Taylor Kingston
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.
rannynm
Looking for a great sports movie with touching scenes and some unique players? Well then this is a movie for you. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Julianna No one (age 12) shares her review below: Video review available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1FORlwS-_EThis movie stars Kevin Zeggers as Josh Framm, Wendy Makkena as Jackie Framm, and Michael Jeter as Norm Snively the clown. This film is about a boy who is new to town. One day while playing basketball Josh finds Bud, a abandoned dog. Bud gives Josh faith in himself which leads him to try out for the basketball team. Josh learns that Bud can play basketball too. Josh and Bud just have to be aware of Bud's old abusive owner, Norm Snively the clown. My favorite character is Bud. I like Bud because of his unbiased love of Josh and because Josh and his family took Bud in when his old abusive owner was about to take him to the pound. However, I like him mostly because he is talented and it is pretty cool that he can play basketball. My favorite scenes are when Bud decides to bite his old owner Norm the clown and runs back to his new family, Josh and the rest of the Framms. My other favorite scene is when Bud actually plays for Josh's team because one player is injured and another fouls out of the game. What I like about this movie is how well the stunt coordinator trained Bud, so in the movie he has such great aptitude or talent. The cinematography is well done and how it is anthropomorphic in how Bud is able to play basketball, like he is just another kid on the team. I think that people who love animals, sports and comedy mixed with a little heart warming scenes will absolutely love this incredible film. I know this because I really love this film and I hope you will as well. Also even if you don't really like sports or animal movies you will still enjoy this film as it has a great story to follow. This movie is great for the whole family. There is a strong moral to the story as well as many emotionally gripping scenes for everyone to enjoy. I rate this film 5 out of 5 stars because it is a great movie that everyone can sit down and enjoy.
Electrified_Voltage
Although this family sports movie was released in 1997, I believe I saw it for the first time in 2001. I was in my early teens at the time, and it definitely didn't turn out to be one of my all-time favourite movies, but I think I was impressed with a lot of it. I certainly wasn't bored. If I remember correctly, what I liked the most about "Air Bud" was the dog, since I found him so cute. I think he often put a smile on my face, at least early in the film. However, if I hadn't seen the film years ago, I doubt I would have ever bothered watching it, but since I remembered it, I decided to watch it again eight years later. This time, I knew it wasn't a very popular movie, and unsurprisingly, I noticed some flaws I hadn't noticed before. Josh Framm is a boy who has just moved to Fernfield, Washington with his mother and younger sister after the tragic death of his father. At school in this town, he has no friends, and despite his interest in basketball, he is too shy to try out for the school's team. He discovers an abandoned basketball court in the town, and starts shooting hoops there. He also meets a stray golden retriever in that area, one who was lost by his abusive owner, a clown named Norm Snively, when he fell out of his truck. Josh quickly befriends this dog, naming him Buddy, and sees that he's also good at basketball! Eventually, Josh does make the school team, and Buddy soon joins in, which brings him a lot of attention. Unfortunately, however, after Norm Snively sees his lost dog on TV, he wants him back. The relationship between the boy and the dog could be in trouble, and so could the team! This movie is hands down a failure when it comes to humour. This includes the beginning, with Norm Snively, played by Michael Jeter, at a birthday party with Buddy (before he loses him), trying to entertain a bunch of kids, which leads to some weak slapstick, making a huge mess in the house. The scene where Josh's mother sees Buddy for the first time is a lot like that, with more unfunny slapstick leading to a huge mess. Norm is supposed to be a really funny character, but VERY rarely is. As for the serious parts, they're not terrible, but aren't really that gripping or anything. A bit of emotion or tension wasn't enough to make it satisfying. Basically, "Air Bud" is another mediocre modern-day PG-rated kiddie flick, but I guess it's harmless, and many kids could enjoy it. As for me, I'm going to have to move on, and not bother watching this movie's one theatrical sequel or any of its many direct-to-video sequels.
