Airborne MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: -1/2

When his parents receive a six-month research grant to Australia, Mitchell (Shane McDermott) is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Cincinnati. Cousin Wiley (Seth Green) and his parents are strange characters. California native Mitchell and his surf board seem totally out of place in the rough Cincinnati neighborhood and school. Challenged to fight by both the school jocks and the gang members, Mitchell maintains his refusal to fight. Meanwhile, he is befriended by Nikki (Brittney Powell), the sister of the jock's leader. Challenged to a rollerblade race, Mitchell joins the gang's team and saves the day. AIRBORNE is well acted with beautiful action photography and a clear message of non-violence and "love thy neighbor."

The determination of Mitchell to avoid fighting and violence sets a role model rare in today's films. He refuses fights at every turn, even when he is pushed and shoved. Once when he is most seriously threatened, he yanks down the agressor's pants to stop him, showing brief rear nudity. When Mitchell states, "Nothing is worth fighting for," it isn't clear if he would refuse to defend his God, his country or his loved ones in a crisis. He may have carried his pacificism to a misguided extreme. Especially poignant is when he reaches out to help his foe. Except for a crude bathroom prank and some crudities and two obscenities, the film is refreshingly free of objectionable material. A word of caution must be noted that some of the rollerblading stunts are quite dangerous and not to be imitated. Even so, AIRBORNE provides solid entertainment for teens and adults alike, refreshing in its model of non-violence in an increasingly violent society.

Preview Reviewer: Alice Anderson
Distributor: Warner Bros, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522