There's a time and a place for film's such as Megan Leavey and while this often sappy and Lifestyle like film never reaches great heights or surprises, there's joys to be found in this true life tale that will make you walk away from it with a smile on your face.
Released direct to home video here in Australia after a low-key but well received release in the USA in the middle of 2017, Megan Leavey examines the life and times of its title character, who in the midst of a young-life crisis enlisted into the American Marines and found herself a calling as a combat dog/front line operator who struck up a deep bond and friendship with her German Shepard companion Rex.
It's the type of tale that is perfect for the US market, showcasing the best of what the marines can do for those that apply themselves and work hard at achieving the best they can do for their country and for dog lovers, Megan Leavey is the type of experience that will have them giving their doggo some extra treats and pats in the aftermath of this human interest tale.
Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite handles things well and while a clear victim of a lower budget than is to be expected from usual fare such as this, Megan Leavey brings us into the action as Megan and Rex make a step from training to the front line and enter into the ground war that would make them both famous faces of the war in Iraq.
Key also to Megan Leavey's ability to be constantly engaging without blowing minds is the commitment of lead actress Kate Mara who is as good as she's ever been as Leavey and her comradery with her four-legged on-screen companion will pull at the heart-strings and give you those always sought after warm and fuzzies. From their initial frosty relationship to fully fledged friendship between human and animal, Megan Leavey captures the special bond between the two American combatants that captured the hearts of a nation.
Final Say -
Megan Leavey pulls no surprise punches and plays out to the well-worn playbook of similar film's but that doesn't stop it from becoming and always watchable and proficiently made feel good tale that reminds us all that in the midst of war, special friendship and incredible tales of bravery are the tales that will live on.
3 cans on a leash out of 5
Released direct to home video here in Australia after a low-key but well received release in the USA in the middle of 2017, Megan Leavey examines the life and times of its title character, who in the midst of a young-life crisis enlisted into the American Marines and found herself a calling as a combat dog/front line operator who struck up a deep bond and friendship with her German Shepard companion Rex.
It's the type of tale that is perfect for the US market, showcasing the best of what the marines can do for those that apply themselves and work hard at achieving the best they can do for their country and for dog lovers, Megan Leavey is the type of experience that will have them giving their doggo some extra treats and pats in the aftermath of this human interest tale.
Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite handles things well and while a clear victim of a lower budget than is to be expected from usual fare such as this, Megan Leavey brings us into the action as Megan and Rex make a step from training to the front line and enter into the ground war that would make them both famous faces of the war in Iraq.
Key also to Megan Leavey's ability to be constantly engaging without blowing minds is the commitment of lead actress Kate Mara who is as good as she's ever been as Leavey and her comradery with her four-legged on-screen companion will pull at the heart-strings and give you those always sought after warm and fuzzies. From their initial frosty relationship to fully fledged friendship between human and animal, Megan Leavey captures the special bond between the two American combatants that captured the hearts of a nation.
Final Say -
Megan Leavey pulls no surprise punches and plays out to the well-worn playbook of similar film's but that doesn't stop it from becoming and always watchable and proficiently made feel good tale that reminds us all that in the midst of war, special friendship and incredible tales of bravery are the tales that will live on.
3 cans on a leash out of 5