Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

As someone who's never really been into sports, "The Air Up There" hardly seems like the sort of movie that I would like, but I did. When basketball talent scout Jimmy Dolan (Kevin Bacon) goes to Kenya to recruit a new player, he ends up finding Saleh, a chief's son whose skills exceed what anyone could have imagined. But before he moves to the states, there are some things that both sides are going to have to deal with.This movie is interesting mainly for two reasons: it's good to see a sports movie that's not all about machismo, and a movie that looks at Kenyan culture (not one that we usually get to see). The movie isn't really any kind of masterpiece, but it never pretends to be one. There are some scenes that look like they were thrown in for comic relief (namely the goat milk). Pretty interesting.

I do so hate sports. I despise sports. My eyes glaze over when a sports game or show comes on. I don't talk about sports.This should give you an idea of my expectations of this movie. However, it was early morning, I was up with little to do, so I settled back, half in the hope it would send me to sleep.How wrong I was! I enjoy Kevin Bacon when he chooses good roles - and this isn't often the case. Not expecting much from its bland beginning, I was beginning to nod off when Kevin's character, Jimmy Dolan, arrived in Kenya in search of a young African man he spied on a documentary. Jimmy is an assistant coach for a university, and in order to save his job, needs to find the next basketball star.If you're a sports fan, there might be enough action in this to hold your attention. But if you're someone who enjoys heart, warmth, character and some of the most beautiful land ever caught on film, this movie will come to mean more to you.For me, the country of Kenya played a lead role. The depth and color of the culture made this film a rich, living tapestry of tradition butting heads with progress.Charles Gitanga Maina, as Saleh the prospective ball star, is breathtakingly handsome with a winsome sweetness that blasts from the screen.While this film was meant to be about Jimmy Dolan and his growth as a man and human being, it's also about remembering humanity's history and respecting it for itself. It's also about bowing to progress with dignity and respecting the rewards that it, too, can offer.Paul Michael Glaser proves - once more - that he can find the heart of a film and unwrap all its petals to reveal the core. He is a wonderful director.He must be, for I watched the challenge basketball game with my breath caught, my heart pounding and feeling all the joy of the people of the Winabi tribe. And I hate sports.

Kenya -1990s. St Joe's basketball team is famous but runs into a double crisis. For one, the acclaimed coach is going to retire and must name his successor. Moreover, the team is in dire need of a hoop star. Jimmy Dolan, ex-player and deputy coach, has therefore no choice but to find the star: his career is at stake. On a short video of a mission in Winabi (Kenya), he sees the star he needs. How to get there, to identify the player and to convince him to go back to the USA with him will however be quite a challenge! The spectator should not expect anything remotely intellectual or an even slightly probable description of Africa. But Kevin Bacon is good and the movie hilarious at times. A very entertaining, light movie, which beyond the classical story of friendship between two young men of different cultures (for once not too patronizing), shows quite interesting scenes of beautiful basketball and demonstrates a bit the incredible cult Americans make of sports in the environment of what is supposed to be tertiary education.

The movie talks upon an assistant basketball trainer called Jimmy Dolan(Kevin Bacon)who seeing a documentary observes an b-ball African player.Then he heads toward Africa hoping to recruit him in the biggest US team.He's a giant and talented called Saleh but doesn't want to leave the tribe because is the throne's heir.The tribe is constituted by a natives type Massai.Then they make a wager playing one team against another.Besides the protagonist will must surpass hardships proofs with purport of converting in warrior and can to play in tribe's team. The picture is an amused sports comedy with agreeable and likable interpretation of its principal starring.Argument sometimes is a little ridiculous and absurd and utilizes tired stereotypical however the film is entertained and funny.Besides there are a slight exposition about habits and customs of the tribe,where is seen as the cows are essential in their life and particulars ceremonies,rites,dances and marriage ceremony. Plus has an exciting and moving final tournament that is truly exciting ,being the end climatic game the highlight film. Jolly and lively music with African sound by David Newman. Glimmer and colorfully cinematography is by Dick Pope(Mike Leigh's photographer)as is reflected in spectacular African outdoors. The motion picture is accurately directed by Paul Michael Glaser(Starsky and Hutch).The flick will like to basketball interested. Rating :Average but bemused.