IMDb RATING
5.2/10
5.1K
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A genetically engineered dog escapes from the science facility where it was created. A family takes it in unaware of its deadly instincts which soon emerge. The scientist who created the dog... Read allA genetically engineered dog escapes from the science facility where it was created. A family takes it in unaware of its deadly instincts which soon emerge. The scientist who created the dog tries to find it before its too late.A genetically engineered dog escapes from the science facility where it was created. A family takes it in unaware of its deadly instincts which soon emerge. The scientist who created the dog tries to find it before its too late.
- Awards
- 1 win & 4 nominations total
Robert Shaye
- Mobile Mechanic
- (as L.E. Moko)
- Director
- Writer
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Featured reviews
Man's Best Friend (1999) is a childhood classic that I recently rewatched on Tubi. The storyline follows a genetically engineered dog who escapes from his laboratory and is adopted by an oblivious family. He becomes over protective of the child in the family and begins a killing spree. The creator of the dog will try to help law enforcement track down the dog and stop the killing spree.
This movie is written and directed by John Lafia (Child's Play 2) and stars Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Ally Sheedy (The Breakfast Club), Fredric Lehne (Men in Black), Robert Costanzo (Die Hard 2) and John Cassini (Se7en).
This is definitely one of those movies that's more fun than good. Lance Henriksen is awesome in this and always easy to root for, whether he's a good or bad guy. There's a bunch of light hearted scenes in this that make you smile - the opening post man sequence, the female dog back and forth and the cat scene are all worthwhile. However, the kill scenes always disappoint me and they all could have been better. The storyline is fairly straightforward and the conclusion is predictable.
Overall, this is a fun movie to watch but just an average addition to the horror genre. I would score this a 6/10 and recommend seeing it once.
This movie is written and directed by John Lafia (Child's Play 2) and stars Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Ally Sheedy (The Breakfast Club), Fredric Lehne (Men in Black), Robert Costanzo (Die Hard 2) and John Cassini (Se7en).
This is definitely one of those movies that's more fun than good. Lance Henriksen is awesome in this and always easy to root for, whether he's a good or bad guy. There's a bunch of light hearted scenes in this that make you smile - the opening post man sequence, the female dog back and forth and the cat scene are all worthwhile. However, the kill scenes always disappoint me and they all could have been better. The storyline is fairly straightforward and the conclusion is predictable.
Overall, this is a fun movie to watch but just an average addition to the horror genre. I would score this a 6/10 and recommend seeing it once.
Dog that has had genetic experiments conducted on it is saved by a news reporter investigating a sciene lab. However, the dogs genetics have been mixed with several other animals and it kills anything or anyone that gets in the way of him and his new owner. Fun premise with some creative moments goes down the path you would expect, but still is entertaining anyway. The cast is used to little effect as this is a showcase for the dog.
Rated R; Violence and Profanity.
Rated R; Violence and Profanity.
This mutated dog sci-fi/ horror / black comedy requires complete suspension of disbelief, and if you can live with that premise, you will find "Man's Best Friend" entertaining. Although Lance Henriksen receives second billing, his screen time is somewhat disappointing. The sci-fi element is never explored, giving way to "Cudjo"-like maulings and some moments of "dark comedy". There is a little too much cutesy stuff involving the genetically engineered dog, but overall other than the lack of Henriksen, this is a totally acceptable time waster. The dog is really the star, with the actors assuming a secondary role. - MERK
It's the same old story... Girl rescues dog from test lab, girl wants to keep cute and heroic dog as her pet, dog turns out to be a genetically altered killing machine that wants to destroy girl's fiancée by peeing acid on his face. Hm, on second thought, it's not that common at all! In fact, with its absurdly ingenious plot, tongue-in-cheek humor and excessive gore, "Man's Best Friend" is one of the best horror movies of the overall disappointing 90s decade.
It's been approximately 25 years since I watched "Man's Best Friend" for the first and last time. I loved it instantly, but due to my youthful age at the time, I only had eyes for the virulent dog-attacks and thus never really realized that writer/director John Lafia delivered a pitch-black comedy. Lance Henriksen is exquisite as the mad scientist who turned an ordinary cuddly Tibetan Mastiff into the undefeatable and super-intelligent Max-3000. When TV anchor Ally Sheedy sets him free, she doesn't realize she activated a drooling time bomb.
Name any cliché involving dogs in the movies; - "Man's Best Friend" features it! Max runs after paperboys on bikes, chases kittens up trees, bites sadist dog abusers in the crotch, fools around with dog catchers and fanatically grabs arrogant mailmen by the throat. The difference with Max is that everything is just a tad bit ...bloodier! For the skeptical viewers who then still don't believe "Man's Best Friend" is a parody, just look at the sequence where our furry anti-hero Max spots a cute blond Lassie, and a cover of Paul Anka's "Puppy Love" spontaneously begins to play. Delicious!
It's been approximately 25 years since I watched "Man's Best Friend" for the first and last time. I loved it instantly, but due to my youthful age at the time, I only had eyes for the virulent dog-attacks and thus never really realized that writer/director John Lafia delivered a pitch-black comedy. Lance Henriksen is exquisite as the mad scientist who turned an ordinary cuddly Tibetan Mastiff into the undefeatable and super-intelligent Max-3000. When TV anchor Ally Sheedy sets him free, she doesn't realize she activated a drooling time bomb.
Name any cliché involving dogs in the movies; - "Man's Best Friend" features it! Max runs after paperboys on bikes, chases kittens up trees, bites sadist dog abusers in the crotch, fools around with dog catchers and fanatically grabs arrogant mailmen by the throat. The difference with Max is that everything is just a tad bit ...bloodier! For the skeptical viewers who then still don't believe "Man's Best Friend" is a parody, just look at the sequence where our furry anti-hero Max spots a cute blond Lassie, and a cover of Paul Anka's "Puppy Love" spontaneously begins to play. Delicious!
Lori Tanner (Ally Sheedy) a mediocre reporter who dreams of big-time. She gets her big break as she sneaks into a laboratory that is accused of having animal cruelty. She unwittingly releases poor pitiful Max, a lab experiment hound, in her pursuit for justice and a great story.
Max returns the favor by protecting her from a mugger. They soon bond and Lori is oblivious to Max's potential for good or evil.
The fun part of the movie is that we get to see Max's potential for good or evil. The situation makes us cheer for Max and overlook his few foibles. We also suspect and look forward to our local authorities (Robert Costanzo, and John Cassini) becoming dog chow.
It was a nice touch having the comic relief of dog catchers in this presentation.
It's not the best film or the worst or the best story or the worst but it is worth watching.
Max returns the favor by protecting her from a mugger. They soon bond and Lori is oblivious to Max's potential for good or evil.
The fun part of the movie is that we get to see Max's potential for good or evil. The situation makes us cheer for Max and overlook his few foibles. We also suspect and look forward to our local authorities (Robert Costanzo, and John Cassini) becoming dog chow.
It was a nice touch having the comic relief of dog catchers in this presentation.
It's not the best film or the worst or the best story or the worst but it is worth watching.
Did you know
- TriviaThe dog used to portray the DNA-altered dog is a Tibetan Mastiff.
- GoofsWhen Ray is talking to Max, Lori's right hand is on her lap. However, in the next shot, her hand is on the side of the chair.
- Quotes
DR. JARRET: We're not talking *man's best friend* here!".
- Crazy creditsMax can be heard barking after the end credits.
- Alternate versionsTV version also has an extended scene where Lori is taking out the trash and finds the empty box of the poison that Perry tried to poison Max with, while Rudy is making his milk shake.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Moviewatch: Episode #2.7 (1994)
- How long is Man's Best Friend?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $6,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $12,974,636
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,861,079
- Nov 21, 1993
- Gross worldwide
- $12,974,636
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