Air Bud: World Pup
- Review Date: April 10, 2005
- Rated: G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Release Year: 2000
- Running Time: 83 minutes
Common Sense Media says
Wholesome, endearing dog movie will delight grade schoolers.
- Review Date: April 10, 2005
- Rated: G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Release Year: 2000
- Running Time: 83 minutes
What parents need to know
Educational value
Positive role models
Violence & scariness
Sexy stuff
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this direct-to-video production is predictable but wholesome and entertaining family fare that's ideal for younger kids. There is some dog-napping, but it isn't very scary and the puppies are safely returned. There's lots of sports action for grade school-age kids, and older kids will relate to the themes of first love and forming new school friendships. There's a scene in which an older man has chronic flatulence while he's being interviewed to be hired as a butler.
User reviews
Parents say
Kids say
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 while 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?
QUALITY
Air Bud: World Pup has a big heart and positive values involving sharing, cooperation, and friendship, but it never gets preachy or sappy. There also are 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 also is 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 Scurry, and Trisha Venturini.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about how Kevin deals with his first crush. What would you do in his situation?
If you've seen other Air Bud movies, how is this one similar to and different from the ones you've seen?
How is the issue of a new stepfather in the family addressed? What does the stepfather do to get closer to Josh?
Movie details
| Theatrical release date: | April 5, 2000 |
| DVD release date: | December 12, 2000 |
| Cast: | Caitlin Wachs, Dale Midkiff, Kevin Zegers |
| Director: | Bill Bannerman |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Topics: | Sports and martial arts |
| Run time: | 83 minutes |
| MPAA rating: | G |
Great handpicked alternatives
For kids who love dogs and soccer
Top advice and articles
What parents and kids say
Share your thoughts with other parents and kids Write a user review
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines
QUALITY
Was this review useful?
QUALITY
A dog-gone good love story. That said theres not actually much soccer played in this movie.
Was this review useful?
QUALITY
More romance than action.
I'm wondering if the the common sense review person actually watched the movie. The story is really a love story. A love story about 2 dogs and 2 teenagers. It is fine, but there is not as much soccer or action as we would have hoped. Much more love, love, love. It think the target of this movie is a girl for sure probably around 7-8, who is interested in romance. There is the "girl power" theme heavily at the end with professional world cup players. My 2 boys enjoyed it (ages 3 and 6) but it was different than we thought it would be.
It is fine for younger kids like 3-5, but not really interesting for them.
There is also a kidnapping scene of the puppies of the dogs. It isn't horribly scary, but it did raise alarm in the kids. It came from no where and for no reason. While there isn't a true "bad guy" that they are fighting through the movie, there are dog catchers at the end come and take the puppies for no apparent reason or build up (which makes it less scary). The situation is resolved, however, in a funny manner without violence
What other families should know
Too much violence
Was this review useful?
Poll
What are the different ways that you access Common Sense Media ratings and information? (Check all that apply)
What are the different ways that you access Common Sense Media ratings and information? (Check all that apply)
Total votes: 760