Overrated and overhyped

Did you people see the same film I saw?

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

The first installment to this franchise is paws down the best. The story about Air Bud becoming a basketball star is very heartfelt and fun to watch. I also love the fact that Air Bud doesn't talk! Nothing against Air Buddies but I think it's better that the dogs don't talk in Air Bud. Yeah, the fact that a dog can play basketball is a bit silly but it's played out in a surprisingly mature and heartfelt way. Air Bud, himself is very lovable and has a lot of character, without having to talk. Air Bud's connection with the boy is very sweet and probably one of the best things about the movie. Well, aside from the heartfelt ending that I will NOT spoil here. Watch the movie for yourself and come to your own conclusions.

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

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.

(Some Spoilers) After being abandoned on the highway by his master the drunken clown Norm Snively played by Michael Jeter, no relations to Yankee star infielder Derek, Buddy the dog is befriended by young Josh Framm, Kevin Zegers, who found Buddy lost and hungry wandering around in the woods. Josh is having trouble adjusting to his new life in Fernfield Washington and Buddy is just what he needs, a friend, to spend his time with. As it soon turns out Buddy has this talent in shooting basketballs through hoops by bouncing them off his snout that can put Michael Jordon and Jerry West to shame! The film has Josh together with his dog Buddy become the sensation of Fernfield High School who do a half-time show that's draws more people them the basketball game itself. It's the teams new coach school janitor and boiler room attendant,it gets real cold up there in Washington State during the winter, former professional basketball player for the New York Knicks Arthur Chaney, Bill Cobbs,who sees potential in Buddy's,the team's mascot, ability to play on the team and waits just for the right moment to put him into the game. That comes at the critical game for the state championship honors between Coach Chaney's Timberwolves and last years champions Warriors! It's during this time that Buddy's former owner Snively, while recovering from the DT's, sees Buddy on the local TV news shooting baskets and a light bulb lights up in his head. Seeing dollar signs and six packs of beer in his future Snively decides to get Buddy back legally despite having abandoned him months ago. Something that both Buddy and his new found friend Josh will do everything in their power to prevent.Corny at times but heart warming film with the sharp shooting Buddy, who sadly passed away six months after the films release, making every basket count as well as stealing ever scene in the movie. Not only was Buddy able to score points but as Coach Chaney predicted motivate the players, especially Josh, to improve their game as well. While Snively tried to get Buddy back and make money with him by doing beer and dog food commercials the dog with Josh's help escaped and ended up in court in a dog custody case with Josh and Snively as the complainants.***SPOILERS***Even though the presiding judge in the case Judge Cornfield, played by Eric Christmas,is a big Knick, as well as former Knick player Arthur Chaney, fan and was very sympathetic for Josh in seeing what a crazy nut, coming to court dressed up as Bozo the clown, Sinvely was it was in fact Buddy who made the decision to whom he want's to stay with. And as it turned out that decision was final!