Do not believe the negative reviews. One which I read is reviewing the Iraq War, not the movie. The movie is apolitical and presents a real Do not believe the negative reviews. One which I read is reviewing the Iraq War, not the movie. The movie is apolitical and presents a real world, real woman in a realistically heroic role. I would rather take my daughter to Megan Leavey than Wonder Woman. … Expand

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I liked this movie! Kate Mara was solid in main role about someone who is troubled and has difficulty in connecting with people. She finds her way back to people through the relationship with her dog. A very uplifting story! The director does a great job with the animal stars too. some great reactions for the camera. I don't think you have to be a super animal lover to enjoy this story. As long as you're not a dog hater (who is?), you will probably enjoy this story of one woman's redemption through the close bond with her dog. … Expand

Kate Mara plays the titular Marine who's adrift in life until she finds Rex, a bomb-sniffing dog. As they save lives in Afghanistan, their Kate Mara plays the titular Marine who's adrift in life until she finds Rex, a bomb-sniffing dog. As they save lives in Afghanistan, their bond grows. After they suffer separation, she mounts a campaign to adopt him. This film basically runs in those 3 parts: before Rex (which sets up her unhappiness), in country (which features some mildly suspenseful action) and back home (where she fights PTSD and to be reunited). Mara manages to capture the conflicting parts of her character with a combo of steely determination and weepy eyes. Despite the opportunities for crying and suffering, the emotions are usually subdued, which means there's no big tearful payoff. This truth-based story reveals an interesting aspect of modern warfare, while telling a spunky, yet appealing story. … Expand

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It bothers me that a dog can get more compassion than some of the other human beings in this piece of crap movie. Ramon Rodriguez is hot. Edie Falco's scenes were the most entertaining and I thought hers was by far the most reasonable character in the movie. Yeah, get a new dog! You wear make up in the desert at war, you must like make up enough to deserve getting that as a present. Stupid movie. Yeah, get a cute little puppy that "wasn't just blown up" as Megan so glibly put it. Lots of times I laughed cause of how glibly stuff was talked about. Oh, you have physical therapy from the explosion? You don't look like you're in pain at all! Like, she jumps onto the guy, not a care in the world, one second, and the next she's in horrible pain. Is she supposed to be brave because she can handle so much pain and look like she's not in any pain whatsoever? And I didn't like the way the Iraqi people were treated and what it might mean that a movie like this would portray soldiers as being that aggressive, like them acting that way would be a good thing. I spent a lot of the movie thinking about how annoying it is that the military presence in another person's backyard might be some woman's coming of age story. And her stupid dog. It's a dog! A war hero? It's a dog. They have the dogs do that because they're dogs. Right? … Expand