Air Bud

This movie is undemanding fun. while it's refreshing to see a film that does not rely on -or even use- computer-generated effects, the set-up is that the guy, Michael Jeter, is shown to be a baddie because of his treatment of the dog as his co-star in his crummy clown show. As an audience we must share complicity in this, as 'Buddy' performs for our entertainment, and that dog (and his two doubles) really do score those baskets. But, all political correctness aside, the movie is enjoyable enough. Underused though is the excellent Brendan Fletcher as the 'bad kid'.

...and they put it all right in this movie. This is probably the most cheesy, corny, sappy (or whatever you wanna call it) movie I've ever seen. For starters- Golden Retrievers... Basketball... I think not. Now, the fact they chose the world's freindliest dog doesn't quite help either. If it were a Pincher or a Chihuahua or even a Bulldog, then it might have been interesting. But really... Well, look. If you've got 8 year old pup lovin' kids, this movie is for them. 'Cause that age is when you can still appriciate those cheesy films that you've seen zillions of times. Now, I don't mind cheesyness here and there (At one point Honey I Shrunk The Kids was my favorite movie, then again when it was I was at that age). So, if you don't mind cheese then you'll probably like this movie but if you hate cheese, beware of the double-cheese-layer!

Air bud is a 90s gem. It has an enjoyable story from start to finish. The acting and the feel is fine. There is a story that is told that makes you feel good. In reality though. A dog playing basketball with humans is cheating. It's not fair that 1 teams gets a flea infested beast. I get that it's a movie and all. But they made the opposing team and Kid seem like villains. Basically all air bud sports movies are cheating. If this movie came out in the late 00s or onward then I would have hated this movie because I hate dogs. Being a 90s movie air bud gets the past.

A young boy who's father has passed away moves to a new town with his baby sister and mother, with little hopes of making new friends or getting over his father's death: until he finds a dog who can play basketball! Turning suddenly from being an incompetent water boy, whom only dreams of joining the school basketball team, to an admirable young athlete with his great new dog, Buddy. A mildly entertaining afternoon special for kids. With it's innocence and slitly comicle charm, this movie, like all other afterschool specials has it's moments. I wouldn't say it was funny, it dosn't have what most of the modern day kids or pre-teens are looking for in their entertainment: Bombs going off, blood, martial arts or showy costumes. It's the type of thing for a family with three or four children of mixed ages to watch with their mother before nap time. Isn't obscene like most movies even a nine year old might watch these days, yet isn't Barnie or Elmo either.

I wasn't expecting Air Bud to be all that good, after the disappointment of the other kiddie film, Soccer Dog, but I found this film weirdly impressive, to be quite honest. Josh (Kevin Zegers) is an introverted 12-year-old whose test pilot dad has been killed, necessitating a family move to the leafy Washington suburb of Fernfield. Here, he meets Buddy, a stray retriever, who can score baskets with his nose and is adopted into the family home. Buddy's ball skills soon cheer Josh up and ingratiate him with his peers, and they both make the Timberwolves school team. Conflict arrives in the form of Buddy's previous cruel owner Snively (Michael Jeter), a children's entertainer of the Fred West school. The direction is sloppy, the actors overact and the result is cheese on a stick, but Air Bud still manages to entertain adults and children throughout the perfectly short running time. The story of a basketball-playing dog is magnificent, and Buddy is an irresistible golden retriever, he makes the film as watchable as it ever will be. You'll cry, you'll laugh and you'll be weirdly uplifted, but don't expect to be absolutely spellbound with Air Bud. But I do still recommend it, that's for sure. I rate Air Bud 7 out of 10.

This is a good movie for younger kids despite some brief mild language. The dog playing basketball just doesn't make sense to me though. I could take the ball away from the dog and its not like he has the height advantage. If you have small kids they would enjoy it.

OK, hmmm, well lets see... I question how many dogs died in the making of this movie, seeing as a breaking of the nose during some "crazy dawg action" trying to score with the basketball. Also, I've heard that pudding isn't good for dogs...ya. And also, this is basically dissing American basketball. A team of kids who haven't won a single game...And along comes a dog, which appears to be a better teacher than any of the boys, as well as better than the whole team. (Even though it has no idea what it's doing.) Oh ya! I just remembered. Golden retrievers don't have thumbs. So, the writer's brilliant plan? Airbud hits the the basketball with his nose basically the whole movie! One problem. I've tried that before. Make that two problems. It breaks the dog's nose, as well as YOU CAN"T AIM! This is crushing all of the kid's egos! They must be thinking "Hey, a dog, with no thumbs, using only his nose is better than me." You'd think some kid would want revenge for all of the humiliation. Although I had tons of fun making fun (fun squared!) of this movie with my good pals, unless you are into all types of cheese possible, watch grass grow. It is more exciting, and has a better plot.

This movie is actually really good. I mean, just the premise, a dog who can play basketball, who could resist? It's so adorable. I don't think this is really a kids movie. Anyone of any age can enjoy it. From little kids, to teenagers, such as a myself, to young adults, to middle aged adults, to seniors. I really do believe that anyone can like this movie. Some parts did make me angry though. I hate violence against dogs, so when I saw Buddy's first owner, yelling at him and mistreating him, I was like "Okay, you need to calm your farm, and be nice to that dog. If you can't be nice to a dog or any other animal, then give him up for adoption, to a family, who will actually treat him like a lovable best friend, instead of a side show act." Overall, I really like this movie, and I give it an 8 out of 10.