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Kevin Bacon, Winston Ntshona, Sean McCann, Dennis Patrick, Nigel Miguel ... see more see more... , Daphne Ashbrook , Ken Gampu , John Matshikiza , Yolanda Vasquez , Mali Finn , Ramolao Makhene , John Lesley , Don Finn , Vitelbo Vazquez , Falconer Abraham , Vusi Kunene , Eric Menyuk

It's off to Africa for a former B-ball player who'd like to find a top-notch basketball recruit to help him become a successful coach. Kevin Bacon has the lead in this Paul Glaser-directed film. ~ Rov... read more read more...i

Flixster Users

32% liked it

19,405 ratings

Critics

21% liked it

28 critics

PG, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: Paul Michael Glaser

Release Date: January 7, 1994

Keywords: kevin bacon

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DVD Release Date: November 11, 2003

Stats: 356 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (356)

  • sanjurosamurai
    January 15, 2011
    sanjurosamurai
    this was a really fun movie. there were cheesy parts that would never fly in movies now, but it was heart warming and entertaining. i like this flick.
  • FilmFanatik
    February 23, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    Forgot it.
  • fb619846742
    October 19, 2009
    fb619846742
    Not bad, but very forgettable.
  • stormyweather980
    September 14, 2009
    stormyweather980
    Jimmy Dolan (Kevin Bacon), a basketball coach, isn't having that great of a start with finding skillful new players to be on his soon-to-be team at St. Joe's college. However, after seeing a video of an African basketball player who really has some hang time, Jimmy decides that h... read moree's getting up and taking a trip to Africa, in order to try and recruit this phenomenon.
    But little does Jimmy know that the basketball player he sees in the film is next in line to become head of his tribe. Therefore, it probably won't be all that easy to get this overly skilled basketball player to go to America and play at St. Joe's.

    "The Air Up There" is a good movie. Like it says on the box, it is "lots of fun." Kevin Bacon does a good job, and the movie never ceases to be entertaining. But, unfortunately for major basketball fans like me, there's just not quite enough basketball action included in the film. It's more of Kevin Bacon trying to fit into a new culture in order to impress his recruit, than it is about playing basketball.

    But other than that, "The Air Up There" really is a good movie. If you like basketball films or just good movies, I recommend getting it. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2001. This movie was ok, not anything special though.
  • puffchunk
    March 10, 2008
    puffchunk
    Another childhood movie. Can't say it was great.
  • deano
    August 12, 2007
    deano
    Exciting and funny about an aggressive college-basketball coach tries to recruit a Kenyan tribesman in a predictable, Rocky-type comedy adventure about global sports imperialism.
  • jayrunham
    August 19, 2006
    jayrunham
    good old fashoined movie... classic almost... kevin bacon isn't amazing in the role by any stretch.. but its a fun basketball story... and i'm a sucker for a basketball flick... fun stuff
  • Surfer567Rosa
    June 12, 2009
    Surfer567Rosa
    yeah, so, i think i've seen the air up there more than the average person...

    not proud of it, just a fact.
  • AndySitzerFan
    May 22, 2008
    AndySitzerFan
    I saw this movie 2x in theaters as a kid. I LOVED THIS MOVIE. I haven't seen it in years. For that reason its getting a sold 4 star rating.
  • Hamee
    May 7, 2008
    Hamee
    I believe that this is perhaps one of my most favorite Kevin Bacon movies. I am glad that he finally got over himself by the end of this movie and realized that you can't always get your own way.

View All The Air Up There Reviews

Critic Reviews

Brian Lowry
March 24, 2008
Brian Lowry, Variety

Working a bit too hard to send the crowd into a frenzy, the action in this basketball-oriented yarn isn't exactly fantastic, but it is mildly entertaining. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Children may find this funny, but the film isn't geared to very young audiences. It includes much more violence and profanity than its PG rating indicates. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Like the multitude of Disney visitors to Africa before (and after) him, he must learn to respect the noble savages he wishes to exploit. Saleh and his Winabis are not for sale -- at least, not immedia... Full Review

David Mills
January 1, 2000
David Mills, Washington Post

Neither Max Apple's script nor Paul M. Glaser's direction succeeds in convincing you that these characters live, or that this story has anything to do with any thing. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

A lightweight, brainless family movie chronicling the triumph of the underdog. Full Review

Randy White
January 2, 2011
Randy White, Common Sense Media

Offensive, shop-worn comedy. Full Review

Jane Stefanski
March 24, 2008
Jane Stefanski, Empire Magazine

However average it is, it still passes an hour and a half. Full Review

March 24, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

It's pure formula from start to finish. Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

Give or take the odd spot of predictable arrogance, however, it's a good-humoured, good-hearted film. Full Review

Fred Topel
July 14, 2003
Fred Topel, About.com

Wonderful sports comedy full of inspiring moments and exciting basketball action.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Air Up There Trivia

  • "It is a curious thing, the death of a loved one. It's like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking that there's one more stair then there actually is. Your foot falls down through the air, and there's a sickly moment of dark surprise."  Answer »
  • What was the name of the college that employed Kevin Bacon in the film "the Air Up There"?  Answer »
  • In the movie Air Heads. What did they fill up there water guns with?  Answer »
  • In the film The Air Up There which town does Kevin Bacon find his basket ball player?  Answer »
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