Airborne

A 1993 film starring Shane McDermott as Mitchell Goosen, a California teen who loves surfing and in-line skating. His zoologist parents have moved to Australia for six months for grant work, but Mitch couldn't go with them, so is sent off to Cincinnati with his aunt and uncle to finish off high school. As expected, he has an awkward time fitting in. Mitch also meets his equally awkward cousin Wiley, whose parents -- while loving and understanding -- are a bit old-fashioned.

During a hockey game against the rival preps, Mitchell and Wiley are asked to fill in for two players on their team (led by a kid named Jack), but Mitch screws up royally as he scores the winning goal for the other team. He and Wiley are subsequently pranked on by their teammates.

Mitchell even falls in love with Nikki, who is smitten by his surfer attitude and Maharishi-esque philosophy. However, it turns out that she is the former girlfriend of Blaine, the leader of the preps. During a standoff, Mitch absolutely refuses to fight back until Jack (who is Nikki's brother) stops Blaine.

The movie eventually finishes off with an epic in-line skating race downhill as Mitchell finally earns the respect of his peers.

Airborne was universally panned by critics, scoring a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.


 * Actual Pacifist: Mitchell, nearly to the point of Designated Hero.
 * And he ends up pulling a bully's pants down, destroying any claim the filmmakers might have had to giving a pacifist moral.
 * Ambiguous Gender: Wiley, whose long red hair and odd style of dress make him look like a girl.
 * Bishonen: Mitchell is ridiculously pretty.
 * Costume Test Montage: Wiley plays dress-up to the tune of "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred as he prepares for a date.
 * Gosh Dang It to Heck: Characters refuse to use swearing beyond "butt".
 * Noodle Incident: At one point, Michael is talking to his female friend. The only part of his conversation we hear is the ending; "My dad shot her. It was weird."
 * Old Shame: Seth Green (who preferred to be called "Wiley the Coyote" both on and off the set) and Jack Black (who played hockey teammate Augie, and then become the leader of The Nasties) won't be adding this movie to their résumés.
 * Shallow Love Interest: Nikki.
 * Socially Awkward Hero
 * Surfer Dude: Mitchell.
 * Totally Radical
 * Unintentional Period Piece: The film was created as a response to the in-line skating fad of The Nineties. Also feels like a commercial for said decade.