Good idea lost in the noise

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

I love the previous Air Bud: Golden Receiver and I loved this one as well. Again, I am surprised at all the negative comments that were written about this movie. Folks, it is a "Family Friendly" movie, does that make no sense to you? It's not your sex, action, gory movie your so used to watching. It is a down to earth honest to good film, where good morals are being taught in my view. It may have it's cheesy moments but that doesn't change the fact that It is a good story, and I will be honest we need more good films like this made, but obviously Hollywood doesn't know how to cut it. Josh Framm returns and his amazing Buddy, this time around Soccer is the main sport, Girls and Teenage hormones are the main focus, and our friendly Buddy becomes a daddy as he brings several "Buddies" into the picture. What I really liked is how they brought the lawyer from Jurassic Park into the picture, and again, he plays a greedy bad guy. The pup "Buddies" are cute and likable and the story in all is good. It is a fun tale of sports, romance, and being yourself, plus a bunch of amazing Golden Retriever puppies.10/10 for Air Bud 3: World Pup

I feel like the only reason this movie exists is to have Air Bud learn soccer and to introduce Air Bud's pups. (not the buddies) This movie really didn't need to exist. It's not terrible, it's just kind of okay. Air Bud is still endearing and the soccer games are fun to watch but Josh (the boy from the last movies) and his relationship issues are boring to watch. They're pointless and could be written out entirely. Heck, they don't even show his girlfriend in Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch, so what was the point of that? Did they really need that pointless filler in an 83 minute movie? Okay maybe they did but it could've been filled with anything else.

Of all the movies in the "Air Bud" franchise, this is certainly one of them. It has a huge advantage over the other's right up front—Soccer is a sport a dog could legitimately play. It's low to the ground, the ball fits between a dog's legs, it's high speed, and you can use your face. Arguably it's a little physical for them but seriously who is going to slide tackle a dog? I was very concerned he wasn't wearing shin-guards though, and maybe a mask. There could have been a serious injury to our beloved Buddy.But we should get to the movie itself. The baddies here are dog catchers I think. They drive a dog catcher van and seem to be at the beginning. But then their motivation is unclear later. They make it their mission to catch "Baby" the lady dog of the film. Why? Initially because she loses her collar, and then… I don't know. I can't figure out when they switch from doing their jobs to being baddies but they are suddenly jamming puppies into a hamper to sell. It's very confusing.Not as confusing as a Swiss Army knife with a dog whistle in it. But that exists in this movie. No, it seriously does. It's vital to the plot. I searched the internet but couldn't find one, if someone does I would love to have it. Why didn't he just give him a standard whistle around his neck like every other dog movie? He never uses the knife function.Cruella Deville would have been a more effective villain.To the rest of the movie… so Buddy meets a girl dog! Baby is a darker lady (Buddy got that jungle fever) in a rich family (Buddy is a gold diggah). He dates her behind his family's back, because as cool as Josh has been about Buddy being the only one competent in sports, he knows they'd never approve of their relationship. Though at least they'll be pure-breds am I right? I can't imagine the shock if Buddy met a black lab.So, the current oldest child has to play a sport already. Josh is still around so we'll have him do it. First, Andrea has started playing on the soccer team. And that team has zero dogs the entire movie because she isn't the oldest. YOU WAIT YOUR TURN ANDREA!She's coached by "megahottie" (according to Josh) Elizabeth Tudor. Elizabeth is a rich British girl with a terrible fake accent. The actress was born in Florida, I have trouble believing she's even been to England. It's just… terrible. I can't even tell why she's British. Because she's rich and likes soccer?Anyway, Josh is immediately smitten (or terrifyingly obsessed depending on your point of view). He watches her. Non-stop. Every practice. Well, the camera acts like it's her. Maybe it was actually one of the little girls.Then they form a soccer team. They're not good. Josh joins so that he can watch Elizabeth some more.Later, Josh finally goes to a party at her house (discovering she was rich) and takes advice from a kid who might literally have a mental delay. He spends every game standing in front of the opposing goal (no off-sides call?) hoping the ball bounces of him in a beneficial way. Luckily, it seems to do so a surprising amount. It's a terrifying look into the world before you could search the internet for "how to talk to girls".Anyway, Buddy decides to play soccer. I skipped a bunch but I'm on a word count limit here, and it's a Buddy movie you can fill in the details. He's great. As well he should be for the reasons discussed supra. They win games. BUT WAIT! There's something in the rulebook that says that dogs can't play soccer! Or, they add it to the rulebook. Or something. The point is when one player can't play they disqualify the entire team. After letting them drive all the way to an away game. "This dog has played for two other Fernfield High teams!"This is short lived as the evil commissioner has a change of heart after his kid calls him a wimp. Dogs can play soccer again! This entire exchange has all the tension of finding a jersey for Buddy. We all know he's going to play, it's in the title. You never think "will he or won't he" you think "how much of the movie are we going to spend with this?".Also, Buddy has puppies in this time. No one questions the fact that he's been sleeping with this dog secretly while they aren't married. No one questions either family for not spaying or neutering their pets. Baby is just suddenly "not feeling well" and then crapping 8-week-old puppies all over the place. They come out 8-weeks-old and grow to be a year old within the next two weeks of soccer tension. The cover indicates that they might play soccer, but they never do. They just get their own jerseys and play amongst themselves. Why not? Josh's team has zero subs and we've established dogs can play. Might as well flesh out the rest of the team. I can't imagine how they're running so much otherwise.Thing happen with the puppies, the Brit, Buddy, and Josh are late. How did they even play without them? They don't have any subs. Anyway… They win the championship! Shocker. Buddy is always such a hero. So now he can be called upon by adults. It's World Cup time luckily (if he had to wait three years for the next World Cup he'd die). It's a shootout which leads you to think we're going to have Buddy take that final shot. But he plays goalie! Which… WHY?!?! He never played goalie before! I died a little inside right then.

I really enjoyed this movie. I have seen most of the other air buds and am wondering what sports they will come up with next. Tennis, Gymnastics? well i am a soccer player and really did like it, especially as a kid. In the movie it also makes a point that no matter what you are you can do anything. Out of all of the Air Buds, this is by far my favorite. I suggest it for family's. Also another good Air Bud movie I liked was Air Buddies. Some people may not like that one because the dogs talk but that was my other favorite. It is more for kids than adults but some may still enjoy it. i don't know what to write so i am just typing stuff sorry. I hope you enjoy this movie and find this helpful.