MAX

US, 2015, 111 minutes, Colour.
Josh Wiggins, Thomas Hayden Church, Lauren Graham, Luke Kleintank, Robbie Amell, Mia Xitali, Dejon La Quake, Jay Hernandez.
Directed by Boaz Yakin.

Max is a dog story with quite some differences.

At the opening of the film, there is information given about the dogs who were trained to serve in middle eastern wars, including Afghanistan, a considerable number, some of whom, along with their trainers, were killed in action.

The film opens with sequences in Afghanistan, Max in action with his trainer, Kyle, a strong bond between the two – but, in an ambush, in order to save Max, Kyle is killed in action.

Meanwhile, back home, Kyle’s father is a strict disciplinarian, a war hero from the Gulf War, who clashes with his teenage son, Justin, who also misses his brother away in action. His loving mother has to keep the peace between father and son.

Josh Wiggins is effective as Justin, Thomas Haden Church and Lauren Ambrose as his parents.

Grief at Kyle’s death give some pause to the animosity between father and son, especially at the funeral when a dog-training Sgt brings Max in who then races up to the coffin. He is taken to a compound but the family come and Justin is entrusted with care for Max, something he is reluctant to do but he begins to bond with the dog and, meeting with his bike riding friends, he encounters Carmen, who knows more than a thing about how to train dogs and she helps take Max in hand just as she takes Justin in hand.

So, the making of an engaging dog story. But, there is more.

Kyle’s best friend was involved in some shady deals in Afghanistan, especially a procurement of arms and illegal sales, something he wants to continue when he has been dismissed from the Marines and pretends that he has been wounded in battle. Kyle’s father believes him and offers him storage space in the huts which his company owns.

There are shady deals with local criminals, plans to transport the arms into Mexico – but, Justin overhears, he and Max are chased and eventually threatened by the criminals.

Well, Max and the kids to the rescue, especially when the criminals find the father looking into the storage rooms.

No surprises in what happens – it is just the interest in seeing how it all happens. And a satisfactory happy ending to quite an entertaining film.

1. A popular film about a dog? Military service background? American family background? The touch of the thriller?

2. The tribute to the number of dogs trained for military activity, in Afghanistan?

3. The Afghan sequences, the troops, in the villages, in action? Attacks and deaths? A sense of reality about American troops abroad? Honourable troops? The wheelers and dealers, especially in arms sales?

4. In America, southern states of America, homes, the woods, rivers? Action sequences?

5. The introduction to Max, working with Kyle, the bond between man and dog, the later video about training, bonding? Max in action with Kyle in Afghanistan, the house, the denials about arms, the dog finding the hidden cache under the floor? The ambush, Kyle’s reaction, Tyler’s reaction, Kyle saving Max, being killed? And Tyler’s false version on return?

6. The family, Ray and his experiences in the Gulf War, injuries – seen as a hero, marching on 4 July? Tough, hard on his sons? His later confession about his being wounded and shipped out, not being a hero, not being able to tell the truth to his son? Pamela, devoted mother, keeping the peace between father and son?

7. Justin, his age, surly, the clashes with his father? Holding up Kyle as a model? His friends, downloading computer games? In his room, playing the games? With his father, the news of Kyle’s death?

8. The funeral, the hymns, the congregation? Sgt Reyes coming with Max, the disturbance in the church, Max immediately going to the coffin? The aftermath? Max being taken away? The family coming to the dog centre, the decision to take Max? Justin and his reaching out, Max’s reaction?

9. Max, at home, aggressive? In the backyard? Ray buying the cage and Max in the cage? Justin and his working with the dog, his father’s expectations? The night, the barking, lying on the ground?

10. Justin and his friends, the meeting with Carmen, a strong approach, his friendship with Chuy, the other boys, riding the bikes, the dangers – and his riding the bike over the ravine?

11. Carmen, her knowledge of dogs, the attraction between the two, going home, helping Justin, the talk about discipline, rewards, Max and his being agreeable?

12. Tyler, the return, his speech to Ray, his injuries, lies? Ray and his storage rooms, Tyler using them for the arms?

13. Justin, the discovery of the truth, Emilio and his connections, the arms deals, and the corrupt police officer? The chase, setting the dogs on Justin, Max and his aggression, their having to put one of the dogs down? The later threats, the Justin could not reveal anything? His father questioning him, no answers?

14. The visit to Sgt Reyes, his sympathy, lending the video about Kyle and Max, searching for information about Tyler and telling Justin?

15. Ray, suspicions, going to the store rooms, discovering Tyler and the truth, their taking him away?

16. Justin, Carmen and Chuy, the bikes, finding Ray, Carmen going to get help, the kiss, Justin and Max’s leading the criminals on the chase? Ray getting free, shooting the engine and tyres, yet the criminals driving, pursuing Justin? Max and his heroics?

17. The resolution of the difficulties? Ray giving away the cage? Talking frankly with Justin? Justin and his sadness about his brother’s death and not growing older with him? Reconciliation with his father?

18. And a happy future to Max?