Review Archives

1 | 2 | 3

Today's Date is:

Air Bud Spikes Back

When's Disney's bad, it's REALLY bad, and "Air Bud Spikes Back" is right down there with some of the House of Mouse's worst sequels. Anyone familiar with the first four films (the first two weren't enough) will undoubtedly recognize the plot elements coming into play: the token villains and oddly misplaced adults, the protagonist whose life changes because of the inclusion of the titular four-legged animal- should I continue? The "Air Bud" formula has become so derivative that even families will notice the pattern long before it emerges, and although young children will get a kick out of the requisite moments, there's really nothing special here.

A very nice-looking fullframe transfer. Color saturation is in fine form, with accurate fleshtones and solid blacks throughout, while contrast is pleasing, although it gives way to a handful of artifacts here and there. Edges are sharp with minimal halos visible, and there is some visible film grain during the entire presentation. ***

The sound is mastered in Dolby Digital 5.1, and is good enough, but not the greatest. Surround usage is generally noticeable, but somewhat meak, while the front end stereo separation is fair, and dialogue sounds natural. Deep bass from the .1 LFE is present sometimes, but not that impressive.