Trying to write a review as a six year old is not easy,because any body much over this age will almost despise this film.If you have seen the buddy films you will know what i mean but this takes sickly sweet to a new level,don't get me wrong ,im not a killjoy and its a wonderful life is one of my favourite films of all time but as an adult this really did make me cringe.Yes i know its a kids film but most kids today a a little more critical of what they see than we probably were as kids.Would rate this 5 for young children and 3 for everybody else,Watch out for the pup singing a Christmas song,the most cringe-worthy moment of all the Christmas films i have ever seen,I hope that is not considered a spoiler as it doesn't give anything away.
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STEVE24BUS5 November 2009
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ironhorse_iv27 December 2014Unleash hell onto your Christmas season, by watching one of the worst pointless wishy-washy kid's Christmas movie, ever. Strange to think this is somehow the ninth sequel to the original 1997 movie, Air Bud. This movie series has little to do with that original sport film. It's not even about the playing basketball dog. It's about his puppies. It's a cash grab spin-off franchise; that deserve to be impounded. Directed by Robert Vince, the movie tells the story of how the North Pole is losing power due to Christmas spirit dying around the world. I guess, the message of the film is trying to promote family values and peace on Earth and not being materialism, but the message get kinda lose in the hijinx of the Santa Puppies. Honestly, if the movie really wanted to show, how the Christmas spirit is dying; show how little people go to Church. It's funny to see children in the film praying to Santa Claus (George Wendt). Wasn't this holiday, originally about Jesus? If the movie really wanted to go deep, it should show how the pagan holiday of the winter solstice was turn into Jesus's in order to convert more people. I don't think the creators of this movie knows what the Christmas spirit is. It's weird that they have a Buddhist e dog believe in Christmas in this film. I guess, based on this movie, all religions celebrate Christmas. Ever scarier is the fact that Santa Claus's pet Santa Paws (Voiced by Tom Bosley) youngest pup ran away from the North Pole due to his hatred for the holiday. What they don't know is that Puppy Paws (Voiced by Zackary Gordon), went out in the world in search of why people were losing sight of the real meaning of Christmas, but got capture by the evil, dog catcher, Mr. Stan Cruge (Christopher Lloyd) It's going to takes all of the Air Buddies: Budderball (Voiced by Josh Flitter), B-Dawg (Voiced by Skylar Gisondo), Mudbud (Voiced by Ty Panitz), Rosebud (Voiced by Lilliana Mumy), and Buddha (Voiced by Field Cate) to rescue him from the pound, show him the real meaning of Christmas and save the holiday. The story is pretty generic and predictable. The movie plot is pretty much a loosely story based on the Charles Dickens' 'Christmas Carol'. The movie has a good message, but lacks the depth to explore upon it. Characters like Tiny (Voiced by Kaitlyn Maher) & Stan Cruge were similar to those of Dickens's character, Tiny Tim & Scrooge, but they didn't have much character arch to them. All of the characters in the film were kinda one-dimensional as hell in their personalities. There's a rapping dog, a country dog, a football dog, and a dog that's a Buddhist. They were very annoying. I can do without a Vanilla Ice like dog. I really can't take how badly done, their mouths more. Honestly, they shouldn't even try, moving it. Just keep it close up like 1993's 'Homeward Bound' did. Not only that, they were kinda offensive. Character like Mickey (Andrew Astor) are appalling. I didn't like his racial stereotypical voicing for Italian and Indian. I know that the movie isn't supposed to be taken serious due to the fact that it's a kid movie, but I don't think dumbing down the material is good for children. I think certain children are a lot smarter than we think, they are. This movie is way dumb. Most of the film was spent, with a lot of filler scenes like learning how to break dance or roll in the mud. Honestly, if you're going to tackle the Christmas Carol; at less, make it seem sense and simple. I really can't get behind the film as the CGI computer effect were just god awful. I hate how the dogs talk in this film; it doesn't really sync up and looks awkward, most of the film. The fully animated, WSX reindeer segment are poorly done, that gave the production a very low budget feel. I think the animal in the film felt very unconformable in being pet actors. Santa Buddies had alright song, but most of them were pretty forgettable. The worst, had to be the dog, Tony who sings a really sappy song. The movie even have bonus features that include three classic Christmas sing-along songs and Steve Rushton's music video "Santa is coming to town'. The singers in this film, didn't add anything new to the classic songs. It felt like rehash covers, than innovative. The movie comes in Blu-Ray and DVD. There are plenty of bonus material for the kids to look at. Obviously, this movie isn't made for adult, and it makes a hard sit for parents. I think, adults will like it, only if they are huge, pet lovers. Indeed, it will make you say, 'AWWW how cute!". This cute concept is pretty bad. Lots of eye candy with little to no depth. This concept has since spawned tons of awful direct sequels of its own and it needs to end. The franchise really jumped the shark at 2009's Space Buddies. Overall: For pet Christmas movies, it's not the worst. It's no way, near the level of 2001's Kevin of the North AKA Chilly Dogs. Still, it's more entertaining than better rating films like 2009's A Golden Christmas with a similar theme. It's pretty much, harmless for children, but in my opinion, there are better films for children to watch, during the Christmas season than this. Watch it, if you really want to, but I can't recommended it.
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Even then, I'm kinda iffy on the "Ok for kids" part. The buddies movies tend to be eye candy with little plot, stale scripts, and cute, well groomed dogs.
The shows all have the Disney polish we've all come to expect from their films, and nothing in this film looked cheaply done or out of place. The dogs were adorable, and both my kids loved them (6 and 3).
Christopher Lloyd was good, and added a recognizable fixture in a mostly unknown cast. The acting was good and most everyone did a great job with the script they had. Strangely enough, I thought George Wendt (Santa Claus) was the weakest actor. Compared to the rest of the cast his body language and deliveries seemed really off and wasn't on par with the quality of the rest of the film. The plot revolved around a magical icicle they had to stop from melting ... you have to admit that even for a Disney movie that's pretty lame.
Ultimately, Santa Buddies suffers from being just another forgettable, consumable kids movie. Pop it in to keep the kids entertained for a bit, better yet just let 'em play outside. -
wall177 December 2013Watched due to a policy we have of monitoring our kids' "free" viewing choice, a policy we are now reconsidering after sitting through this pile of dog snow. Basically there is no Christmas movie cliché that is not recycled, nor is there a script problem that can't be addressed with "magic blah blah blah".
My wife and I did have a running discussion during the film, though, as to whether George Wendt was (a) drunk (b) deliberately trying to camp it up, or (c) channeling his worst high school play as the inspiration for his performance.
There is some nostalgia value, though: Christopher Lloyd revives his "Jim" character from Taxi, at least we think that's what he's doing. The computer-animated reindeer reminded me of the talking Camels from the pre-1972 Camel cigarette ads.
So, cynical adults, did the kids enjoy it? The six-year old got bored, at the end the nine-year old, whose choice it was, said, "my Christmas wish is that I had chosen another movie for my video time." -
SnakesOnAnAfricanPlain13 December 2011I've never seen an Air Bud movie. I know right? Insanity. But it's Christmas and so I just have to watch a ridiculous amount of Christmas movies, no matter how bad they are. This film just lays it out straight away. Santa and his dog (???) are walking (probably on the spot) in a painfully obvious CGI North Pole. Suddenly the dog talks, with a CGI mouth but a face as blank as a plank of wood. It turns out this is Santa Paws, the dog that delivers presents to all the good puppies in the world. Anyway, the Christmas spirit is dying, and this causes the North Pole to lose power. Puppy Paws, a little ragamuffin that just wants to be a normal puppy, sets off to learn from the Air Buddies. This film will be painful to anybody over the age of 6. Sometimes the animals, such as the reindeer, are completely CGI, but don't fit their surroundings at all. Christopher Lloyd plays a dog catcher named Crooge (I can't believe I'm typing this either). He stalks around like some kind of serial killer, but goes completely slapstick when he needs to catch a dog. The movie also contains a sick and possibly dying little boy, a vomit inducing song, and characters such as B-Dawg. He's a puppy. He break dances. Once again, something that seems to be a staple of kids movies, we have a protagonist that ruins everything. He breaks stuff, gets puppies in trouble, and so on. Why do kids films always have the message that it's OK to be an idiot? How about a character that uses common sense and has some social skills. He doesn't even learn a valuable lesson, those around him just have to accept him for who he is. The less said about the annoying voices the better, but one performance that simply can't be ignored is that of Santa. A supercut needs to be made of his reactions to terrible news. He's a lifeless soul in a film that aims for cute, but smashes through annoying.
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phcyrjf30 November 2021I didn't let my kids finish this. I thought it would be a fun, cute movie to ease us into the holiday spirit, but nearly all of the "jokes" rely on racism and other stereotypes. It was really creepy and uncomfortable.
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Ray310025 November 2021This is the kind of movie you put on to keep your kids entertained and out of your hair for a couple hours. And of course it has puppies. But it's not anything great.
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lisafordeay19 December 2023Santa Buddies The Legend Of Santa Paws is a 2009 direct to dvd film starring Skylar Gisondo and Christopher Lloyd.
At the North Pole, Santa Claus and his chief dog Santa Paws are threatened by the weakening of its magical power source, the icicle which is ruining the Christmas spirit.
When one of the Santa Paws gang leaves the North Pole he flees away to to Fernfield to live as a normal dog and later joins the five Air Buddie siblings. Things however take a turn as a dog catcher named Stan Cruge(Lloyd) is out and aboit taking dogs off the streets. Will the Santa Pup survive the streets?.
Overall its a silly movie but if you like dogs like me then go and watch it. -
Aint_We_All_Sinners24 December 2021One of those classic christmas movies I watch every year and more likely on christmas morning.
It might be cheesy and feel like a low budget kids movie, but it got the right spirit!
Rather watch this then any of Hallmarks christmas movies. -
mnmsymmons28 December 2019Some ok names in this relatively low budget christmas movie. It's actually not bad for young kids. But I couldn't get my head around the acting of Santa, it was so bad I assumed they ran out of money. I was surprised to see it was George Wendt. Anyway, switch this on for the kids and go wrap presents!
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lucynm14 November 2012This movie was full of Christmas magic and inspiration. I loved it, and will always list this movie as one of my favorite Christmas movies. It shows how important it is to have Christmas spirit, and never lose faith in Santa Clause. The puppies in this movie are so cute, I love movies with animals in them. I would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone of all ages! If you ever lose faith in the spirit of Christmas this is a movie to come to. It is so heartwarming and full of love. It reminds us that Christmas is about more than presents, and miracles do come true on Christmas if you truly believe. This movie shows us that those who are bitter and cold have not let Christmas into their hearts. If only you accept Christmas, you will feel it's magic. This movie shows that, and helps to inspire.
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RosanaBotafogo22 April 2023When Puppy Paws, the spirited son of Santa Paws, forgets the true meaning of this time of year, the Buddies must remind him that the spirit of Christmas is about things that can't be wrapped in wrapping paper.
The Buddies remind Santa Paws's son, Paws Patinhas, the true meaning of Christmas.
Yet another Air Buds production, which won't necessarily please the adults, the little ones probably, yes, because of the excess of cuteness.
The puppies are so cute, I thought the movie would be just as cute, but no... I didn't like the voices, the slang, everything was weird, the movie itself didn't help... In 2017 I was already bored with the Buddies... -
crash52325 November 2009I am a big fan of the Air Buddies series. It's hard to find clean fun in movies nowadays, even from Disney. I think my children really enjoy these films. The story lines are sweet and heartwarming but not too complicated for younger ones to misunderstand. I find each of the buddies so unique and creative in their own ways.
As soon as this movie started I noticed that, like all the buddies movies, the CG is terrible, but still believable for little eyes. The scenes of the toy factory really bring in the Christmas spirit for me. I was also surprise to see Christopher Lloyd back in films.. He has a wonderful role in this one. Also the soundtrack and all the songs are just wonderful.
If you don't like the buddies... at least rent this one for your kids.. it's a really touching Christmas tale. It teaches the kids about responsibility for your actions, friendship, giving, and the importance of Christmas cheer. -
rockndaparadise29 November 2009I absolutely love the "Buddies" movies. When I heard of this one coming out, I just desperately wanted to see it! I gotta be honest, this is one of the best Christmas movies I have ever seen in my entire life! While the previous three had some ups and downs, I didn't really see anything bad with this one. Unlike the previous three, "Santa Buddies" helped me learn more about the Buddies than I've ever known before. I always imagined B-Dawg as the possible leader of the Buddies, but I wasn't sure if there really was a leader amongst the five, and while Rosebud did seem to show some good leadership skills compared to her brothers, I believe this movie truly revealed to me that B-Dawg really is the leader. If you watch the film, you'll probably see what I mean. While this is the fourth installment in the "Buddies" series, this was actually the first one to have a song in it, which wasn't necessary but good to have in the film. Also, I might add that compared to other Christmas movies and specials I have seen, the plot to this one is actually very original. Most Christmas specials have one of five plots: 1. A kid has one wish for Christmas that he really wants, 2. Santa Claus has a problem of some kind and wants it resolved, 3. Somebody tries to take over Christmas from Santa, 4. A parody on "A Christmas Carol", or 5. A parody on "It's a Wonderful Life". This movie is not one of those plots. The plot to this movie involves Santa and his helpers trying to get everyone to believe in the Spirit of Christmas. This is a completely original plot that has never been used in any other Holiday movie or special. At least none that I can think of. Overall, this was by far the best of the "Buddies" movies, and it left me looking forward to seeing the next one. Although, I do have kind of a bad feeling that this is probably going to be the last movie of the series. I hope it isn't, but if it is, then I really hope they make a TV series. The Buddies are all great characters that I always look forward to seeing, because each one has a great personality, and I simply adore their chemistry. On a whole, "Santa Buddies" is a wonderful movie that should be in everybody's collection of Christmas movies for years to come.
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SkousenFondue3 June 2021This movies is paws down in the top tier of talking dog movies. A timeless classic that will be on heavy rotation each and every holiday season. Don't waste another minute watching some trashy human try to explain the true meaning of christmas because these pups do it better, and with more heart than even high caliber performers like Tim Allen.