Too Much Bark, Not Enough Bite in “Max”

Boaz Yakin’s Max makes no bones about its intent — it’s an enthusiastic flag-waver from the very first frame, a shameless tribute to our boys serving on foreign soil and the faithful dogs who help them root out insurgents and their weapons. While I have no problem with sincere praise being delivered to those who serve, what I can’t abide is when a sloppily written, lazy exercise in family bonding is attached to it. Such is the case with Max, a film I fear will find great success at the box office because of its intent rather than its content.

While Yakin’s intent with Max is honorable, the story that serves as its foundation is not simply flawed but ridiculous. In the end, he takes the viewer’s goodwill and intelligence for granted, leaving us feeling manipulated rather than moved.

Needless to say, service dogs like Max and their handlers deserve much better.

For a full review, go to:http://www.news-gazette.com/arts-entertainment/local/2015-06-25/chuck-koplinski-too-much-bark-not-enough-bite-max.html