Hey, everyone! Welcome to another session of movie reviewing! Today, we review a rather interesting film that may yet have had one of the more creative premises in Disney history. In fact very creative for a simple story that turned into a franchise that consisted of an additional theatrical sequel, quite a few sequels, and, apparently, an upcoming theatrical sequel that is evidently coming out sometime next year. What’s even more is that this film that we are about to review was released during a summer that gave us not one, not two, but three films that were released in one summer alone. That’s right! We are talking about the summer 1997, when we had Disney films Hercules in June 1997, George Of The Jungle in July 1997, and this film, Air Bud, in August 1997. So now, let’s discuss the one, and only Air Bud!
Plot: After the death of his father, 12-year-old Josh Framm (Kevin Zegers), his widowed mother, Jackie (Wendy Makenna), and his two-year-old sister, Andrea, relocate to the fictional city of Fernfied, Washington. Josh has lost interest in many activities, including his passion for basketball. But one day, when a golden retriever, who ends up escaping his previous owner, a clown named Norm Snively (Michael Jeter), walks into the life of Josh, and his family, they name him Buddy. With Buddy having the unique ability of shooting hoops into a basket on a basketball court, can he help reignite Josh’s passion for basketball? Also, with Norm on the hunt to track Buddy down, can Josh, and his family maintain the rights to keep Buddy if Norm tracks him down?
Wow, what an awesome way to end the summer of 1997 by making this the last Disney film to be released around that time! I’m not sure if this film is well known due to it having one, soon to be two theatrical sequels, along with some direct-to-video films, or if this film is not well known in spite of all of that. Well, if there aren’t as many people out there who have seen this film, or heard of it, then those who haven’t need to give Air Bud a shot (pun intended in this case). Why? Well, for one, the thing that likely makes even live-action films like Air Bud stand out from other live-action films in the Disney library is that if you end up watching this film, and you didn’t know that was made by that company, it would be hard to tell that it was made by them. Yeah, you heard that right. I mean maybe other live-action Disney films like Cool Runnings, Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale, and the like would probably have a similar feeling. But back mainly to Air Bud! Had the film been made by a different movie company, like Touchstone Pictures, Columbia Pictures, or maybe even Warner Pictures, example, chances are Air Bud would have probably been just as good, maybe even slightly better. Yeah, hard to believe, right? So what helps make this film a great one? Well, for one, there are some opening shots. I don’t know how to best describe it, except for there being amazing cinematography, and a beautiful score to go along with it. Speaking of which, Brahm Wenger composes the score for this film. I will say that though it’s in the beginning where his score shines, his score is still really great throughout the rest of the film. Then there’s the character development. Man, are they all really well developed, especially main character Josh Framm, Buddy (aka Air Bud), and the clown man, who’s basically the villain of this film, Norm Snively. For Josh, and Buddy’s relationship, it may resemble that of similar movie relationships like Jesse, and Willy’s on Free Willy, for example. However, one of the main highlights of the man, and animal relationship in this case is how, one, Buddy is talented with using his nose for shooting baskets, for example. Second, Buddy helps serve as a metaphor as to why dogs truly are considered man’s best friend. I mean to have this kid show love, and compassion to this dog by any means necessary, and for the dog to not only be Josh’s friend, as well as help him overcome hurts like grief of the loss of his father, and more, this film does truly serve as a reminder as to why dogs are some of the best pets, and companions that humans can have. Truly, because people Norm Snively help the audience see the abusive side of humans by showing how cruel, and abusive humans can be go either dogs, or other animals for that matter, while Josh serves has the more kinder, loving, and compassionate side for animals, that helps truly makes this movie all the more well done. Additionally, Air Bud has everything else that you can ask for, from a mostly well-developed story, well-written characters, hilarious moments, and even serious moments. I mean even though Air Bud may not have the same level of comedic that say Disney films like Hercules, or George Of The Jungle (again, both of which were also released in the summer 1997), Air Bud still has a charm of it’s own, and works well as a film that balances both it’s funny, and more serious moments. What’s more is that people will likely feel touched by both, Josh, and Buddy, and their relationship with each other. If there were any negatives to mention about Air Bud, it would be that the ending probably felt a little rushed. The ending was still very good. It’s just that it could have probably gone on a little longer. Thankfully, there are additional scenes during some of the end credits. Oh, that reminds me, please don’t be so quick to turn this film when the credits roll. You’ll want to see some additional scenes that play even when some of the credits roll.
And that’s my review for Air Bud. Truly, because this film seems to stand out from other Disney films, live-action, or animated, and in a really good way at that, Air Bud is a film that you’ll be glad to watched after seeing it. Heck, you might even want to rewatch it a second time, or more even after seeing it for the first time. The characters are awesome, the story is well done, the score is really beautiful, and well done, and you’ll come to appreciate a lot of things in life after seeing it, be it animals like dogs, sports like basketball, and more, you name it. It is so hard to believe that a couple years from now, Air Bud will be reaching its 30th anniversary. Man, does time fly! Well, if you haven’t seen Air Bud yet, and what a film from Disney that seems more original, and different from typical Disney fare, then all the more reason to see this one of a kind film. You’ll be surprised, and amazed afterwards! That I can guarantee you on. Well, again, see this film, and see what you think!
Final Rating: 9.5/10
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 