Review: ‘Air’ is the Underdog Story That Gen Z Desperately Needs
Powerhouse duo Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite to tell Air Jordan’s origin story.
(Illustration by Vedang Lambe via Washington Square News)
by Olivia Condell
This story was originally published on New York University’s Washington Square News.
The year is 1984. Eddie Murphy just starred in “Beverly Hills Cop,” Los Angeles is hosting the Summer Olympic games, gas prices are cheaper than ever, and Prince Harry was just born. That very same year, a scrawny shooting guard from North Carolina named Michael Jordan was drafted onto the Chicago Bulls.
“Air” is an homage to the ’80s. It sees Nike’s failing basketball shoe division rescued by Jordan’s iconic shoe brand. Jordan’s success with the brand exemplified Nike’s overall goal of constantly rooting for the unexpected underdogs. At Nike, it was never about winning. Rather, what really mattered was effort.
“Air” shows the noble act of persistence, and is a story seldom told to those in Generation Z.
Set in the offices within Nike’s headquarters, the film lacks visual aesthetics but makes up for it with both a witty screenplay and strong character dynamics. Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) is an out-of-shape, middle-aged man who is obsessed with basketball, serving as a sports marketing executive working with Nike. His pitch to sign Jordan is bold and virtually impossible, as Nike does not have the money nor the commercial appeal for the rising star. Vaccaro’s colleagues, including Nike co-founder and CEO, Phil Knight (Ben Affleck), are well aware of this fact.
Read the rest of the story at Washington Square News.