The Air Up There (1994)

Kevin Bacon stars in this quickie sports film that's really more a culture-clash comedy. He plays an assistant coach at the college-basketball level who's looking for that big, big recruiting score and finds it in a distant African village. But his quarry, a seven-footer (Charles Gitona Maina) he spots in an anthropology film, turns out to be the prince of his tribe who's in line for the crown and has no interest in becoming fodder for Sports Center. So it's up to the callous American to convince him that he wants to give this all up to live in a dorm and chase coeds (while, of course, honoring his ancestors). Unfortunately, the jokes are stale and the basketball footage is nothing to get excited about. --Marshall Fine Amazon.com

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Except for the presence of Kevin Bacon, whom I like a lot, this would have been a real loser. There were so many things wrong. Directed by Paul Glaser with no surprises, no depth of character, a too heavy-handed Hollywood scenario. You knew what was coming a mile away. There was good cinematography and music, and Kevin Bacon is always appealing, but that's the best I can say. Oh, and the nun. She was pretty good too. The lead black man was also engaging; the problem was really the script. Too pat, and too many unbelievable things that screamed "Hollywood". Like when the village burned down. They were ready to just up and leave where they'd lived for generations. As if it takes generations to rebuild their houses. And there were no signs of the burned buildings during the basketball game. And Bacon was supposed to climb this incredible mountain, get cut in the groin, then play basketball, all on a rotten knee. Please. April 4, 2006

Fun at Full TILT!

Grab your garden hose and a top hat because The air up there is finally on DVD! This action adventure has more twists and turns than a funnal cake factory and more laughs than than all the Ernest movies combined! The ending will leave you breathless and wanting more! Trust Me this movie is genuine! July 17, 2005

AMAZING ! ! ! ! !

This has got to be one of the best movies I have watched in a long time! At some point in time, you have to get tired of all the synthetic and predictable stuff that hollywood spews and this movie is the break that hollywood needs ! The setting is spectacular, done in Kenya and I personally fell in love with Kenyan cheerleading; the maasai dances, the passion and energy of the people are all so refreshingly different ! I would recommend this to anyone who wants to watch a fantastic movie ! May 23, 2004

The Best Movie!

I First saw the movie with my cousin & Mother in a hotel it was the best movie then i saw it again today 1/14/04 on TNT right now i want to buy it for DVD. it is the best movie i ever saw i give it 5 stars:) even though i don't have it on VHS or DVD February 15, 2004

Airs on Air

How did they do that? The most heart warming story about basketball ever. Did the actor really score or was it a basketball player that did a great job of acting? I guess we'll never know. Worth the price for the DVD. A must for your collection. December 27, 2003

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