Air Bud: Spikes Back (Video)

Disney's favorite four-legged athlete tries his paw at beach volleyball in Air Bud Spikes Back, a palatable tale that focuses more on its human characters than on its canine wonder boy. School's out and Andrea Framm's best friend moves to California. Many sad goodbyes ensue, followed by Andrea's dogged attempts to earn enough money for an airplane ticket. But babysitting doesn't pay much, and dogsitting becomes a liability when her charges wreak havoc at the Fernfield summer festival. Enter the boy next door, whose love for volleyball could be Andrea's ticket to San Diego. Of course, it takes a dog - and Buddy proves himself behind the net. Obligatory bad guys (numbskull thieves who coerce Buddy into nabbing a prized diamond) and equally inane good guys (assorted ditzy grown-ups) stay true to Air Bud formulae. Only the token finale with volleyball champ/model Gabrielle Reece will puzzle viewers in this otherwise predictable kid-pleaser. - Liane Thomas