Sometimes the idea behind a movie is better than the resulting movie.  Probably often, I would think.  The idea behind Max is to salute the working dogs of the U.S. military (and their human handlers) with the honor of a feature film.  This is an admirable ambition, yet one that leads to an all too obvious story.

When a soldier is killed in Afghanistan, the dog he was handling is sent home.  Max, like many other dogs, cannot easily adjust to civilian life without the person who had spent so much time training him and caring for him.  The soldier’s younger brother, Justin (Josh Wiggins) is charged with caring for Max, and gradually the two forge a friendship.  But Max’s reputation is not a good one, and he is on a short leash, so to speak.  Things come to a head when Justin learns secrets about another returning soldier, one who worked with his brother, and when Max alerts Justin to trouble.

Boaz Yakin’s film is essentially a teen melodrama with a dog as its emotional center. Justin is well into a rebellious phase and losing his older brother only deepens the alienation he feels.  He initially wants nothing to do with the dog.  But a sense of obligation begins his transformation and Max’s unconditional love (as well as the appeal of a new girl he meets) do the rest in making Justin realize what is really important.  Yes, it’s that obvious.  But, to be fair, it works pretty well.

A teen audience is the target, particularly during the bicycle racing and chasing scenes that permeate the narrative.  The kids are in peril much of the second half, and the rocky relationship that Justin has with his parents (Thomas Haden Church, Lauren Graham) indicates more trouble than contentment.  Thankfully for all, Max is on hand to change all that and bring this broken family back together again.  His task might have been easier in Afghanistan.  ☆ ☆ 1/2.  15 July 2015.