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Air Bud Spikes Back (G, 2003)

common sense media says

For young dog lovers only.

parents & educators say
See 2 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there's nothing inappropriate in this film. With the exception of a particularly disgusting vomit scene, this is all silly and fun.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Air Bud Spikes Back

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the responsibilities of pet ownership, and how to deal with friends who move far away.

What's the story?

What's the story?
In AIR BUD SPIKES BACK, golden retriever Buddy is now in the care of Andrea Framm (Katija Pevec), who discovers that Buddy is a talented volleyball player. Buddy becomes a key player on Andrea's team, and they make it into the local championship tournament. But trouble brews when a pair of incompetent thieves set their sights on an enormous diamond on display at the local museum, and Grandma Framm's parrot is kidnapped. Buddy is accused of the crimes and he must find the real culprits and avoid being captured by authorities in time to play in the big game.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Although the dog stars of are adorable (there are four different dogs playing the lead), the movie would be more fun if it just featured them and dispensed with the dull plot. There are too many things going on, and none of it is very well developed, or even presented in a very interesting way.

The best sequence is one in which Andrea and her brother Noah start a dog sitting service, because there's really nothing cuter than a little kid trying to wash a really big dog. Besides that soapy fun, the scenes featuring Buddy playing volleyball are entertaining -- although it's hard to imagine that the opposing teams wouldn't protest having to play against a dog. The acting is flat, the situations unrealistic, and the whole thing terribly predictable. That said, if there are dog lovers in your family, they'll enjoy the canine antics.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Mike Southron
Cast: Cynthia Stevenson, Jake D. Smith, Katija Pevec
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release: June 20, 2003
DVD release: January 5, 2003
MPAA Rating: G
This review was written by Sarah Wenk
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

MovieLover4Lyfe
adult
5
 
As we go into the second movie in the series, there's a loss of charm. Young children will enjoy the 'cute doggy' but there isn't a lot to keep preteens and up interested.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
lexalolu
teen, 14 years old
6
 
not again....
The first movie in this series was really good. (read my review of it...) But by the time we get to the this one, the 5th in the series, they have barely changed the plot, the endings are going from sweet to cheesy, they no longer have the sweet moments that made me cry in the 1st one, and they are GETTING REALLY BORING! My recommendation, see the first 2 and thats it. The rest are boring and stupid, and that is coming from me, a major dog lover. The filmmakers should get with the program and stop making these. They are really starting to get on my nerves... P.s. If you see this same review on the 1st movie in the series, just ignore it andr ead my 5 star one.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)

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