Air Bud - Campione a quattro zampe

Since most kids' movies are horrible, parents dread having to sit through them alongside their children. But this is harmless, feel-good fun that even a parent can stomach. It's a tad unbelievable, and some stunts are all too convenient, but so what? We can all suspend a certain amount of disbelief and enjoy a movie, right?

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 loved this movie when I was a kid, and even back then I had little idea why. I mean, it wasn't like I thought it was particularly funny or touching or anything like that. I guess I just really liked the basic premise, because you have to admit the central idea is pretty weird and nutty. How stoned do you have to get before you come up with a dog that plays basketball? How would that even remotely work? I'm really putting too much thought in this movie I guess, but it's just so bizarre that I've always found it very entertaining. I've learned the sequels actually stretch the premise even further and involve dogs that can play soccer, baseball and volleyball, but this one will always be the one and only original "dog does weird athletic stuff it can't possibly do"-flick.

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

this is the best movie... the dog can play basketball.you just got to love buddy he is so cute.