You can see the value of dogs in war, yes? No, they can’t fire rifles or blow up things by themselves. They can, however, do everything else, do it well, and never question orders. Think of how valuable that is – “hey, Max, go into hostile territory by yourself, find the hidden mines, the cache of weapons, the snipers and report back … if you’re good, I’ll give you a treat.” Of course, now I’m thinking about giving Forrest Gump and doggie snack for rescuing four platoon members under heavy fire.
Max is G.I. German Shepherd. And Max the movie has a great deal of respect for the literal dogs of war. Soldier Kyle (Robbie Amell) is so All American, he farts flags. As the keeper of Max, these two lead missions in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan. That is, until Kyle dies in a firefight. The same battle that claims Kyle also claims Max’s war skills. Who knew dogs could get post-traumatic stress disorder? Lacking options, the dog is sent to live with Kyle’s family, specifically under the care of Kyle’s surly teen brother Justin (Josh Wiggins).
This is, basically, the picture – making a dog whisperer out of Justin, the little jerk. We see where this is going from the outset when Justin chooses to play video games instead of attending the family skype with Kyle. Max makes no bones about presenting Justin as an ungrateful prick – not only failing the skype but mocking the Corps in the process. Ex-marine dad (Thomas Haden Church) doesn’t hide his antipathy towards Justin’s attitude, either. When Justin fails to report for summer job duty at dad’s rent-a-center, dad is only too happy to bestow traumatized-dog watching responsibility on his troubled teen.
This is one of those films that wants it both ways – it openly questions U.S. foreign policy, but presents free-minded souls as opportunists as villains. (Seriously, film, I’m not saying it can’t be done, but how exactly does one smuggle a carload of weapons from Afghanistan to the United States? Isn’t this exactly what Homeland Security is supposed to be looking for?) Is the solution 
that we should all be simpler, more dog-like, unquestioning and obedient? What if the reasons for war are bad, like you’ve pointed out? Don’t we need some non-followers among the soldiers? Honestly, without them I think we’d never leave the Middle East. I’m sure that suits some of you just fine.
I’m impressed with what a well-trained dog can do. “Sniff this money, boy. Good, now find the drug dealer!” I’m unimpressed with what this film about a well-trained dog did. The script was simple, and then delved in crime-solving when it realized simple wasn’t enough. It needed sharper animal wrangling, sharper resolution, sharper intrigue, sharper action, sharper character development, shaper love story or just plain sharper writing. It got none of the above, but you parents who want your kids to be soldiers might just enjoy it as a training video.
Never questioning “what is it for?”
In battle, our canines do all and more
At post, always stayed
Egregiously underpaid
Let’s tip the dogs of war
Rated PG, 111 Minutes
D: Boaz Yakin
W: Boaz Yakin, Sheldon Lettich
Genre: Who doesn’t love a dog?
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Toe-the-liners
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: Cat people
