Air Bud: World Pup
What’s the Story?
In AIR BUD: WORLD PUP, Buddy and his owner Josh (Kevin Zegers) join the school soccer team, which includes a pretty new student from England named Emma. While Kevin falls for Emma and Buddy finds love with Emma's dog Polly, the soccer team gradually continues to improve, despite an opposing coach's attempt to get Buddy banned from the league. After Polly has a litter of puppies, a pair of nefarious dog-nappers steals the pups on the day of the championship soccer game. Kevin, Emma, and Buddy track down the thieves and return to the game in the nick of time for Buddy to score the winning goal.
Is It Any Good?
Air Bud: World Pup a big heart and positive values involving sharing, cooperation, and friendship, but never gets preachy or sappy. There are also lots of adorable dogs, the soccer scenes are well filmed, and young children will marvel at Buddy's athletic prowess.
For older kids, the movie touches on such issues as first love and dealing with a parent's remarriage. The movie is also refreshingly non-sexist, typified by Emma's superior soccer skills and an epilogue featuring appearances by U.S. Women's Soccer Team notables Brandi Chastain, Brianna Scurri, and Trisha Venturini.

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