Air BudFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Air Bud is the 1997 feature film that sparked the franchise centered around the fictional dog Buddy, a Golden Retriever. The movie's title may be wordplay with "Air Jordan", a nickname of basketball superstar Michael Jordan.
The original movie was successful, grossing US$4 million in its opening weekend and totaling US$24 million for its final run, against an estimated $3 million budget.
Plot:
The plot revolves around a 12-year-old boy, Josh Framm, who has an interest in basketball. After the death of his father, Josh moves with his family to a new town and is too shy to try out for his middle school's basketball team and too shy to make any friends. Through a series of coincidences, Josh meets Buddy, a Golden Retriever who escaped his cruel owner, an alcoholic clown Norman Snively. Josh soon learns that Bud has a stupenderific ability to play the sport of basketball.
Buddy becomes the mascot of Josh's school's basketball team and begins appearing in their halftime shows. But just before the championship game, Buddy's original owner Snively decides that it is time for him to cash in on the dog's success. He takes Buddy back but Josh rescues him and decides to set him free to find someone else. Initially his team is losing at the championship until Buddy shows up. When it is discovered that there is no rule that a dog cannot play basketball, Buddy joins the roster to lead the team to a come from behind championship victory. Snively sues the Framm family for custody of Bud. It is decided that the dog will choose who will be its rightful owner at the suggestion of Josh's coach, a former Knicks player. Buddy attacks Snively and runs to Josh causing the judge to grant custody of Buddy to Josh while Snivley is dragged away by the police.
Air BudDirected by Charles Martin Smith
Average customer review:
Product Description
A young boy and a talented stray dog with an amazing basketball playing ability become instant friends. Rebounding from his father's accidental death, 12-year-old Josh Framm moves with his family to the small town of Fernfield, Washington. The new kid in town, Josh has no friends and is too shy to try out for the school basketball team. Instead he prefers tp practice alone on an abandoned court, he befriends a runaway golden retriever named Buddy. Josh is amazed when he realizes that Buddy loves basketball...that is playing basketball...and he is GOOD! Josh eventually makes the school team and Buddy is named the Team Mascot. Josh and Buddy become the stars of halftime. Buddy's half-time talent draws media attention. Unfortunately, when Buddy's mean former owner, Norm Snively, comes along with a scheme to cash in on the pup's celebrity, it looks like they are going to be separated.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #8822 in DVD
- Brand: Team Marketing
- Released on: 1998-02-04
- Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
- Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
- Original language: English
- Number of discs: 1
- Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, 1.00 pounds
- Running time: 98 minutes
- Classic DVD
- Exclusive interviews, highlights, and behind the scenes coverage
- DVD's main menu allow you to jump directly to the action
- Presented in full-screen digital video
Amazon.com
Moviegoers and more than a few critics found much to enjoy in this Disney film about a lost dog named Buddy. The canine is befriended by a lonely boy and proceeds to become the star of the kid's junior high school basketball team. Demonstrating an abundance of on- and off-court agility, Buddy can dribble like a pro (no, not the wet kind of dribble), and he never misses a shot. Michael Jeter plays Buddy's original owner who returns to get his dog back (don't worry, he's an unworthy weasel), and director Charles Martin Smith brings a refreshing flair to the climactic basketball scenes. Air Bud was a modest hit for Disney, and the film's entertaining vitality gets a touch of poignancy from the fact that Lucky, the canine actor in the title role, died of cancer not long after the film was released. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Good Family film!
A golden retriever that can not only play basketball by shooting with his nose, but can later on play football, baseball, soccer, and volleyball. Realistic? No, not at all. A good family film? Yes. When I was younger I loved watching Air Bud, especially the first one right here. This film is about a young boy who lost his father to an accident that needs a friend. Then a dog shows up. Soon he discovers that he can play basketball! And so the movie continues!
This is a great family film to watch. I still do enjoy watching some of the Air Buds. One thing is for sure. If you watch one Air Bud, you gotta watch them all! If you've seen another Air Bud or are just looking for a good family film, this is definately for you!!!
Good for the kids
My son really likes this movie, and it is enjoyable enough for the parents to watch with him.
Movie for all ages
Air BudIf you don't care for all the violent movies out there now, this is a great movie for the whole family, Air Bud World Pup is another good one. Really enjoyed watching this and I am a senior citizen.
