It was back in the late-1990s, when in-line skates were still a socially acceptable form of fitness, that I first came across the movie ‘Airborne’. If I remember correctly, one of my college roommates seemed absolutely distraught by the fact that I’d never heard of this 1993 classic, so much so that he skipped classes that afternoon to run out to the Blockbuster Video (remember those?) and grab a copy.
The plot, in a nutshell, is that teenager Mitchell Goosen (played by Shane McDermott) is just your stereotypical blond California kid, a gifted surfer and skater. When his parents have the opportunity to visit Australia (in 1993, possibly the coolest place in the world) for an extended research trip, Mitchell isn’t invited; rather, he’s shipped off to stay with extended family in Cincinnati (in 1993, possibly the last-coolest place in the world). There, unable to transition to the locally-favored sport of ice hockey, he struggles through a long, cold, and lonely winter…
…until suddenly, winter turns to spring! And with the change of season, all the jocks in Ohio begin playing, well, a lot more hockey. Except for now, they’ve swapped out their blades of steel for in-line skates, where Mitchell’s talents are much more apparent. After a rough-and-tumble game of roller hockey against the cross-town rival “preps”, Mitchell and his new friends are challenged to a no-holds-barred, winner-take-all skating race down the most dangerous course in Cincinnati… the Devil’s Backbone!
“Airborne” is what’s known as a “box office bomb”, having taken in only $2.9 million before it mercifully made the quick transition to rental movie store shelves, and upon re-watching this film it’s easy to see why. The plot itself is well-worn, and the dialogue is as stale as it gets. Still, “Airborne” does have a number of positive attributes which make it unforgettable among countless other bad movies. The ‘90s fashions on display are simply magnificent, as is Seth Green’s polished comic acting. And even though lead actor Shane McDermott has since left the silver screen to pursue a career in real estate, “Airborne” is responsible for helping launch the career of a young Jack Black.
Everyone faces challenges in life, whether it’s enduring a cross-country move, dealing with bullies, or flying down the Devil’s Backbone at breakneck speeds. If you ever find yourself confronted with these obstacles, I strongly recommend that you pick up a copy of “Airborne”. Even if this movie doesn’t help you deal with any of your problems, it’ll at least get you in the mood to laugh at them…