MAX 2 WHITE HOUSE HERO

US, 2016, 85 minutes, Colour.
Zane Austin, Francesca Capaldi, Lochlyn Munro, Andrew Kavadas.
Directed by Brian Levant.

Max was an entertaining film about a dog who had served in Vietnam, was injured and recuperated back to the United States. This brief sequel capitalises on his popularity. As with the title, the focus is on the White House, especially TJ, the young son of the president. TJ is lonely, not popular at school, security guards following him everywhere.

He encounters Max and his father gives him permission to have Max as his companion. Then the Russian President andhis daughter arrive, Max and the daughter making friends and their skipping out of the White House but almost abducted until Max saves them. They go to Camp David and TJ is suspicious of Russian spies, including the daughter. As it turns out, it is a woman in the Russian team and the presidential cook with whom TJ was friends and had lots of conversations.

Abductions, Max always to the rescue. This is an entertainment for children, rather slight.

1. The original film, the introduction to Max, Afghan hero, returning to the United States, place in a family, solving crime? The popularity of this sequel?

2. Washington DC, the White House, the interiors, Camp David, the woods, the huts in the woods and the underground communication centre? The musical score?

3. A film for young audiences? For adults?

4. Max, returning to the US, testing him out, his detail in the White House, the officer in charge? Audience interest in Max, his appearance, vitality?

5. TJ, his parents in the White House, the role of the president, his mother and her music? His feeling lonely? The security guard with him everywhere? His complaints? Going to school? The guard, the test, the indication it was wrong and the other guard disapproving? Lonely, no friends? The encounter with Max in the corridor, playing with him, the official, taking him away? With Max again, his father, petting him? Giving the official order? Max going to school, making friends, with the dog?

6. The visit of the Russian president? The background of American- Russian relationships? Discussions? Meetings? TJ forced to be present? Meeting the president, his daughter?

7. Alex and TJ, initial interactions, friendship, discussions? Slipping out? The kitchen, the meal? The attempted abduction? Max saving them? The confrontation with their parents? TJ and his suspicions about Alex, espionage?

8. The friendly cook, making the meals, the conversations? Contrast with the Russian cook, thinking him a spy? Tracking him down – and his wanting to make a secret bread?

9. TJ, fixated on spies, his father’s reaction? The suspicion of the lady in the entourage? The meals and her watching? Her going to the headquarters, communications? Caught and her being upset?

10. The holiday camp David, TJ suspicions of Alex? Her reactions?

11. The irony of the cook being the spy? Capturing the children, taking them? Max to the rescue?

12. The arrest, apologies all round, TJ and Alex, friendship? Max the hero?