Product Details

• Actors: Ally Sheedy, Lance Henriksen, Robert Costanzo, Fredric Lehne, John Cassini
• Directors: John Lafia
• Writers: John Lafia
• Producers: Daniel Grodnik, Kelley Smith-Wait, Robert Engelman, Robert Kosberg
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: New Line Home Video
• VHS Release Date: May 20, 1997
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304053517
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,635 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

This story centers around a high-tech biotechnology lab. From its confines comes "Max," a genetically engineered killing machine in the guise of a household pet dog.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Guilty Pleasure on a Rainy Saturday, May 22, 2008

By 

Ravenskya "Princess of Horror" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Man's Best Friend (DVD)

This movie has long been one of my guilty pleasures, a true B-Movie where the Frankenstein creation of a genetically mutated dog is adorable, pitiful, and horrifying.

Quick Summary: A news reporter (Ally Sheedy) breaks into a lab to do a story on how the company is experimenting on animals. While she is there she kidnaps "MAX" a Tibetan Mastiff who is apparently the culmination of the scientist's work (Scientist played by Lance Hendrickson). MAX instantly worms his way into her heart with his human intelligence and precious furry face. Unfortunately MAX is also very possessive, and overly protective of his new human love interest, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend.

Honestly this movie is not good, it's straight B-Movie fair, but man is it fun on a rainy Saturday afternoon. The things this dog can do are so way over the top you would think the movie was written by a 12 year old. But, the humor in the way they are executed will amuse most B-Movie fans. The cat and mailman scenes are hysterical to me. And you couldn't have picked a cuter more lovable dog (who is by the way, the best actor in the film). If you are looking for art, look elsewhere. If you are looking for substance, look elsewhere. If you are looking to add to you B-Movie collection then add this to your cart and have a fun time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Man's Best Friend, March 26, 2011

By 

A. Pierre (Somewheres) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Man's Best Friend (DVD)

A reporter is trying to get a hot scoop at an animal research facility called E-Max. The one who was going let her in is called by a highly intelligent named Max but he is shot with a tranquilizer and subdued. The reporter breaks into the place and releases the million dollar dog. She is mugged and the dog kills the mugger. I thought he was subdued? Anyways, if your a pet lover then this movie is not for you. The only real graphic scene involved the dog swallowing a cat whole and it implies he rapes the dog next door. The dog's face is even burned towards the end. The movie looks like a typical 90's horror movie with bad acting and not alot of gore. The story makes little sense including the fact the the dog was shot with a tranquilizer and he will turn into a killing machine when it wears off even though he's killed 3 people already. Anyways, some might enjoy it but i'd skip on this bad dog.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Star Epic Movie!!! Dont listen to the negative reviews!!, January 7, 2009

By 

J. Crenshaw "ravenrage07" (Hell, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Man's Best Friend (DVD)

Man's best friend was about a dog named Max who was genetically crossed in a experimental lab with chameleons, jaguars, and other things. The scientist basically took a dog, mapped out his flaws, and then got rid of them by putting genes of other animals in there. He was trying to make a super watchdog but this dog was also a little too powerful for his own good.

The movie opened up with a scene with a scientist getting killed as soon as it started which is always a good thing getting right into it. The story was good, the scientist who made him chases Max down while the police chase him down a few times. Max is loose and finds refuge with a reporter named Lori who was trying to blow the lab right open and shut it down. She gets his seemingly harmless dog and takes him with her. The dog has a surprise in store for them though. He's super powerful, can turn invisible, climb up walls and trees, run extremely fast, and withstand alot of punishment.

The kills in the movie are justified as its mainly people trying to kill him, so it isnt just some psycho dog that needs to be shot to death because he kills random people. Its just like any other big dog, if you try to attack them or kill them they'll kill you. So its justified to me.

The acting is not bad at all, it has a few lil dead points I guess but I cant name any out of the top of my head. It blends the idea of a normal housedog but with killer tendencies. There are alot of scenes worth noting like the cat, the "Puppy Love" scene, and way too many to name.

The ending is absolutely epic, you will be in such suspense that it can rank up with any other horror film probably more. Most horror movies i've seen (and i've seen all the jason, michael, freddy, and ripoffs along with every other film under the sun) you always just sit there and are like how are they going to kill him? Not really epic or suspensful you just want to know how he is going to die. Not with this movie.

The dog has duality also which is a definite plus. He has his sweet loving side if you treat him good and dont provoke him. And he has his killer side if you attack or try to hurt him. It isnt like most movies where you just see a hack and slash (even though that is good).

The dog is a genius he is smart as a human so dont think "oh god a dog killer movie thats so stupid... Who would watch that?" NO! This dog is smarter then any human you will ever see. He is a hunter, tracks you down, opens doors, cuts on and off lights, flushs toilets, and can analyze things. He knows over 350 spoken commands in English and Spanish according to the scientist.

I wont give away the ending. I'll just say its extremely sad and even a tough guy would cry if he loves dogs. It has a cliffhanger though, so that definitely gives you a sense of wanting to see a second movie of this.

Overall, its a great movie. Its full of action, some comedy, suspense, and is both funny, scary, and charming. This movie is one of the best i've seen in a long time. I am not a kid, i'm 20 years old and have seen this movie many times. I can watch this movie over and over and never get bored. Unless I watch it around 100 times but still. It's an amazing movie. Buy it now!!