This is a silly and nonsensical monster movie which mixes sci-fi elements in with plenty of tired and predictable clichés, rounded off by an unbelievable plot which bears little resemblance to real life. The intriguing possibilities of a killer dog movie are quickly dissipated when you realise that this is a family-orientated movie, complete with lame jokes and so much sweet talk and sentimentality that it'll make you physically sick (it certainly made ME sick). After the initial set-up, the film is merely content to go through the paces, introducing one-dimensional characters who are set up just to be killed off.

The many death scenes in this film are generally off screen and not very gory, although some of them will make you jump. Sadly they're shot in such a slick way that any suspense or terror emanating from them is destroyed, as they just look too unrealistic. There are so many plot discrepancies that it's impossible to list all of them, plot twists are based on contrivances and you begin to wonder if the story was written by a child.

The acting - well, if you can call it acting - from Ally Sheedy as the film's lead is terrible, her character a simpering idiot who fails to see what's going on right in front of her eyes. Incredibly, Sheedy continues to love the killer dog despite the fact that its eaten a cat whole, mutilated her boyfriend (via acid urine, go figure) and devoured half of the minor cast. The ever-reliable Lance Henriksen is on hand as a cruel scientist, and incredibly he's vilified as the film's chief villain - even though his only sin is to try and get his own property back! This is definitely a movie that makes no secret of its distaste for animal experimentation, as you get the morals shoved down your throat at every opportunity, the intelligent character Henriksen plays a mean-spirited and bad, bad person - despite the fact that he himself mentions that his research is being carried out for the good of mankind!

Elsewhere, familiar faces like that of Robert Costanzo pop up but fail to make much of an impact, although I did like William Sanderson's bastard scrapyard owner whose first action upon receiving the dog is to club it with a spade! Whilst the first half of this film is schmaltzy, feel good stuff - you could be forgiven for thinking that you're watching BEETHOVEN, actually - packed with silly humour and obnoxious characters, the second half - a violent string of brutal murders - sits oddly with the beginning. Indeed some of this film's scenes border on the deeply unpleasant, like one character burning the dog's face with a blow torch as he is attacked! It's not really necessary, just a reason to give the dog an ugly look to make it more frightening. It's not. Kevin Yagher's usually reliable special effects work are also below par, the animatronics instantly recognisable from the real dog(s) used.

The final insult comes at the end of this movie. What an infantile, stupid, moronic way to end the film. Aside from the incidental pleasure of watching a dog rip a postman to shreds, MAN'S BEST FRIEND is an appalling and ugly film to watch, one that offended me deeply.

A dog turns from man's best friend into man's worst nightmare as he attacks everything that moves.

John Lafia co-wrote the screenplay for "Child's Play" (1988). He went on to direct "Child's Play 2" (1990). These two hits under his belt, he was given directing duties on "Man's Best Friend". Unfortunately, third time was not the charm, because this amounts to a rather forgettable "killer dog" movie that cannot hold a candle to "Cujo".

Lance Henriksen is a great genre icon, and Ally Sheedy is one of the most under-appreciated actresses of the last thirty years. Unfortunately, they are both wasted because this film is just stupid. We might expect that from Henriksen, who has such a long list of credits you have to expect a few duds. But Sheedy has just had bad luck. This should have been better, just as "Only the Lonely" should have been better.

TV news reporter Lori Tanner (Ally Sheedy) liberates a dog from a top-secret laboratory, unaware that the hound is extremely dangerous thanks to its modified DNA that gives it improved strength, speed, and sight and the ability to blend into its surroundings.

Geneticist Dr. Jarret to the police: 'What about my dog? Got any leads?".

This snippet of dialogue, delivered in deadpan fashion by Lance Henriksen, confirmed my belief that I was watching a dark comedy intended to be seen with tongue firmly in cheek. When viewed as such, it's a total hoot. Those expecting a serious film about a genetically enhanced guard dog with the ability to camouflage itself and pee acid should perhaps give up watching films and find a hobby that's a little less taxing on the brain. Like basket-weaving.

Wonderfully silly moments include Max, the massive Tibetan Mastiff in question, attacking a careless paperboy, climbing up a tree to wolf down a neighbour's cat in one gulp, getting jiggy with the sexy collie down the street, relieving himself on a man's face, biting a shovel-happy junkyard owner in the crotch, and burying a postman under a house. It's daft, but that's the point.