Wondering if AIR is ok for kids? AIR is a movie about courting Michael Jordan to make a deal with Nike when Nike was not on top. We all know how this story ends, but I was buying what this underdog story was selling. Is AIR kid friendly? There’s a lot of harsh language and some crude references, but also a lot of lessons to to be learned. Here’s what parents need to know in this AIR Parents Guide.
AIR Parents Guide
In 1984, Nike is not really a cool brand. It’s known for its running shoes, but in the basketball world, Adidas and Converse reign supreme. Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) is Nike’s talent scout and really wants to pursue rookie Michael Jordan. However, Michael does not want Nike and is almost certain to sign with Adidas.
Another problem is Sonny needs all the budget that is supposed to be for 3 potential player deals, and he hasn’t had a lot of wins lately. So Nike CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) is reluctant to make such a risky move.
With jobs on the line, Sonny ignores advice and protocol to make this revolutionary deal with Michael and tries to win over the family, including protective mama Deloris Jordan (Viola Davis). She knows her son’s worth. And frankly so does Sonny.
Age Rating: Why is AIR Rated R?
AIR is rated R for strong language and suggestive material which means some content may not be suitable for kids under 17.
Language in AIR
Language and profanity are the biggest concerns in AIR for kids and teens. After 30 uses of the f-word in different variations, including one particular f-filled scene, I stopped counting. There are also many uses of sh*t, damn, a**, a**hole, hell, and words of Deity like g-ddammit and Jesus.
Mature Content: Is AIR OK for Teens?
There is no nudity in AIR, but there are some sexual references. One character makes a motion of masturbation with his hand. One scene in a restroom shows a man sitting on a toilet with his pants down and another at a urinal. Phrases like balls, nut sack, nut-hugging, and “I will eat your nuts” are used.
A character is made fun of for his weight including the use of the phrase “fat f*ck.”
A character refers to Adidas as “All day I dream about sex.”
Characters mention herpes.
Is the Air Movie Appropriate for Kids Under 17?
In the movie AIR you can expect a lot of bad language and some raunchy references. To sum it up, AIR is kid friendly for ages 16 and older. It really depends on your feelings of the use of profanity. In some households, the age recommendation could be older or younger.
AIR is a good and entertaining story, more like a movie about advertising a la Mad Men, and not quite as sexist. Not necessarily a sports film, but it will appeal to basketball fans. I found myself rooting for the dudes who are now wealthy and have me paying $150+ for sneakers for my kids. Freaking geniuses.
Chris Tucker. How I’ve missed him. The whole cast had me rolling. Some scenes were a bit over the top; sorry people, I did not love the Chris Messina raunchy expletive-filled tirade as Michael’s agent, David Falk. You’ll know which one I’m talking about. But that’s also not my style of humor. I’m a fan of subtlety.
Viola Davis stole the show for me. Her commitment and love of her son was seen in every movement, facial expression, and word. Deloris Jordan believed in Michael’s greatness, something she shared in common with Sonny. Sometimes the speeches got a little preachy, but when you’re talking about the GOAT, sometimes drama is needed. The whole cast complements each other well.
AIR is also a lot of fun with similarities to Jerry Maguire and even Ford v Ferrari in regards to tenacity. I’m the horrible type of person who skips to the endings of books when I am desperate to know the conclusion. The mark of a good story for me is knowing the ending, but still being engaged enough with the characters to finish the rest of the story. That was AIR.
AIR is full of drama, humor, and heart. While not a total slam dunk, it’s pretty close.
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