck, Chris Messina, and Chris Tucker. We even get some cameos from Marlon Wayans and Jay Mohr. The script wasn't great, but these professionals elevated it to something tolerable.
It's based on a true story, the pursuit of Jordan for the first-of-its-kind shoe endorsement deal back in 1984. The nostalgia is another selling point, and maybe there is still some residue of excitement after "The Last Dance" documentary came out, but as a self-contained story... it's alright. I wonder if someone came in cold and watched it, what would they think? By this, I mean if they knew little to nothing of the Nike company, Michael Jordan, or the greater NBA/basketball/sports business landscape, would they still understand and enjoy the film?
I'm definitely glad I waited to see this on Prime Video instead of going to the theaters. So far, Amazon Studios hasn't wowed me with their content.
The acting... and actors... in this thing was the real attraction for me, and on this it delivered. Matt Damon is the lead and has strong support by Viola Davis, Jason Bateman (my favorite), Ben Affleck, Chris Messina, and Chris Tucker. We even get some cameos from Marlon Wayans and Jay Mohr. The script wasn't great, but these professionals elevated it to something tolerable.
It's based on a true story, the pursuit of Jordan for the first-of-its-kind shoe endorsement deal back in 1984. The nostalgia is another selling point, and maybe there is still some residue of excitement after "The Last Dance" documentary came out, but as a self-contained story... it's alright. I wonder if someone came in cold and watched it, what would they think? By this, I mean if they knew little to nothing of the Nike company, Michael Jordan, or the greater NBA/basketball/sports business landscape, would they still understand and enjoy the film?
I'm definitely glad I waited to see this on Prime Video instead of going to the theaters. So far, Amazon Studios hasn't wowed me with their content.
Amazing, impressive movie!
schloot5 April 2023
'Air' immerses the viewer into the 1980's: the soundtrack, the style, the fashion... and it goes in depth about Michael Jordan's deal with Nike, and all that it took to get there. The cast is amazing- Damon, Affleck, and Bateman shine in their roles, but once again Viola Davis is powerful in her role as Michael Jordan's mother. I read that Affleck consulted with Michael Jordan throughout to ensure accuracy of details, and Jordan insisted that Viola Davis play his mother- how cool is that! 'Air' is one of the best 'based on a true story' movies I've seen- I always appreciate actual pics and info at the end which shows the real life players, and it was very powerful in this film.
An Excellent Depiction of a Brilliant Story
Jackblyth826 May 2023
An alternative perspective on the sport of basketball. A marketing, commercial outlook on the game is brought to life through the lens of Ben Affleck. Air details the creation of the world's greatest, coolest and most sought after pair of shoes.
Sonny Vaccaro and Nike pursue basketball rookie Michael Jordan, creating a partnership that revolutionizes the world of sports and contemporary culture.
The film is cleverly compiled, with relevant connotations to the era of 1984 America, with Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA mentioned, as well as the inclusion of a Mercedes Benz 380SL. The story aims to illustrate Nike's rise to the top, despite primarily being third best to Converse and Adidas.
Matt Damon, Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck play contrasting characters with shared ambitions; Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro is a basketball guru, obsessed with the game, a man who trusts his instincts. Jason Bateman portrays Rob Strassor, a hardworking, logical-thinker at the heart of Nike's commercial and marketing division - slightly introverted, we learn more about Strassor's struggles with life away from work. Finally, director Ben Affleck encapsulates the passionate, yet laid-back CEO Phil Knight, who risked it all for the deal of a lifetime.
Significantly, the story is solely concerned with the deal in place to sign Michael Jordan, as well as the pioneering of the Air Jordan. Jordan's face is never seen in the picture, his dialogue is minimal, this is to reinforce the crux of the plot, which is heavily focused on Nike and their marketing strategy, rather than Jordan's basketball ability.
A consistent unfolding of events sees the office of Nike's HQ in Beaverton, Oregon is the primary setting in the film, with brief spells in Wilmington, North Carolina (home town of Michael Jordan). Encompassing the work of the characters in convincing the basketball's greatest talent away from rival franchises.
Fitting messages regarding life beyond the Air Jordan of the protagonists in Nike's biggest signing highlight how their work has transformed the organisation.
An excellent depiction of a brilliant story.
Sonny Vaccaro and Nike pursue basketball rookie Michael Jordan, creating a partnership that revolutionizes the world of sports and contemporary culture.
The film is cleverly compiled, with relevant connotations to the era of 1984 America, with Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA mentioned, as well as the inclusion of a Mercedes Benz 380SL. The story aims to illustrate Nike's rise to the top, despite primarily being third best to Converse and Adidas.
Matt Damon, Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck play contrasting characters with shared ambitions; Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro is a basketball guru, obsessed with the game, a man who trusts his instincts. Jason Bateman portrays Rob Strassor, a hardworking, logical-thinker at the heart of Nike's commercial and marketing division - slightly introverted, we learn more about Strassor's struggles with life away from work. Finally, director Ben Affleck encapsulates the passionate, yet laid-back CEO Phil Knight, who risked it all for the deal of a lifetime.
Significantly, the story is solely concerned with the deal in place to sign Michael Jordan, as well as the pioneering of the Air Jordan. Jordan's face is never seen in the picture, his dialogue is minimal, this is to reinforce the crux of the plot, which is heavily focused on Nike and their marketing strategy, rather than Jordan's basketball ability.
A consistent unfolding of events sees the office of Nike's HQ in Beaverton, Oregon is the primary setting in the film, with brief spells in Wilmington, North Carolina (home town of Michael Jordan). Encompassing the work of the characters in convincing the basketball's greatest talent away from rival franchises.
Fitting messages regarding life beyond the Air Jordan of the protagonists in Nike's biggest signing highlight how their work has transformed the organisation.
An excellent depiction of a brilliant story.
Ben giving us another one
krichemen20 March 2023
The movie is up there with argo loved it and enjoy it.
It's really well paced Viola Davis is iconic always delivering one of real life characters matt is good the story of Jordan air is inspired by Real event and showcasing how to become great or the road to greatness with a lot of sacrifice and dedication to what we love and do Ben tackling this project is perfectly his speciallty giving it his best and bring it to life and shows how passionate his to filmmaking as he cover all of it from acting writing producing and directing hope to see more of his work in future why not another batman under him.
It's really well paced Viola Davis is iconic always delivering one of real life characters matt is good the story of Jordan air is inspired by Real event and showcasing how to become great or the road to greatness with a lot of sacrifice and dedication to what we love and do Ben tackling this project is perfectly his speciallty giving it his best and bring it to life and shows how passionate his to filmmaking as he cover all of it from acting writing producing and directing hope to see more of his work in future why not another batman under him.
Another reason why he's the GOAT
FeastMode6 April 2023
I know this movie isn't specifically about Michael Jordan, but this story is more proof of why he's the greatest of all time. It's crazy how much impact a single person can have. Not just on a sport, but on an entire industry. Even getting this movie made was most likely due to the draw his name still holds.
As for the movie itself, it's a fairly standard based-on-true-events movie. It's well-made with good characters and performances by the star-studded cast. It's pretty funny, especially Ben Affleck's outfits. The story is mostly well-told, although it meanders a little at the end.
I had a good time with this movie. It's not something I see myself revisiting, but I think most will enjoy it.
(1 viewing, opening Wednesday 4/5/2023)
As for the movie itself, it's a fairly standard based-on-true-events movie. It's well-made with good characters and performances by the star-studded cast. It's pretty funny, especially Ben Affleck's outfits. The story is mostly well-told, although it meanders a little at the end.
I had a good time with this movie. It's not something I see myself revisiting, but I think most will enjoy it.
(1 viewing, opening Wednesday 4/5/2023)
Disappointing and actually somewhat misleading.
philpriestley17 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Ok - this does not feel like a $90 million film. Let's get that out there. Where did the money go?
For content, you could go and watch Netflix 'The Last Dance', and 'One Man and His Shoes' - both of which handle the same topic and seem to do so more robustly. If you care to read up on the topic, perhaps read 'Michael Jordan: The Life' (Roland Lazenby) which is a pretty solid and thorough account too. The more you read and watch, the more the cracks appear in 'Air'.
This presents Nike as the 'little guy' who couldn't afford the big draft names (shades of Moneyball) - they took an inexplicable long shot on the hunt of main character (Sonny) and in doing so they rewrote the history of basketball shoes and the crossover culture that happened in the 1990s, which endures today. In order to make this narrative stick they seek to persuade you that Converse and Adidas were both going to offer more money to Jordan. This is a paradox because in doing so they contradict the narrative that Jordan was a long shot. You have two confusing messages - one that he was this huge gamble, the other that he wasn't and that landing him (no pun intended) Nike pulled off a ridiculous coup that stole him away from the more established competition (edging them out).
Truth be told, the actual exponents of the deal have been interviewed and they have spoken to camera. Adidas were not in the hunt with any serious petition to take Jordan. The company founder had died and the organisation was struggling to refocus. They didn't make a meaningful offer for a shoe endorsement but did offer Jordan free shoes. Converse had Magic Johnson and Larry Bird - but neither were were paid the money that was put in front of Jordan. Suggestions are that he got twice what they were on PLUS a cut of the sales revenue too. Bird and Johnson did not get that (something that Johnson lamented). Charles Barkley has spoken since saying that when he did his deal with Nike, Jordan advised him to ask for less cash up front, and Barkley reduced his cash advance from $3,000,000 to $1,000,000 - in return for lucrative share options in Nike instead (he made a rich return). Converse were complacent about the state of the market - they didn't have any inkling about what Nike were going to do to upset the apple cart.
*spoiler alert*
Jordan did not sign with Nike because of a fancy, inspiring speech in the boardroom or because Jordan's mother looked deep into the eyes of someone and trusted him, or because they found a connection on how they saw the future... Jordan signed with Nike because they offered him a deal that represented an avalanche of cash that even outweighed his contract with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan wanted a car (true) - a red Mercedes - what Nike offered was easily enough for Jordan to buy his own (even based on modest projections and expectations in the deal).
I guess all this would lack the romance or inspiration that a Nike/Jordan tribute piece would seek to convey. It really was like that though. This is the church of Capitalism. Yes - Nike took a big risk (Jordan might not have fulfilled that potential) - but they both got rich when it paid off.
The Converse/Adidas chase is almost irrelevant and is used only to build dramatic tension. In reality, once the deal got the green light to go ahead from Phil Knight the ridiculous nature of the gamble was enough to blow the competition out of the water. The film needs that tension though, so they just made it up.
Another matter is Jordan's mother pulling out the "My son deserves a piece of the gross" at the eleventh hour. What they are trying to do is encapsulate the fact that Jordan's mother was a business savvy lady who could see what her son couldn't at a critical time (he was young) - he was worth more than a red Mercedes and times were changing. She could see why the Nike deal was superior, and she was the person to win over if you wanted to sign Michael Jordan. This being said, the deal on the table included 25% for Michael right out of the gate, and in fact sources in Nike have said that they'd have readjusted the deal to give him less cash and 50% if he had asked (which would have cost them a fortune). There was (again *spoiler alert*) no shock phone call that realigned the whole of the sports shoe industry due to is mother. Again - the film just needed that tension I guess - but it's fake.
Central character - 'Sonny' is an Italian American. His appearance and business style was not linked to Mafia, but leaned into the reputation of Italian American business and almost put Jordan off (according to sources) because Jordan thought he might be linked. This was omitted entirely. I like Matt Damon but his frankly wooden and generic portrayal did not bring me close to his actual character at all. Does anyone watch this and get the impression that the guy putting this deal together was Italian American?
The film is heavily reductive. Sonny Vaccaro was a details guy - he knew basketball - he did not come up with the idea of taking Michael Jordan because he saw his college NCAA championship winning 3 point shot a few extra times.
The Nike 'swoosh' did not cost Phil Knight $30. He did pay a small, nominal amount to the designer - but he also gave stock options that came to be worth millions.
I could go on.
There is enough to seriously undermine the credentials of how this is presented. It's saccharine. It's a kids film. It's a lightweight portrayal that ruffles no feathers and makes people feel good.
If you're not serious about the subject - and you don't mind a foggy, misty eyed retelling because you just want a bang average film to watch in the evening - yeah, ok. You could do worse.
If you actually want to know what happened, well I'm not saying I do know exactly what happened, but I am saying it didn't go down like this. You know this didn't happen.
Further more, there isn't one outstanding performance in the whole film. Not one character is given the space or the material for a decent portrayal, for an actor to shine. There is nothing in the direction of the film that isn't completely vanilla and beige and safe.
People lining up saying it's an 8 or a 9 ranked film have never probably seen a really great film, because their scale is thoroughly broken. I'd be amping this up to tell you it is a solid 6. It's not - it's a TV movie 3.
For content, you could go and watch Netflix 'The Last Dance', and 'One Man and His Shoes' - both of which handle the same topic and seem to do so more robustly. If you care to read up on the topic, perhaps read 'Michael Jordan: The Life' (Roland Lazenby) which is a pretty solid and thorough account too. The more you read and watch, the more the cracks appear in 'Air'.
This presents Nike as the 'little guy' who couldn't afford the big draft names (shades of Moneyball) - they took an inexplicable long shot on the hunt of main character (Sonny) and in doing so they rewrote the history of basketball shoes and the crossover culture that happened in the 1990s, which endures today. In order to make this narrative stick they seek to persuade you that Converse and Adidas were both going to offer more money to Jordan. This is a paradox because in doing so they contradict the narrative that Jordan was a long shot. You have two confusing messages - one that he was this huge gamble, the other that he wasn't and that landing him (no pun intended) Nike pulled off a ridiculous coup that stole him away from the more established competition (edging them out).
Truth be told, the actual exponents of the deal have been interviewed and they have spoken to camera. Adidas were not in the hunt with any serious petition to take Jordan. The company founder had died and the organisation was struggling to refocus. They didn't make a meaningful offer for a shoe endorsement but did offer Jordan free shoes. Converse had Magic Johnson and Larry Bird - but neither were were paid the money that was put in front of Jordan. Suggestions are that he got twice what they were on PLUS a cut of the sales revenue too. Bird and Johnson did not get that (something that Johnson lamented). Charles Barkley has spoken since saying that when he did his deal with Nike, Jordan advised him to ask for less cash up front, and Barkley reduced his cash advance from $3,000,000 to $1,000,000 - in return for lucrative share options in Nike instead (he made a rich return). Converse were complacent about the state of the market - they didn't have any inkling about what Nike were going to do to upset the apple cart.
*spoiler alert*
Jordan did not sign with Nike because of a fancy, inspiring speech in the boardroom or because Jordan's mother looked deep into the eyes of someone and trusted him, or because they found a connection on how they saw the future... Jordan signed with Nike because they offered him a deal that represented an avalanche of cash that even outweighed his contract with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan wanted a car (true) - a red Mercedes - what Nike offered was easily enough for Jordan to buy his own (even based on modest projections and expectations in the deal).
I guess all this would lack the romance or inspiration that a Nike/Jordan tribute piece would seek to convey. It really was like that though. This is the church of Capitalism. Yes - Nike took a big risk (Jordan might not have fulfilled that potential) - but they both got rich when it paid off.
The Converse/Adidas chase is almost irrelevant and is used only to build dramatic tension. In reality, once the deal got the green light to go ahead from Phil Knight the ridiculous nature of the gamble was enough to blow the competition out of the water. The film needs that tension though, so they just made it up.
Another matter is Jordan's mother pulling out the "My son deserves a piece of the gross" at the eleventh hour. What they are trying to do is encapsulate the fact that Jordan's mother was a business savvy lady who could see what her son couldn't at a critical time (he was young) - he was worth more than a red Mercedes and times were changing. She could see why the Nike deal was superior, and she was the person to win over if you wanted to sign Michael Jordan. This being said, the deal on the table included 25% for Michael right out of the gate, and in fact sources in Nike have said that they'd have readjusted the deal to give him less cash and 50% if he had asked (which would have cost them a fortune). There was (again *spoiler alert*) no shock phone call that realigned the whole of the sports shoe industry due to is mother. Again - the film just needed that tension I guess - but it's fake.
Central character - 'Sonny' is an Italian American. His appearance and business style was not linked to Mafia, but leaned into the reputation of Italian American business and almost put Jordan off (according to sources) because Jordan thought he might be linked. This was omitted entirely. I like Matt Damon but his frankly wooden and generic portrayal did not bring me close to his actual character at all. Does anyone watch this and get the impression that the guy putting this deal together was Italian American?
The film is heavily reductive. Sonny Vaccaro was a details guy - he knew basketball - he did not come up with the idea of taking Michael Jordan because he saw his college NCAA championship winning 3 point shot a few extra times.
The Nike 'swoosh' did not cost Phil Knight $30. He did pay a small, nominal amount to the designer - but he also gave stock options that came to be worth millions.
I could go on.
There is enough to seriously undermine the credentials of how this is presented. It's saccharine. It's a kids film. It's a lightweight portrayal that ruffles no feathers and makes people feel good.
If you're not serious about the subject - and you don't mind a foggy, misty eyed retelling because you just want a bang average film to watch in the evening - yeah, ok. You could do worse.
If you actually want to know what happened, well I'm not saying I do know exactly what happened, but I am saying it didn't go down like this. You know this didn't happen.
Further more, there isn't one outstanding performance in the whole film. Not one character is given the space or the material for a decent portrayal, for an actor to shine. There is nothing in the direction of the film that isn't completely vanilla and beige and safe.
People lining up saying it's an 8 or a 9 ranked film have never probably seen a really great film, because their scale is thoroughly broken. I'd be amping this up to tell you it is a solid 6. It's not - it's a TV movie 3.
This is how biopics should be made
varun-250719976 April 2023
Ben Affleck directs a wonderful film which is earnest, self aware and a crowd pleaser. Air has colorful cinematography, good one liners, constant highs and lows to keep the balance, an underdog rising to the top, a brief look at the marketing department in the sports Industry and finally the inspirational monologue from our protagonist. Basically it sticks to the basics and that's why it works.
Matt Damon carries his Ford vs Ferrari energy and plays the role of Sonny without any struggle. When biopics today are full of forced transformations, over the top acting, bad prosthetics and Oscar bait to the core. Air gives us a lesson on how it to make it actually enjoyable and tell a true story.
Matt Damon carries his Ford vs Ferrari energy and plays the role of Sonny without any struggle. When biopics today are full of forced transformations, over the top acting, bad prosthetics and Oscar bait to the core. Air gives us a lesson on how it to make it actually enjoyable and tell a true story.
Ben is back
masonsaul7 April 2023
Air is incredible, it's a feel good fact based story that's a testament to listening to the individual over the committee and the need to take risks to maintain creativity whilst also showing the dangers and possible selfishness should those risks backfire. It reaffirms Ben Affleck as a superb director as well as actor & writer.
Matt Damon gives a really confident lead performance, delivering over the top speeches with emotional conviction so they always work and still has plenty of fun with it. Ben Affleck wisely chooses not to turn it into a vanity project whenever he's on screen, instead sending himself up every time he's present to great effect.
Viola Davis is an EGOT now and is obviously flawless, bringing the grace and screen presence that she has in spades. Jason Bateman is great, easygoing at first before revealing a more vulnerable core that adds so much to his performance.
Chris Messina is a lot of fun as someone fully aware of their unlikeable nature (his rant is really funny and just keeps going), Marlon Wayans only gets one scene but it is absolutely necessary and it's so nice to see Chris Tucker again, proving he's still got that boundless energy.
Ben Affleck's direction is fantastic, embracing the 80s commercialism and utilises just the right amount of those documentary techniques becoming more common to enhance the performances rather than detract. The soundtrack may be a cheap win as a constant stream of iconic 80s needle drops but it really works.
Matt Damon gives a really confident lead performance, delivering over the top speeches with emotional conviction so they always work and still has plenty of fun with it. Ben Affleck wisely chooses not to turn it into a vanity project whenever he's on screen, instead sending himself up every time he's present to great effect.
Viola Davis is an EGOT now and is obviously flawless, bringing the grace and screen presence that she has in spades. Jason Bateman is great, easygoing at first before revealing a more vulnerable core that adds so much to his performance.
Chris Messina is a lot of fun as someone fully aware of their unlikeable nature (his rant is really funny and just keeps going), Marlon Wayans only gets one scene but it is absolutely necessary and it's so nice to see Chris Tucker again, proving he's still got that boundless energy.
Ben Affleck's direction is fantastic, embracing the 80s commercialism and utilises just the right amount of those documentary techniques becoming more common to enhance the performances rather than detract. The soundtrack may be a cheap win as a constant stream of iconic 80s needle drops but it really works.
See also
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