It’s 1984, and all morale at Nike is shot to hell. Second fiddle to Converse and Addidas, CEO Phil Knight relies on Sonny Vaccaro to bring him young and hungry athletes. But Nike isn’t cool. Very much a gambling man, Vaccaro cashes in on a then-unknown Michael Jordan, setting the wheels in motion for Ben Affleck‘s ‘Air.’
After winning praise at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival and private screenings, the film is now available to stream on Amazon Prime. And yes, the hype is real for Ben Affleck’s Nike sports drama which plays like a high-stakes movie about a dream that never died. Whether you are a basketball fan, Ben Affleck as a director, or ever wore a pair of Jordans, this is the weekend movie for you.
Related: Why Michael Jordan Did Not Appear In Ben Affleck’s Sports Drama ‘Air’?
Top 5 Reasons To Watch Ben Affleck’s ‘Air’
1. Opening Montage
Ben Affleck’s sports drama opens with an electric montage that encapsulates the madness and electricity of the pop-culture moments that shaped the time. Set to ‘Money For Nothing’ by Dire Straits, the montage perfectly conveys the spirit of the change in the air.
2. Bumping Soundtrack
We bet getting all those great tracks must have cost a pretty penny on the licensing fee, but the soundtrack is worth it. Right from Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ to Mike + The Mechanics’ smash hit ‘All I Need is a Miracle,’ Affleck uses music for perfect needle drops and storytelling moments.
3. Terrific Ensemble Cast
Ben Affleck, as an actor-director, recognizes the talent behind and in front of the camera. In ‘Air,’ he fills every single role with memorable performances. Every performance, be it Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan, or a single scene appearance of Marlon Wayans as George Raveling- everyone brings their A-game.
In Case You Missed: ‘Air’: All Main Characters Of Ben Affleck’s Nike Drama Explained
4. Ben Affleck
You could fill a mountain with things Ben Affleck does wonderfully with this story of good old American capitalism and hustle. As a director, he nails the visual aesthetics of the 1980s and extracts stellar performances from his cast. But his portrayal of Phil Knight reminds you how great of an actor he is.
5. Everyone Gets Their Due
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have taken pains to ensure the most respectful version of the story is told. Often with biopics, there’s a chance that some people are written off. But ‘Air’ recognizes all the heroes in the precedent-setting sports endorsement between Nike and Michael Jordan.
You Might Also Like To Read: Viola Davis Reveals How She Coped With The Pressure Of Playing Michael Jordan’s Mother In ‘Air’
