Airborne (1993)

By Greg
Rating: 6/10

When Mitchell Goosen, a California surfer/rollerblading is forced to live with family in Cincinnati for six months, fitting in becomes a challenge. He doesn't just struggle with the lack of sun and waves, he is now the new kid on the block and socially inept cousin Wiley is no help. Immediately Mitch is noticed by the high school thugs, led by Jack and Augie (Jack Black), as a threat. Obvious outcast, Mitch is ridiculed instantly. Upon failing to help defeat local rivals, Central High at a hockey game. Mitch and Wiley then go through the typical montage of high school tortures, clothes removed from shower, locker pranks, etc.

Its textbook teen angst film from here. Mitch meets Nikki and love is in the air, after displaying some wicked rollerblading skills and swooning her with California. A sad discovery is made, she is Jack's sister. Relationship is forbidden, double date happens, another run-in with Central High Hockey team led by Blane. Who also was Nikki's ex. Alas, Mitch places foot in mouth and he now must give aid with cousin Wiley on a race down "Devil's Backbone" for honor. Can they pull it off? Of course, its teen angst.

It's not all bad, does have some funny moments, Seth Green and Jack Black are both standouts. Clearly learning how to become the actors we know them now. Typical role for Green in this film, Black is just a bystander. In one scene when Mitch calls Augie (Jack Black) "bra" and he responds that he wants to fight him for calling him underwear, but Black plays the scene great, with trademark facial expressions. With a typical storyline and pop culture references here and there. Its worth a look, just not one to keep around.

CAST: Shane Mcdermot, Seth Green, Brittney Powell, Chris Conrad and Jack Black
Directed by: Rob Bowman
Budget/Gross: $2,600,000 (estimated)/$2,850,263 (USA)
IMDB Score: 5.5/10
Tomatometer: 17% critics / 58% audiences liked it