The upcoming sports drama Air had its world premiere at South by Southwest this weekend, and the early reactions are incredibly encouraging.
The dramatized telling of how Nike landed Michael Jordan for the legendary Air Jordan shoe deal comes from actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck, who directs and plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight in the project.
Affleck’s longtime collaborator and buddy Matt Damon plays Nike employee Sonny Vaccaro, who worked to get Jordan on board for the shoe deal that changed both of their lives.
Affleck showed the film at the Austin, Texas, film festival on Saturday, and the early returns are quite encouraging. Affleck and the Air team got a standing ovation from the SXSW crowd.
Ben Affleck’s #AIR just got probably the biggest standing ovation of #SXSW pic.twitter.com/5PpkIlCFEk
— Sergio Muñoz Esquer @ SXSW (@ElSergioMunoz) March 19, 2023
Affleck seemed to really hype up the importance of the film premiere in the grand scheme of his career.
"Tonight is the most important night of my professional life." Ben Affleck returns to Austin 30 years after Dazed & Confused for #SXSW closing night film Air. pic.twitter.com/zg3z6rugL8
— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 19, 2023
In his review, Variety critic Peter Debruge called it “this generation’s Jerry Maguire.”
‘Air’ Review: Ben Affleck Turns Nike’s Quest to Sign Michael Jordan Into This Generation’s ‘Jerry Maguire’ https://t.co/0gGN7wZvje
— Variety (@Variety) March 19, 2023
More reactions praised the cast, Affleck’s direction and the film’s uplifting message.
SXSW 2023 went out on the highest note with “AIR” — EXCELLENT MOVIE! A rousing, feel-good crowd-pleaser about risk, trust, confidence & family! AMAZING CAST & BEN AFFLECK directed the hell out of it! It’s a SLAM DUNK & the BEST MOVIE of the year so far, by far! #AIR #SXSW pic.twitter.com/2Az4cVUJAi
— Scott Mantz (@MovieMantz) March 19, 2023
BIG, BIG CONGRATS to BEN AFFLECK on a really spectacular job directing “AIR!” What an AMAZING MOVIE, and what a perfect film to close out SXSW 2023! I loved it as much as I love “ARGO” (and I really LOVE “ARGO”)! #AIR #SXSW pic.twitter.com/zgS7NfMf3C
— Scott Mantz (@MovieMantz) March 19, 2023
Funny, energetic, and beautifully written, AIR is an absolute winner. The large ensemble cast delivers powerful performances, but it’s Ben Affleck’s unbeatable optimism as a storyteller that shines. He champions not just Michael Jordan but all the people who believe in him #SXSW pic.twitter.com/Iz1mKPQQ7b
— kevin l. lee @SXSW (@Klee_FilmReview) March 19, 2023
Wow! #AIR is an impeccable biopic! Ben Affleck transforms a story that we already know into something not only engaging but also exciting. The film talks about not only this legendary deal but also the problem of exploitation of the image and likeness of young athletes… pic.twitter.com/kAGUmTaM0a
— Sergio Muñoz Esquer @ SXSW (@ElSergioMunoz) March 19, 2023
Ben Affleck’s ‘AIR’ is one of the best experiences I've had in a movie theater.
Entertaining, Hilarious, Hopeful, and the best movie of the year so far. Ben Affleck is amazing and extraordinary as a Director. #AirMovie #SXSW #SXSW2023 #Air
Full review soon. pic.twitter.com/n5DoEgZGOp
— The Hollywood Handle (@hollywoodhandle) March 19, 2023
AIR: Chalk another win for Ben Affleck. The ensemble is great, top to bottom. Does well balancing the Nike of it all with MJ’s signing, finding a thematic core about the milestone in sports merchandising history. #SXSW pic.twitter.com/bHaRXtb9GY
— Matt Donato (@DoNatoBomb) March 19, 2023
AIR is lifted by an incredible cast! Damon, Davis, and Affleck are particularly fantastic! Lots of cheer-worthy sequences, the ending is VERY strong. Affleck put a lot of heart into this. #SXSW2023 #Air pic.twitter.com/o9GOR9y7CT
— Shadan Larki @ #SXSW (@ShadanLarki) March 19, 2023
Well, AIR is the feel-good end that #SXSW2023 deserved. A plucky, fun sports movie that plays like Moneyball's more optimistic brother. pic.twitter.com/8H2HBP35No
— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 19, 2023
AIR is a slam dunk! Affleck successfully captured Nike’s heartwarming & hilarious marketing journey for the Air Jordan. it’s a fantastic underdog story with amazing acting, music & a perfect homage to the NBA legend as well as his sweet & savvy mother. #sxsw2023 @airmovie
— Marisa Mirabal (@Marisa_Mirabal) March 19, 2023
#AIR is a absolute winner! A movie about the belief people can have in one another when you push boundaries and have faith that gambles can pay off. Affleck’s steady direction shines along an all star cast, with Matt Damon and Viola Davis standing out. Go see this movie!! pic.twitter.com/9WkgDlbklZ
— Ryan McQuade @ #SXSW2023 (@ryanmcquade77) March 19, 2023
#AIRMovie REVIEW: An EMOTIONAL triumph! Ben Affleck does it again, directing a well crafted film with EXCELLENT performances that will blow you in more ways than one. WOW. This isn’t just another sports movie, it’s one of the best biopics ever! A journey what’s next #SXSW #Nike pic.twitter.com/Z1QoB1MjDR
— Atom (@theatomreview) March 19, 2023
#Air Review: Ben Affleck's story of Nike's quest to sign Michael Jordan soars thanks to an impeccable ensemble and solid craftsmanship. #SXSW https://t.co/cVp5Km1rM3
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) March 19, 2023
Air Jordan gets the Moneyball treatment with Ben Affleck's crowd-pleasing Air. #SXSW https://t.co/IcnJs7uzu4
— /Film (@slashfilm) March 19, 2023
The good guys win in Ben Affleck's charming origin story for the Air Jordan. #SXSW https://t.co/Tsm0Tx4V57
— Austin Chronicle (@AustinChronicle) March 19, 2023
If you’re excited to check out Air, it’ll hit theaters nationwide on April 5.
