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DVD Sports
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Written by Abbie Bernstein
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Wednesday, 04 February 1998 |
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title:
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Air Bud |
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studio:
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Walt Disney Home Video |
| MPAA rating: |
G |
| starring: |
Michael Jeter, Kevin Zegers, Wendy Makkena, Eric Christmas, Bill Cobbs, Buddy the dog |
| release year: |
1997 |
| film rating: |
Three stars |
| sound/picture: |
Two and a half stars |
| reviewed by: |
Abbie Bernstein |
Question: doesn't putting out a full-frame DVD for a film that was
originally shot with a widescreen aspect ratio defeat half the purpose
of having the movie on DVD in the first place? If you can get past this
and you like animals, 'Air Bud' turns out to be a perfectly decent
boy-and-his-dog movie. It's sweet and even borderline plausible, a lot
closer to an updated version of 'Lassie' than its far-fetched premise
might suggest.
Buddy is a golden retriever, who escapes from a cruel owner and finds
refuge with young Josh, whose mom has just moved the family to a new
town following the death of Josh's dad. Buddy turns out to have a
talent for playing basketball, which is soon capitalized on by Josh's
school team.
Although it has numerous scenes of Rube Goldberg-like slapstick, 'Air
Bud' focuses mainly on the bond between child and dog. Kids and even
grownups who like animal movies will find the relationship pretty
affecting. Director Charles Martin Smith starred as an actor in 'Never
Cry Wolf' and demonstrates that he knows a thing or two about how to
work with canines here, mustering up a sense of awe about the whole
concept of human/animal interaction. Without preaching, 'Air Bud'
actually urges us to think about how extraordinary it is that a human
can make his wishes known to a non-human and, more, that the non-human
should care enough to cooperate. It helps that Buddy is not made to
seem unduly like a hairy member of our own species; apart from his
ball-bouncing abilities, he behaves like any other domestic canine.
The sound is pleasant if unspectacular, with an especially nice mix of
unobtrusive scoring and ambient sound in Chapter 5. The use of
saturated color throughout is quite effective, giving 'Air Bud' a look
that is almost classic Technicolor. For particularly good examples of
dog training (a real dog, not an animatronic, is always shown when
Buddy is playing ball), check out Chapters 8 and 10.
The plot of 'Air Bud' is unarguably derivative and contrived, but the
emotions it showcases are authentic--anyone who has ever delightedly
observed new behavior in a pet will be able to relate to Josh's
euphoric pride in his dog. On the other hand, if you don't like
animals, this will not be your cup of movie kibble.
| more details |
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sound format:
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Dolby Surround |
| special features: |
Original Theatrical Trailer, Chapter Search |
| comments: |
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| reference system |
| DVD player: |
Kenwood DV-403 |
| receiver: |
Kenwood VR-407 |
| main speakers: |
Paradigm Atom |
| center speaker: |
Paradigm CC-170 |
| rear speakers: |
Paradigm ADP-70 |
| subwoofer: |
Paradigm PDR-10 |
| monitor: |
27-inch Toshiba |
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