Ben Affleck's 'Air' is a crowd-pleaser of the highest order

Witty screenplay, actors showcase makes sports drama an easy-going triumph.

Underdogs require inspiration, something they can look up at and admire from afar. Something to keep them honest. A goal or endgame that appears impossible, the longest of shots a human being can take. Basketball scout Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) bet everything he had (and what Nike had for that matter) on the idea that Michael Jordan-who was cut from his high school basketball team-wasn’t just another great basketball player.

Through stunned faces and constant second-guessing, Sonny never lost sight of this goal--an improbable one that only an underdog could shake off. Ben Affleck’s new film, Air, takes place in 1984, the summer that countless lives were changed forever. As far as sports dramas go, this one is a sweet swish through the net.

It’s an athletic stride for a filmmaker to pull off when telling a story everybody knows the ending to. Making it riveting is another level. There are few souls of a certain age point that have never uttered Jordan’s name or mentioned the illustrious shoes that made him a true legend, the very sneakers that Affleck’s film centers itself around. With a snappy screenplay and all-pro cast with a soundtrack that hums like an 80s carpet ride, Air adds timely rhythm to a story we think we know.

Affleck always assembles a great cast. Damon reminds you why he is a talented actor and genuine movie star with his rugged portrayal of Vaccaro, someone who left multiple imprints on the game. He’s told over the course of this 112-minute movie that what he wants to do is impossible, and Damon makes you believe every second of his plight. His real-life close friend/director of the movie gives him the proper spotlight to shine.

That’s what Affleck does with his films: giving the real juice of the show to other actors. The Town was a Jeremy Renner showcase. Gone Baby Gone was Casey Affleck’s car to drive. Argo was the John Goodman and Alan Arkin show. Live by Night was centered around Affleck, and failed critically and at the box office.

Air plays out like Steven Spielberg’s The Post, but in a high stakes sports hot box instead of a journalistic powder keg. It’s smooth and snappy, playing out naturally instead of constantly reminding us we are watching a flashy reenactment. Affleck plays to his strengths as an actor (he fits Phil Knight’s humble yet quirky soul perfectly) and filmmaker, filling the court with hitmakers.

Viola Davis packs a punch as Deloris Jordan, the mother you don’t even think about crossing. That’s not hyperbole--the actress’s cold stare matches Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s double eyeball scorch for ferocity. As the director said often during his press tour, she was the only one who could have played this woman correctly. Her and Damon share a lot of vital scenes, and it’s like watching teammates move in sync with each other.

Chris Tucker needs to be in more movies, because he can tickle the funny bone and hit a dramatic scene note equally well. Marlon Wayans is so good as George Raveling, the integral person in the Jordan/Nike relationship. Julius Tennon will break your heart and warm it up as James Jordan. Jason Bateman can do no wrong as Nike’s marketing rep who just wants to be a dad for four hours a week.

Everybody gets their moment, and nobody wastes our time here. Damon has a monologue near the end that should play as his Oscar reel. Air doesn’t merely recite a famous tale; it paints a whole new perspective on Jordan’s long-lasting impact that Sportscenter could never hope to reach. The tone is light, yet the message is unbridled with its directness.

The aesthetic is consistently strong. Affleck soaks the viewer in the time period with the costume, production design, and general vibe of the movie. Instead of showing a timecard and some flashy clothing, you are really transported.

Air meant to inspire and give you hope as the credits roll and your everyday life starts to clammer for attention again. It reminds you the world needs underdogs: human beings who don’t give a shit what the rules are or what a pair of shoes should represent or say. The idea that the world can be dark and dreary, but dreamers who can finish lift it up.

Throughout the movie, there’s a list of “must do things” imprinted across the screen or seen in the background. Motivationally driven, they guide Phil’s real life and Sonny’s quest. In order to be successful, you must have results. Air doesn’t need to be big and bold with its methods here; Affleck and company enrich an already flavorful tale with style and substance.

Michael Jordan wasn’t just a basketball player and his Air Jordan sneaker wasn’t just a shoe. Air isn’t just another could-be awards contender. It’s a crowd-pleaser of the highest order.

It’s in theaters today, and will stream on Amazon Prime soon.