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'.

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.

Air Bud is truly a family classic,and one that you'll want to see over and over again. I couldn't believe that Buddy could actually make a basket,but he did. It was really funny and overall a great movie.

Air Bud is far from a classic, but I was surprised at how much I liked this movie. As far as dog movies go, Lassie Come Home and Old Yeller are the best in my opinion, but Air Bud is not a bad family movie at all. It is too short though, and there is some uneven direction and some hit and misses in the script, However, some of it is fitfully amusing, and the story is appealing. And the characters are engaging, especially Buddy and Josh, those two have great chemistry together. Kevin Zegers is likable enough, while Buddy steals the film whether it is the stunts or the bonding scenes. Air Bud is nice to look at, and the soundtrack is decent. But I have to give special mention to the acrobatics, because they are amazing. All in all, an entertaining and likable film, not perfect but decent family fare without taking itself too seriously. 7/10 Bethany Cox

I really enjoyed this movie, as an owner now of 4 dogs, and as a kid when I had a dog ,, I used to share lunch with the dog,, talk to him/her... play all the things kids do with dogs.. this movie just rocks.. I so hated buddy's first owner,, the stupid clown,, oh so happy when the kid decides to take action against the clown. as far as a dog playing basketball I actually wouldn't put it past an actual real life dog to do it being properly trained and all, the only thing I feel that's a little far fetched is the poor dog wearing those tiny dog slippers tell me how a golden retriever is gonna run up and down the basketball court in sneakers,, but other than that I really just loved this movie,, it's a movie for all ages 9-99. enjoy folks.