Max (2015)
Writers: Boaz Yakin, and Sheldon Lettich
Cast: Thomas Haden Church (Ray Wincott), Josh Wiggins (Justin Wincott), Luck Kleintank (Tyler Harne), Lauren Graham (Pamela Wincott), Robbie Amell (Kyle Wincott), Mia Xitlali (Carmen), Dejon LaQuake (Chuy), Jay Hernandez (Sergeant Reyes), Owen Harn (Deputy Stack), and Joseph Julian Soria (Emilo).
The films that have animals as one of their main characters makes for a good family night at the movies. Let me explain that a bit, Old Yeller
(1957), Eight Below (
2006), are examples of dog, animal movies that are feel good films with a unique twist. The film starts off with the first act being simple, introducing the characters. Military movies that have animals in them are heart wrenching, because they bring out the patriot in you, i mean that in the most honest way, but it does. Imagine a dog in combat getting killed in action, it sucks but it happens, their not made out of titanium. The film continues using the cute, and noble animals, to set the stage for a good movie that hits you directly in the heart. I guess movies like this no matter what animal the studio uses, it still hits me pretty hard. Well i guess if your watching Cujo (1983) 
then the direction turns to the horror department. Either way, this film is a feel good, animal movie.Max is a military sniffing dog, that basically warns soldiers of danger before it happens. The dog's handler is Kyle Wincott (Robbie Amell
), they're in Afghanistan on a mission, his best friend Tyler (Luke Kleintank) is in the weapons business, but not like you think. The weapons are delivered to a buyer stateside which makes things very difficult for Kyle (Amell) who just wants to be a soldier. Yes his friend betrays him, but Kyle covers for Tyler, and what happens next is pretty hard. The next morning the soldiers all go on a mission, Max
(Carlos) leads the soldiers to an very large opening, Max stops, but his handler takes advice from Tyler (Luke Kleintank), so Kyle advances the group, an explosion, gunfire, mass chaos, Kyle dies in combat. Meanwhile, Tyler knew of the enemy combatants in that location.Justin Wincott (Josh Wiggins) is your typical young kid who cares only for his video games, but when the family is notified via the Marines. the heart wrenching scene of the Marines walking up to the house hits you hard. The Marines coming to your house to tell you your soldier, son or daughter has died. Max approaches Kyle's casket at the funeral and suddenly stands on his hind legs, almost looks like he is embracing him. A moment here takes you deeper in that place with Tyler and Deputy Stack (Owen Harn). They both run weapons to whatever buyer they could find, this time the drug cartel came out to buy. Justin (Josh Wiggins), Carmen (Mia Xitlali), and Chuy (Dejon Laquake) are friends that become curious and locate the meeting between the Cartel, and Tyler. The good soldier, lied about Kyle's death, and his current situation. Ray Wincott (Thomas Haden Church)
only wanted some closure, but all he got was lies from Tyler, up until he was caught in the act.The film has it's ups and downs, despite the heartache feeling you get in some of the scenes, because in the end it's all entertainment. Let's get right to the negative, and it's very noticeable. The big action sequence was done badly, the dog fight was to much, it almost felt like it was rushed. The last part of the film i could do without, because up until that very point the film was headed in a good direction. Remember Sergeant Reyes (Jay Hernandez), in the film he was the character that gave Justin the dvd of Kyle and Max. The film should've continued that part of the story, yet it all ended with a phone call, and the studio went with a bad action sequence. Imagine if the Cartel thought it was double crossed, everyone in that particular scene would be killed, period. And what about the big chase scene with the big truck, the tires were shot, and yet the truck moved like it had chains on them. Not being picky, but really. Remember Old Yeller, the film had strong connections, there was no big action scene needed to dumb down the movie, or in the case for Max, the action killed what would've been a perfect film. Max might of been a military dog, but their was to vicious dogs on top of Max, and yet he managed to escape. I understand he was smart, but the Rottweilers weren't stupid either, in fact they should've managed to play out the scene with out being out smarted. These dogs were put to use back in the day, roles that included messengers, ambulance, and guard dogs. The sad thing is these dogs are portrayed as beasts in film and the media. The Rottweilers are courageous dogs that should've been a bit more in the film, instead of the evil incarnate that was on film.
Max was by far the showcase, he really did well in all of his scenes, it was done in fact filmed tight. What i mean by that is the shots weren't loose, or all over the place. The film had some problems which i had described, but what film doesn't have issues, it goes to show that even movie producers when they see a pitch to a film, everything might go south, depending on what type of film it is. Movie big wigs are always trying for the big money. The main issue i have with these types of films is Hollywood is always telling the story that best fits there image. The bad Rottweilers, bad cop, a buddy that betrayed his friend and family. The plot was just that, a basic plot that had a super-smart dog. The film had to much for it's own good, it was a good film but some of the scenes were to much for me to handle, and i mean the realism behind it was poorly done. The movie should've had more scenes in Afghanistan, more Max in combat. either way the film was good, not the best but good enough to watch and enjoy.
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