In the past two years, I've watched so many Buddies movies they've managed to earn their own shelf on my media rack. Though usually not the best of films, they're still pretty doggone enjoyable, or at least the members of the "Buddies Sounding Board" -- the elite special operations team called in just for Buddies movies -- seems to think so.

The Search of Santa Paws is what you get when you set out to make a Buddies movie, but forget to add the Buddies. Talking dogs are everywhere, but the plot's focus is shifted more towards human characters. It'll disappoint younger viewers, but the change is nothing but a positive. Without the need to find a way to insert all five puppies into the plotline, Search for Santa Paws is allowed to focus on developing a stronger, tighter story. Though not a complete success on all levels, it certainly gives the movie a much-needed emotional tie (probably too heavy of one, actually) that Legend of Santa Paws was missing.

After Santa's (Richard Riehle) friend and fellow toymaker Mr. Hucklebuckle dies, he heads to New York City. Before his death, Hucklebuckle gives Santa one last gift, a stuffed dog that Santa brings to life and names Paws. The two decide to take a trip to New York City where, in the first of the film's trauma-inducing moments, Santa is hit by a cab and loses his memory. In the flurry of action that follows, Santa is separated from Paws and a grifter (Chris Coppola) steals Santa's magic crystal.

The amnesiac Santa is taken in by the Huckles, who now run Mr. Hucklebuckle's toy shop, which is in danger of closing unless the Huckle's turn a profit during Christmas. Fortunately, the Huckle's disoriented friend has just the look to play the in-store Santa.

Meanwhile, the lost Paws becomes friends with a lonely orphan, Quinn (Kaitlyn Maher), who decides to help reunite Paws with Santa. However, Quinn has problems of her own in the form of Ms. Stout (Wendi McLendon-Covey), a selfish, mentally abusive foster mother who hates dogs just as much as she hates kids. Cue another traumatic incident: Stout hates kids so much she forces the girls in her charge to throw their toys into the incinerator and has a habit of locking bad kids in the basement.

Eventually, the quest to reunite Paws with his jolly owner brings all three plotlines together, though Paws isn't exactly the focus of the movie. At times, he's relegated to the role of sidekick. In a way, The Search for Santa Paws is closer to the original Air Bud than any other movie in the series. It doesn't quite hit the same emotional notes as the original, due in large part to its reliance of one-note stereotypical characters and standby Holiday clichés, but it is easily more enjoyable than Legend of Santa Paws. At the very least, kids were able to sit through this one.

As for the film's "trauma-inducing" moments, they're not so bad to actually scar kids for life, but they are scary when compared to past movies. Santa's run-in with a NYC cab isn't a high-impact collision, but seeing Santa hurt in any way might cause younger viewers some concern. Ms. Stout is a little harsher. She's no worse than Miss Hannigan in Annie, but when taken alongside villains from previous movies, she's Hannibal Lecter.

Like other Disney releases, The Search of Santa Paws comes as a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. A DVD copy is also available, but I tend to recommend the two-disc set over just the DVD if you have a Blu-ray player. The Search of Santa Paws isn't a movie that requires HD, but it's nice to have the option. Besides, its always nice to have a backup copy around.

Although the movie is "Buddies Free," the pups show up in the short, animated storybook "The Huckleberry Hero." I personally got nothing from the experience, but it hits the right notes to make younger kids happy. The Search of Santa Paws also packs in a "Sing-Along Mode," which overlays lyrics on the screen every time (and I mean EVERY time) a song plays in the movie.

Additional extras include the requisite Disney Channel star music video and a large selection of deleted scenes. The best thing about the scenes is watching a bunch of dogs run around with motion sensors on their faces.

In the grand spectrum of Air Bud-related movies, The Search of Santa Paws isn't the worst of the bunch, nor is it the best. It's entertaining enough for younger kids, though the lack of Buddies, or lack of dogs for that matter, may come as a bit of a disappointment.

---