Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 20, 1993 TAG: 9311240036
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
All in all, it's about what you'd expect from the makers of the "Child's Play" series about a murderous doll. This time out, the maniacal monster is a pooch.
Lori Tanner (Ally Sheedy) is a TV news reporter who's long on ambition, short on brains. One night, she breaks into Dr. Jarret's (Lance Henriksen) lab to expose the horrible vivisectionist experiments he's conducting there. In the process, she releases and befriends a big lovable old dog named Max.
The audience already knows that Max is a killer. Eventually we learn that the bad doctor has been splicing genes to give Max all sorts of enhanced physical powers, including the ability to disguise himself as a box of old clothes. That is not a joke, and it's not the silliest thing about the movie, either.
But writer/director John Lafia isn't interested in realism or cruelty to animals or genetic research. He has taken a bunch of dog cliches - involving fire hydrants, junkyards, cats, mailmen and dog catchers - and punched them up with bloody special effects.
Beyond the immediate shock value of a few scenes, there is nothing to this formulaic flick. It's a waste of time and effort and "Man's Best Friend 2: Max Is Back" is probably already in the works.
\ Man's Best Friend: *
A New Line release playing at the Valley View Mall 6, Salem Valley 8. 86 min. Rated R for graphic violence, strong language, sexual humor.
by CNB