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.
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Sandcooler23 November 2010
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Colony17 May 2003This is a good movie, really. The late dog was charming, and very talented. Zegers is a good actor.
It's been a while since I've seen this film, but I can tell you that it had a good, if seeming a little cliched, story. Zegers is Josh Framm, he's been upset since his test-pilot father was killed in an accident. After moving to Washington, he doesn't fit in and becomes even more upset, but things turn around when he finds a stray dog that has run away from its previous owner.
When he discovers that this dog can shoot baskets, he's cheered up, and decides to join the basketball team, bringing the dog Buddy along as a mascot.
This movie is a little too melodramatic for a kids' movie in certain places. For example, there's the scene in which the basketball coach, after a game in which the character Tom had trouble catching passes, is alone with Tom in the gym, repeatedly firing balls at Tom that batter him all over his body. When Josh and the principal find them, Tom turns and we see bruises on his face and a black eye. That's a little disturbing.
Other than that, this movie is not that bad. All of the sequals suck. Dogs can't play baseball, that's why the ball in the fourth movie is computer animated, completely ruining the spirit of the series. -
terminatorg28 July 2019It's easy to be entertained by a dog shooting hoops. But what make this movie good is the fact that it's plot isn't just for 3 year olds.
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flickjunkie-323 November 2000I 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. -
nirvana2730 June 2005OK, hmmm, well lets see... I question how many dogs died in the making of this movie, seeing as a breaking of the nose during some "crazy dawg action" trying to score with the basketball. Also, I've heard that pudding isn't good for dogs...ya. And also, this is basically dissing American basketball. A team of kids who haven't won a single game...And along comes a dog, which appears to be a better teacher than any of the boys, as well as better than the whole team. (Even though it has no idea what it's doing.) Oh ya! I just remembered. Golden retrievers don't have thumbs. So, the writer's brilliant plan? Airbud hits the the basketball with his nose basically the whole movie! One problem. I've tried that before. Make that two problems. It breaks the dog's nose, as well as YOU CAN"T AIM! This is crushing all of the kid's egos! They must be thinking "Hey, a dog, with no thumbs, using only his nose is better than me." You'd think some kid would want revenge for all of the humiliation. Although I had tons of fun making fun (fun squared!) of this movie with my good pals, unless you are into all types of cheese possible, watch grass grow. It is more exciting, and has a better plot.
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jordanpresnell26 April 2021AirBud paints a very troubling an unrealistic picture of the possibilities of even the most athletic dogs potential basketball skills, not to mention he never actually dribbles the ball, are we just supposed to ignore that traveling is a foul?
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anaconda-4065819 August 2015Air 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
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TheLittleSongbird10 November 2010Air 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
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blodnatt6 June 2022I've never been a fan of Disney movies proposing animals have the human level of cognitive abilities, so this movie have always seemed off to me, in a way I couldn't put my finger on. Just this feeling creeping down my back, that something is up with that dog.
Then in comes John Oliver, and puts hits finger where it belongs, and the creeping feeling suddenly became better. Like a darkness was lifted from my mind and finally rays of sun and warmth can enter.
Ta, John. If it wasn't for your fingering, I'd still be in an Airbud induced conundrum that was my life and reality. -
Transformer28 September 2003Since 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?
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socrates429 March 2020I'm sorry, but I just do not understand the appeal of the AIR BUD films and films like them. I don't mind the idea of having animals in these ridiculous situations, but for me it has just never been done well.
The movie is frustrating and hard to watch. It feels much longer than it is. Not my kind of film at all. Do not recommend. -
mrbillybob7 January 2006This is the kind of movie that will be remembered forever. This movie was done perfectly and I have no negative thoughts about it. They chose the absolute best music for this movie and I don't think anyone could have chose better. It needs to be remembered, they should make it on a special edition DVD. Even though they have come out with tons of Air Bud movies after this, the original one will always be the best. The Sadest part in the whole movie is the part when Josh leaves Buddy stranded on the other side of the river. This will always be my favorite movie, and nothing will ever change that. I give Air Bud a 10 out of 10 for great humor, sadness, and music. Great Job!
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kairingler4 July 2013I 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.
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"Air Bud" is supposed to be a family-friendly movie, but it has one of the cruellest openings I have ever seen. A golden retriever is in the back of a truck, and Norm (Michael Jetter,) dressed like a clown, makes an ass out of himself at a kid's birthday party. He looks like he just got released from prison. His truck bellows smoke and backfires. He is an idiot, and his idiocy is supposed to be a point of laughter when he rips his truck door off and jumps on it like a kid, but how do you laugh at this idiot when he is abusive towards the animal?
Josh (Kevin Zegers) is depressed because his father recently passed away, so he moves with his mother Jackie (Wendy Makkena) and sister Andrea (Mather Twins) to a small town where he becomes the outcast at the local school. He lacks the confidence to try out for the school basketball team, but the school janitor Arthur Chaney (Bill Cobbs,) who used to be a player for the New York Knicks in the 1950s) takes on the typical role of someone who inspires the depressed kid.
Josh starts shooting hoops at an old abandoned church when he discovers the golden retriever. He names the dog Buddy and hides him in his mother's house. Of course, Wendy discovers the animal and allows him to keep it if he puts up missing flyers. Josh discovers Buddy can bunt basketball, and the underdog team will become the hero team, in the end. Buddy can somehow enter Josh's 2nd-floor bedroom window, walk across the roof, and nobody sees him. On the court, he turns out to be a star when he never misses a shot and bunts the ball into the net every time.
Norm is barely in the movie, and that's a good thing. He is not someone kids should be seeing, as an abusive grumpy alcoholic who physically abuses the dog, and I find it absurd that the director would show this in a family-friendly movie with themes of abuse strong even to make adults shutter. Director Charles Martin Smith doesn't seem to know how to balance the two elements because you see the couch aggressively throwing balls at a student to the point when the child looks stunningly abused. The principal intervenes, and you hear he was fired, but why, do we have to see this? Norm Sneverly is enough. It's an excuse for Bill Cobbs to come back on screen and couch the team. How he goes from a famous Basketball player to a janitor is never explored.
Cobbs tries to teach the boys skills and confidence, and the kid of the Elmer Fud father throws a tartan, and Fud movies his kid, the school bully, to another team in two states over. What? Okay, so Josh becomes the team manager, and the dog is, by his side. It's preposterous, but since this is a kid's movie about loss and companionship, seeing the dog, is what is supposed to bring the smiles.
Norm eventually returns when he discovers the dog is a star and wants him back. He comes off as a creep when he leans up behind Wnedy and asks for the dog. The dog growls at him, and you see him dragging the animal by the collar in an abusive manner, and the cops aren't called? Everyone in the neighbourhood shuts their blinds? Again, why do kids need to see this?
Surprisingly, it has a serious tone that doesn't work because it gives the film a dreary sense due to how psychotic Norm is. When he discovers the dog being rescued, he chases after Josh and Buddy and tries to run them down. His truck falling apart is supposed to be funny, and, it is, but, he smashes through monuments, destroying property, and no cops appear? When the wheel pops off, he floors it into the lake. These are funny slapstick moments, but the unbalanced tone stops the movie from being funny.
The last fifteen minutes of the movie, are absurd when Norm decides to take everyone to court over ownership of the dog. He waltzes into the courtroom dressed as a clown, spouts garbage, and the judge says, "You look like an idiot." The judge, played by Eric Christmas, is reduced to a snivelling cameo where he can't put two sentences together. Every time he bangs the gavel, the dog barks, and, this is supposed to be funny.
There are moments where the dog and the kid bond, and it's cute, but it doesn't take away the fact that "Air Bud" has a mean spirit, and a gloom over it that kids may find unnerving. The scenes with the dog wearing shoes and playing ball are cute, but the depressing, and alarming tone is not something kids should see in a family movie.
1/10. -
bigverybadtom20 March 2024An awful professional clown has a pet golden retriever he treats cruelly and ends up losing. The dog meets a boy who has just moved into town and the boy fosters then keeps him, and it turns out that the dog is able to "play" basketball, or rather can knock basketballs into the basket utilizing his snout. (The credits for the movie say that the dog did it for real.) The boy joins his new school's basketball team, and so does the dog, first as a mascot, then he is called in to play when several human players are injured
Basically a cookie-cutter "boy and his dog triumphs" story, though suspension of disbelief is required, namely the fact that the dog can put basketballs into a basket but cannot genuinely play basketball, as he can only carry the basketball in his mouth rather than dribble it as basketball players are supposed to do during a game. One former basketball player in the movie gives a decent performance, but everyone else just goes through the motions. Even the villainous clown is so inept he isn't even minimally scary. Some more movies were made using a golden retriever playing various sports, but this movie failed to make me want to watch them. -
just_jargons_cat5 June 2019If you leik dogs that play basketball, you will leik, if not; no leik. 3 stars because it's well-acted.
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sol-kay8 April 2012(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! -
pkzeewiz17 May 2010After 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. -
maartenvankrimpen25 March 2005I like this movie, I really do. I saw this movie with my uncle for my birthday when I was 10, and I was so excited about this. And now, six years later, I still am.
Josh is an 11 year old boy who moves with his sister and his mum after his father died. He's lonely, and he doesn't make friends at his new school. Until he finds a dog, also lonely. The dog belongs to some sort of clown who mistreats him and isn't really nice to him, but the dog got lost and escaped from him. And then they, the boy and the dog, become friends. Josh is the 'waterboy' of the school's basketball-team, but that changes when he discovers that the dog, with the name Buddy, can play basketball.
There's nothing wrong with this film. It's a warm movie about a special friendship between two 'loners'. The story is not always really logical; it's never explained how the dog did find Josh back, but that isn't important. It's a kids movie, and children don't think about the logicalness of the movie.
The actors are all wonderful in this film. Wendy Makkena, the shy Maria Roberta in the Sister Act-films, the young Kevin Zegers, a sympathetic Bill Cobs in a cliché role, and most of all Michael Jeter. It's really a shame that he died, it was such a wonderful actor. And of course Buddy, with his wonderful trainer Kevin DiMaccio, also one of the writers and producers.
In this time of tragic, bloody and heavy cinema, people should enjoy this kind of films. Warm, light-hearted, and most of all: funny. -
Beta_Gallinger28 June 2009Although 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. -
Atreyu_II29 July 2007'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. -
SUPERNOVA HEIGHTS20 July 2001Air Bud is a nice film for all the family,children and parents,this is a magical history about a dog that it can play basketball,this is amazing but true.I watch the second and the third part,they´re nice but not better than the first. SENTENCE FOR AIR BUD:NICE FILM
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williamj-28 August 1999This 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'.
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sauravjoshi8516 February 2020Air Bud is a comedy movie directed by Charles Martin Smith and stars Kevin Zegers, Wendey Makkena, Bill Cobbs and Michael Jeter in the leads along with 'Air Buddy'
The movie is about a dog who shoots basketball hoops.
The movie will surely be liked by kids but could be a little disappointing for the adults. The movie is slow and gets boring in between.
Acting is great by all the characters apart from the judge in the climax who irritates. The background music is good and script is predictable as we have to expect a happy ending of the movie. The scenes where 'buddy' shoots basketball will definitely excite both the adults and kids.
Overall a predictable movie with fun elements in between which will be liked by the kids.