Air is a competent dad movie with driven dialogue, enjoyable characters, and consistent humor. The acting is fun while staying grounded. Damon's likable sincerity anchors while the ensemble is differentiated (Davis does much with scant screen time). There's a concise plot, callbacks, and refreshing NBA knowledge. It includes themes about worker empowerment, individual expression, and risk-taking. However, the film is limited by inherent predictability, corporate glorification, and shallow formulas. While the climactic speech might work for some, others will find it cheesy and hollow. As much as Air wants to be about an inspired revolution, it's also a Nike puff piece.
Technically, Air is fair. Its direction has strong emotional tones and momentum, but its craft is mild. The needle-drop music is fitting yet lyrically blunt at times. Its production design is very 80s but mostly confined to forgettable offices. The editing uses montages, dissolves, inserts, archive footage, intercuts, pacing, and a time-lapse, yet it's sometimes overcut and unmotivated. Its prosthetic effects are a bit distracting, the cast is star-studded, and its sound adds touches of muffling, stings, smash cuts, and emphasis. The cinematography inconsistently utilizes depth, focus, motion, tracking, and composition. Overall, Air is little more than an adequate crowd-pleaser.
Writing: 7/10
Direction: 7/10
Cinematography: 6/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 7/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 9/10
Effects: 6/10
Overall Score: 7.1/10
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