REVIEW – MAX on Blu-ray

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Max

• Running Time: 111 minutes
• Rated PG for action violence, peril, brief language and some thematic elements
• ASIN: B00ZQ36R4Y
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• SRP $35.99 FOR Blu-ray and $28.98 for DVD

A precision-trained military dog, Max serves on the frontlines in Afghanistan alongside his handler, U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott. But when things go terribly wrong on maneuvers, Kyle is mortally wounded and Max, traumatized by the loss of his best friend, is unable to remain in service. Sent stateside, the only human he seems willing to connect with is Kyle’s teenage brother, Justin, so Max is saved when he is adopted by Kyle’s family. But Justin has issues of his own, including living up to his father’s expectations, and he isn’t interested in taking responsibility for his brother’s troubled dog. However, Max may be Justin’s only chance to discover what really happened to his brother that day on the front, and with the help of Carmen, a tough-talking young teen who has a way with dogs, Justin begins to appreciate his canine companion. Justin’s growing trust in Max helps the four-legged veteran revert back to his heroic self, and as the pair race to unravel the mystery, they find more excitement—and danger—than they bargained for. But they each might also find an unlikely new best friend…in each other.
Co-writer/director Boaz Yakin (“Remember the Titans,” “Fresh”) directed the film from a screenplay he wrote with Sheldon Lettich. Karen Rosenfelt and Ken Blancato produced the film alongside executive producers Ben Ormand and Yakin.
BLU-RAY AND DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Working with Max: Meet the dogs that play “Max” and see inside tricks of the trade!
• Hero Dogs: A Journey – Get a behind-the-scenes look at amazing military trained K9s.

“MAX” STANDARD DEFINITIION DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Working with Max: Meet the dogs that play “Max” and see inside tricks of the trade

“Max” is a movie made in honor of the many service dogs and handlers that die while serving our country. Max is the story of the relationship and bond between a teenage boy Josh and a service dog named Max. Josh is a troubled teen. Max is a service dog whose handler Kyle was killed while deployed. Max developed PTSD and has been unable to function and be around people since Kyle was killed. He does seem to have a somewhat responsive attitude when he sees Josh, who was Kyle’s brother. Rather than have Max be put down, Josh’s father, also a war vet, decides that they will take Max in and that Josh will have the responsibility of caring for him.
Max and Josh don’t seem to want much to do with the other at first. Over time, both grow closer and a bond of friendship is formed and strengthened. Josh learns what it is like to be responsible for another life and believe in others, as well as to be able to look inside himself and decide what things are right and wrong. Max learns to trust, and protect, once again. The reason for some of Max’s behavior since the war becomes clear as Josh finds himself, along with his father, in danger. All three – man, boy, and dog, will find themselves in a very bad situation that requires they work together to help save each other.
I enjoyed the movie quite a lot.While it certainly does have it’s sad moments (yes, you will need tissues), the positive story does shine.
Here’s the trailer.

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