Max a Modern Boy and his Dog Family Classic

Kyle Wincott (THE FLASH's Robbie Amell) is a U.S. Marine. He serves with another U.S. Marine, Max -- who just happens to be a very highly trained dog.

When Kyle is killed in an attack trying to save Max, the PTSD-stricken dog is taken out of service, and will be put down unless Max's family takes him. The Wincott family -- hard-as-nails former Marine and father Ray (Thomas Haden Church, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL), mother Pamela (Lauren Graham, GILMORE GIRLS), and cynical teenage Justin (Josh Wiggins, HELLION) -- are willing to take Max in because they see him as a family member.

But Max has a secret. One of Kyle's hometown buddies and fellow Marine was running guns, and is to blame for the attack that got Kyle killed. When he comes home to work his deals stateside, he blames Max for Kyle's death, putting the dog in a whole new light to the family, particularly to Ray.

Throughout the film, Max and Justin develop a bond, aided by Justin's friends Chuy (Dejon LaQuake, CSI: CYBER) and Chuy's cousin Carmen (Mia Xitlali) who knows more than a little about handling dogs. Together, these teens and their canine companion find themselves in a pulse-pounding adventure where their lives and the lives of their family are at stake.

Directed by Boaz Yakin and written by Yakin and Lettich, MAX is the classic family adventure movie featuring kids on bikes and a well-trained dog. This is the kind of movie I grew up on, and the formula still works. The film is rated PG for action violence, peril, brief language and thematic elements. I was struck by the fact that I could not recall any hard language in the film at all, and aside from a few "war movie" explosions and the visual of guns being sold, there was nothing here that would keep me from recommending this film to families everywhere. We haven't had a solid, relatable film like MAX in too long.

For more information, visit the official website for MAX, or visit Max on Facebook. (While you're at it, give us a little like on Facebook too!)