Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

MusicChat It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

ccman2 This movie is just simply awesome. Whether you're a kid or an adult, this movie is fantastic. It's not the typical sunshine and rainbows kids' movie you typically see. The film actually portrays some of the struggles we can face early on in life and how that some problems that may seem impossible can become very real. This movie is about a dog but it's also about a teenager who's finding the courage to face the problems he has and to move out of his comfort zone with the help of a dog named Max who is simply a hero to his family and his friends. If you ever dealt with very real issues at a young age or you love a plot you don't typically see, you're going to love this one. This is not a cheesy movie. It's very legit and original. Don't let Metascore or whatever stupid company sway your opinion.

krocheav Always being curious (and wary) of movies with Dogs as prominent 'stars' - took a chance on "Max" and was well pleased. Directed with flare by Boaz Yakin ('Remember the Titans') and sporting a smart screenplay by Sheldon Lettich along with some input from the director. Max moves at a good pace and manages to engage all age groups - although some moments may seem to stretch its PG rating to the limits - with some scenes involving grim heavies dealing in illegal weapons - who will stop at nothing to ply their nasty trade (including possibly killing kids and dogs) this could at times seem a little out of place.What keeps it all on track are the values involving families and friends working together in the most meaningful possible ways. Max, a Belgian Malinois Shepherd begins his working career serving as a combat dog in the mid-east war zone. Situations take a dramatic turn sparking events that will alter the lives of the Wincott family forever. Justin Wiggins does very well in the role of the Wincott's rebellious younger son - with Thomas Heden Church as his battle hardened father - Lauren Graham as mom, attempts to offset their differences with her positive nature.German born Cinematographer Stefan Czapsky (Edward Scissorhands) delivers many striking scenes and ex 'Yes' Band member turned prolific movie composer Trevor Rabin, wraps it up within an imaginative, lush score. Action scenes are often exceptionally well staged - with one exiting scene set on an old railway bridge. For some, it might at times seem a bit over intense for its genre but this won't be noticed by many of today's users of mindless computer games and over-the-top blockbuster movies. This one though, could prove to be more thoughtful and equally as interesting as any on offer. Might even find it's well worth taking this remarkable dog for a stroll...

Roland E. Zwick Fans of Lassie and Rin Tin Tin will undoubtedly find much to celebrate in "Max," an old-fashioned a-boy-and-his-dog story updated to reflect our post-9/11 age.The boy in this instance is Justin (Josh Wiggins), a disgruntled teen whose older brother, Kyle (Robbie Amell), a Marine who trains dogs to sniff out weapon caches on the field of battle, is killed in Afghanistan. After Kyle's dog, Max, develops a sort of canine version of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the dead man's family dutifully rescues him, assigning Justin the unenviable task of rehabilitating him back to the point where he can interact with humans again without instinctively wanting to rip their throats out. This Justin does with the help of his new friend, Carmen (the charming Mia Xitlali), who knows a thing or two about training challenging dogs.In addition to his canine-raising duties, Justin has to contend with his tough-as-nails military dad (Thomas Haden Church) and his own innate laziness and cynicism. But with the help of Max, a devoted and kindly mother (Lauren Graham), and the love of a new girlfriend, Justin eventually grows into his manhood, demonstrating that rehabilitation is often a two-way street.There are any number of touching moments in the screenplay by Sheldon Lettich and co-writer/director Boaz Yakin, which, happily, manages to keep the unavoidable suds down to a minimum. However, even the fine performances (especially by Wiggins) can't overcome an utterly preposterous subplot involving Justin's entanglement with a local gun-running cartel, a storyline that not only comes to dominate the second half of the movie but may make the movie itself somewhat less than appropriate for the youngest members of its intended audience.Ah well, at least the canine stunt work - kudos to both Max and his trainer on that score - is super impressive throughout.

TxMike Set in Texas but filmed in North Carolina, we viewed it on DVD from the public library.The theme revolves around dogs that have been trained and used in war over the decades. This story centers on MAX, a loyal and expert bomb and weapons sniffing dog that loses his owner and seems to be having his own bout with PTSD.Back home in Texas (really NC) MAX seems way out of sorts and the handlers think the best remedy is to put him down. But when the brother of the Marine that had handled MAX during war shows up MAX seems to recognize that he is part of the family, and the boy takes him home.The father of the family is also an ex-Marine, Thomas Haden Church as Ray Wincott, who had been injured in the 1991 brief Gulf War. His son, brother of the deceased Marine, is young Josh Wiggins as Justin Wincott. His mother is played by one of my very favorites, Lauren Graham as Pamela Wincott.So, in this fictional story that is dedicated to war-trained dogs, some criminal activity is injected. An old family friend and now former Marine who had been with the deceased brother, has smuggled some arms into the states and is trying to sell them to Mexicans.So josh and MAX, with the help of some friends, end up hunting down the crooks and helping to prevent the illegal gun sales.I must admit some of the story was a bit cheesy but we enjoyed it anyway.I was also impressed with young Mia Xitlali as Carmen, who helps chase the crooks and in the process takes a pretty good liking to Josh by the end.