Rating -

Cast & Crew info:
Kevin Zegers
Josh Framm
Gregory Harrison
Robert
Cynthia Stevenson
Jackie Framm
Nora Dunn
Natalya
Perry Anzilotti
Popon

Produced by Michael Strange, Anne Vince, Robert Vince and William Vince; Drected by Richard Martin; Screenwritten by Paul Tamasy and Aaron Mendelsohn

Children's (US); Rated G; Running Time - 90 Minutes

Official Site

Domestic Release Date
August 14, 1998

Review Uploaded
09/07/98

A note to children who wish to see the new Air Bud movie:

Please don’t. I know you think that the cute golden retriever is any reason to see movies, and I know you want to see what tricks he can pull up his sleeve in this type of situation, but don’t. Re-watch the original.

It was a fun and warm movie, as you may remember. Little Josh moved to a new town, went to a rough school, and had no friends. Then came the dog, and Josh’s life changed forever. While he was failing miserably on the basketball team, he discovered the dog’s great ability to dunk the basketball, and one day at a big game, he brought him right into the court. People tried to stop the dog from playing, but it wasn’t mentioned in the restrictions that he couldn’t. The team got to the championship, all because of that adorable dog.

Now there’s a new movie. Josh is grown, and the dog is back, but this time, it’s football instead of basketball that needs help. When he happily enters the field, the announcer of the game notes: "Air Bud has returned." He has, but in no similar way from the original.

Here, you may not notice this is a different dog. Oh yes, the original Air Bud has died. As sad as it seems, I hope you understand that his time to leave the good Earth finally came. He was a great pooch, and we’ll all miss him. Now, in the sequel, a similar dog fills his shoes. He has the same cool moves as you may remember from the first Air Bud film, but there is two main differences from both movies. There were moments in the first that made you cry, made you laugh, and made you happy. Air Bud 2 only has the ability to make you laugh (occasionally), and nothing other. There’s no sorrow in story or characterization, and no real moments of uplifting happiness and joy.

It’s been done before, with great story and whirling characters. It cannot be done again, especially after seeing the sequel’s overall impact. Please, PLEASE, just see the original again, for you and your parents’ sake.

The first one made you cry. Part two will make you sigh.