‘Air’ review: Michael Jordan sneaker movie the year’s best so far

May a brand new film about Air Jordan footwear, of all issues, develop into the yr’s sneaker hit? 

Amazon Studios’ robustly entertaining, real-life drama undoubtedly has the makings of 1. It’s far and away essentially the most likable movie launched thus far this yr.

There’s a starry forged led by Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck, who additionally directs his finest film since “Argo” 11 years in the past. 

And since “Stranger Issues,” viewers have been falling onerous for retro Eighties settings.

“Air” takes place in 1984 Beaverton, Oregon — Nike’s far-flung Pacific Northwest headquarters — the place Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” blares and new wired telephones in vehicles are straight outta “The Jetsons.”

In fact, the highly effective presence of Michael Jordan — arguably the best basketball participant of all time — is at all times palpable, though we by no means see the face of the actor (Damian Delano Younger) who performs younger Jordan. The eventual Chicago Bulls capturing guard utters solely a single phrase over the movie’s practically two hours: “Good day.”

However most interesting is the story of the scrappy method a bona fide piece of recent Americana got here to be — it’s a retail story of tales — and the way a lot quirky enjoyable “Air” has with dramatizing what is basically a sequence of occasions at an workplace constructing.

Very similar to the best way 2021’s “King Richard” explores the origins of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams by the struggles of their coach father, “Air” explains Jordan’s nascent fame by his now-iconic footwear. 

So, “Air” is de facto an underdog sports activities film masquerading as a shoe film. Name it “Shoosiers.”

Our hungry staff is the schlubs at Nike, the athletic clothes firm that in 1984 was a distant third to Converse and Adidas within the shoe market.

Hardly cash-rich, the corporate struggled to signal promising rookies to put on its footwear, so govt Sonny Vaccaro (Damon) got here up with a revolutionary thought.

To snag hotshot Jordan from the College of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lure him away from deep-pocketed opponents, Nike wouldn’t merely slap the model on Jordan — they might design and market an entire new product across the phenom.

“He doesn’t put on the shoe,” says Vaccaro, channeling Mr. Miyagi. “He’s the shoe. The shoe is him.” 

Doubling down on his hunch, he tells Nike founder Phil Knight (Affleck), “I’m keen to wager my profession on it.” Good wager!

The Nike crew is rounded out by Bateman (characteristically dry) as Rob Strasser, Nike’s deflated advertising director; Chris Tucker (good to see ya!) as govt Howard White; and Matthew Maher (a “Simpsons” character come to life) as Peter Moore, the person who designed the Air Jordan.

Alex Convery’s sensible script is humorous and insightful, however at all times has one foot sooner or later.

For instance, the terrific Davis, enjoying Jordan’s artful mother, Deloris, says, “It received’t be the NBA selling my son — it’ll be the opposite method round.” You half anticipate a fireworks show to begin at that very second.

A meaner critic would possibly chide dialogue like this for being written with an imaginary drumroll behind it. However giving a film that’s mainly a couple of fitness center shoe precise emotional heft, as Affleck and Convery have managed to do, is definitely worth the weighty monologues. I acquired chills each time.

“Air” belongs to Damon by way of minutes. He’s dogged but unassuming as Vaccaro, whereas the character rebelliously flies to North Carolina to pay a shock go to to Michael’s dad and mom, going in opposition to business norms. 

And his intense eleventh-hour speech to Michael about what his lasting NBA legacy shall be is a stunner.

Nonetheless, Damon’s not a showoff. The forged is a finely tuned staff of equals, and no person has the gall to be like Mike. Affleck is simply kooky sufficient because the Zen, barefoot Knight. And Chris Messina can also be hilarious as Jordan’s foul-mouthed agent David Falk. He’s like Jeremy Piven as Ari on “Entourage,” solely tolerable.

Be you a fan of basketball or basket weaving, “Air” will snugly match the tastes of nearly anyone.