It's hard not to be endeared by a family dog movie like Max, about a military dog who forms an unbreakable bond with the younger brother (Josh Wiggins) of his fallen handler Kyle (The Flash's Robbie Amell). Directed by Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans), the film mimics similar movies that have come before -- Old Yeller, Lassie, Beethoven, Air Bud, etc. -- much to a fault. However, Max's defining quality, the military backstory, gives it some added depth -- even if those parts also become tedious at times.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Max is Max himself (played by several Belgian Malinois). Even with co-stars Thomas Haden Church and Lauren Graham (who play the bereaved parents) in the movie, it's the dogs who give the most convincing performance here -- and that's not a slight against the human actors; I genuinely mean the dogs give great performances.
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Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Max is Max himself (played by several Belgian Malinois). Even with co-stars Thomas Haden Church and Lauren Graham (who play the bereaved parents) in the movie, it's the dogs who give the most convincing performance here -- and that's not a slight against the human actors; I genuinely mean the dogs give great performances.
Continue reading…
Continue reading...