ChanBot i must have seen a different film!!

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Suman Roberson It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Python Hyena Air Bud (1997): Dir: Charles Martin Smith / Cast: Kevin Zegers, Wendy Makkena, Michael Jeter, Bill Cobb, Eric Christmas: About as exciting as a dog food commercial and has all the originality of the other countless family dog movies. Air Bud is owned by a clown but is locked up after an accident. The back isn't latched allowing the cage to tumble off. That simple-minded gesture is followed by the cage nearly hit by a car and the passengers not checking. Then a boy meets the dog with its ability to bunt basketballs. The dog will eventually and predictably become school mascot. Directed by Charles Martin Smith who does his best but the characters do illogical things such as not having the dog checked. Sure, the dog is friendly but so was Cujo at one point. Then comes the embarrassing court case to decide the dog's owner. That is when the dog should have fled the set. Kevin Zegers is given little challenge reciting what countless other kids have played. Michael Jeter's clown is an idiot, plain and simple. Wendy Makkena plays Zegers' less than swift mother. Bill Cobb plays former basketball player turn toilet attendant who delivers his two cents worth after we have long drifted off to sleep. Eric Christmas plays a judge who obviously should quit his practice after listening to a dog. Perhaps he can do us all a favor and flush this tiny tot film down the toilet. Score: 1 / 10

Arlis Fuson After a kids dad dies he moves to a new city where he finds himself lost and alone. His passion is basketball, but hes kind of shy and weird around kids and doesn't try out for the team at first. He finds a stray dog and soon learns the dog can actually shoot hoops with his nose. After a while he joins the team and soon the whole town witnesses the dogs talents and he ends up on the team. Soon, once the original owner of the dog who hated him finds out the dog is famous he comes back to claim him for his own.I had watched this movie a few times years ago and it was just another predictable happy ending kids film. I must admit there's hundreds of thousands of these movies made and they are all pretty much the same. Good for a kid to set down and kept shut up for an hour and a half. You know how they are gonna end and what the story is all about just by looking at the cover art.I didn't hate it, but it offered nothing great. I like Kevin Zegers and I had watched this a few times 12 or 13 years ago when it came out and thought it was okay for a kids movie. Eric Christmas does good as the judge and Michael Jeter plays a good bad guy here..I always give credit to directors who work with animals, it cannot be an easy job. The director of this film made an old horror movie from 86 I love called Trick or Treat so thats a cool plus for me.Watch it and decide for yourself but you aren't seeing anything new here. Maybe a dog playing basketball isn't that heard of or seen, but it's not too impressive and the story itself is middle of the road 3/10 stars.

Atreyu_II 'Air Bud' is one of "doggy" movies so much in fashion in its time. And it's surprisingly underrated.This is by no means a comedy, although it has its funny moments. It is dramatic, more than anything. In fact, this is often a depressing film but joyful at the same time. Unlike its sequels, this one has a clever plot (a sentimental one, I'd say). It's heartwarming, in the line of others like this such as 'Old Yeller', 'Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey', 'Napoleon' and 'Fluke'.Despite the title, the story isn't just about our very dear canine friend Buddy (even if he is the main star). The story also focus on Josh Framm, who is a crucial character, together with the dog. After all, they are destined to be best friends. Josh is Buddy's salvation, but Buddy also plays an important role to save Josh's life. Buddy escapes from his alcoholic and aggressive owner and finds a peaceful life with Josh. On the other hand, Josh gets over depression and shyness thanks to Buddy, which gives the him will to live and brings back Josh's lost interest in basketball.That's when the movie's most original thing happens: Buddy can play basketball! That is just amazing! Like everybody else in the movie, to see the dog playing basketball leaves me speechless. That dog has an incredible talent for basketball and even more unbelievable is that he never fails. He's a much better and natural-born player than the humans themselves. He becomes the mascot of Josh's basketball team... which brings them lots of luck.The beauty of this movie isn't just in the dramatic story, but also in the friendship between Josh and man's best friend. Plus, Buddy is a Golden Retriever, my favorite dog breed. Golden Retrievers look so friendly and pacific. They are in fact. They are among the world's sweetest and most beautiful dogs.But the magnificent scenario also gives beauty to the movie: rivers, green places, a nice village. All of this is very well combined with soft, relaxing and beautiful piano music (like in "Fluke").Tom is an eccentric boy who always carries minor pieces of garbage to give him luck. It is, however, a bit disturbing to see that Joe coach throwing him numerous basketballs, causing the boy to shake nervously and feel very tired.Larry, although constantly picking on Josh, isn't really annoying or stupid. He is more of an arrogant and jealous guy than actually mean. Despite having some deeply touching moments, the most heartbreaking moment of the movie is when Buddy crosses the river and tries to follow the river boat which Josh catches. That scene always makes tears come to my eyes.As for the cast, Kevin Zegers (a sports boy in real life, just like Noah Hathaway) is wonderful in the role of Josh Framm and Buddy the Dog is simply fantastic as Buddy. I was so sad when I found out that Buddy died. He was a friendly, adorable, beautiful and very talented dog. The little girl who plays Josh's cute little sister (whoever she is) is alright either.But I don't like some of the characters at all. Norm Snively is a drunk, abusive man and a loser as a clown. Coach Joe is a jerk and unkind. Larry's father is a jerk and a hypocrite. This should definitely be on Top 250.

eaw1990osaka 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.