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Created Oct 30, 2015 06:43PM PST • Edited Sep 24, 2017 03:46PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Max’s trailer promised more than the movie delivers. The story of a military dog who aides a teen’s coming-of-age, it pulls heartstrings and warms the heart in equal measure, especially for those of us with a soft-spot for the US military and dogs alike. That’s me, which is why I fell hard for the trailer this year.

   However, the movie itself is a bit too contrived and almost Disney-esque. I ended up watching it on a 757 somewhere over the Atlantic, which was just fine. At 40,000 feet, Max is a trusty companion.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Josh Wiggins makes an impressive debut as a slightly rebellious teen who comes-of-age when his older brother dies in war and a noble dog comes into his life. Wiggins is one to keep an eye on.

   Thomas Haden Church and Lauren Graham plays his parents in little more than Movie-of-the-Week style. Robbie Amell is fine as his noble brother.

   Luke Kleintank is insufficiently devious as a bad seed Marine.

   Mia Citlali jumps off screen as a smart & sexy teen, while Dejon LaQuake is funny as her acerbic cousin.

   Max? Good boy, but not my kind of dog.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

10. Film

    OK 2.5

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play Barely OK 2.0

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.5

17. Sex Innocent 1.3

18. Violence Fierce 1.7

19. Rudeness Salty 1.6

21. Reality

    Glib 1.5

22. Circumstantial Glib 2.0

23. Biological Glib 1.6

24. Physical Natural 1.0