Movies

What critics are saying about Ben Affleck’s ‘Air’

The new sports film follows Nike and Michael Jordan’s revolutionary partnership.

It’s official: critics are raving over the star-studded film ‘Air’, which is directed by Ben Affleck.

The film, which hit theaters on April 5, currently has a fresh critics score of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes after receiving over 140 reviews, as well as a 98 percent audience score.

The majority of the positive reviews revolve around Affleck’s spot-on casting choices, and the stunning performances given.

Speaking on Viola Davis bringing Deloris Jordan to life in the film, Peter Debruge from Variety said: “Casting Davis was the smartest thing Affleck could have done, as the EGOT winner is to acting what Jordan is to sports: Her strength inspires, and she can move us to tears while making it look easy.”

In another review, Marisa Mirabel from indieWire said ‘Air’ is “one of the best sports movies ever made.”

“Each actor in Affleck’s latest film gives a powerful and award winning performance. Air is a slam dunk and ultimately one of the best sports movies ever made,” she added.

“Affleck successfully captures Nike’s heartwarming and hilarious marketing journey while paying respectful homage to all involved. Air is a tremendous underdog story filled with lovable characters. It’s truly a film about legends made by legends.”

Affleck and Damon reflect on working together again

Although Affleck and Damon are now both A list actors, the pair have been vocal about their close relationship and work bond.

Both actors explained in a recent interview with CBS News, that part of the reason they took on this project was the fact that they got the chance to work together again.

“That was one of the things that we kind of wanted to do,” Affleck said, “The idea of, like, why aren’t we hanging out and spending more time together, since we managed to stay friends this whole time?”

“Plus, we hit our 50s,” Damon added on. “I mean, you can see the end of the tunnel!”

What is ‘Air’ about?

The movie’s official synopsis is as follows:

“From award-winning director Ben Affleck, AIR reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then-rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division, which revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand.

“This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time.”

Who stars in ‘Air’?

Apart from Ben Affleck both directing and acting in this project, the film stars other big names such as Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman, Julius Tennon, Marlon Wayans, Jessica Green, Chris Messina, Gustaf Skarsgård, Matthew Maher, Tom Papa, Barbara Sukowa and more.

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