The sequel to Air Bud, Air Bud: Golden Receiver is seeing re-release just in time for this year's Super Bowl as a Special Edition DVD. Air Bud: Golden Retriever includes all of the features found in the original release, but now includes special commentary by the Buddies, stars of Space Buddies and Santa Buddies. Dubbed "The Buddies Sports Channel," the roughly 7-minute feature takes the football segments from the film and adds play-by-play from the Buddies. It's a cute addition, though it didn't pass my child-tested "Cute Puppy" test - the standard I've decided all "Bud" movies will henceforth need to pass. It held interest, but not for long. Thankfully, the feature makes up for the new addition's short lifespan.
Air Bud: Golden Receiver is a direct sequel to the first movie. After proving himself as a basketball star, Bud settles down with his owner Josh (Kevin Zegers) as a normal pet. Meanwhile, Josh and his friend Tom (Shayn Solberg) decide to switch sports from basketball to football as a way to meet girls (apparently a basketball-playing dog and Championship aren't enough). Tom is dead-set on joining the team, while Josh drags his heels. He's interested in the idea, but football isn't his thing.
Josh eventually earns a spot on the team as a backup quarterback. During the team's first game, the starting QB is hurt, forcing Josh into the fray. Enter Bud, the Bo Jackson of the pet world, who shows talent in catching the ball (and understanding the playbook). Together, Josh and Bud set out to help turn the school's down-in-the-dumps football team around.
Although Bud's sports switch is the major focus, there's more going on under the hood that allows things to switch from goofy kids' movie to something a little better (at least for the film's younger audience). Josh is still reeling from his father's death, and his mother's (Cynthia Stevenson) re-entry into the dating world isn't helping. Rather than talk to his mom about his feelings, Josh instead sets out to scare away potential suitors; at least, until his mom starts dating Bud's new vet (Gregory Harrison).
The Bud plot is great, but for me, Josh dealing with his mother's dating is one of the better aspects of the film. I always like when writers are able to sneak something a little bigger, and more personal to the viewing audience, into something a little easier to digest. It certainly helped make the movie more interesting for me, and I can imagine kids dealing with a similar situation finding some sort of support in the plotline.
The only aspect that didn't work for me was the inclusion of two bumbling Russian circus workers plotting to steal Bud after seeing him in action. It helps bring the focus back on Bud and Josh, but at the same time felt unnecessary. For me, the story is really about Josh moving forward with his life. It's a great follow-up to the first movie and more rewarding than another bumbling thieves plot. Thankfully, Josh's relationship with his mom is a big focus, but the Russian plot just distracts things. There's a payoff to the plot, but it seemed a bit forced.
Air Bud: Golden Receiver Special Edition's only misfire is the special feature. Even then, it's more a case of not enough puppy (or, at least, that's what the "Cute Puppy" test indicates). Still, the main feature is a great family movie and worth adding to your family movie collection. Just make sure you hide the included whistle -- it's loud.
