Megan Leavey Movie Is Full of Heart & Heroism

If your family loves dogs, then you’ve probably already know the heroic story of Marine corporal Megan Leavey and her military combat Shepherd, Rex. They were featured on many news programs as well as in magazines and newspapers. Now, there’s a movie about them, entitled Megan Leavey.

The unlikely pair helped save countless lives during their deployment in Iraq. They served two tours together: first in Fallujah in 2005, and then Ramadi the following year, where they were both wounded by an improvised explosive device. Megan was ultimately awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for heroism in combat. She tried to adopt Rex after the second blast but her petition was denied. Later, when Rex developed facial palsy that ended his bomb-sniffing days, she tried again. Finally, the two were reunited in April 2012… Sadly, Rex died that December.

Megan Leavey

2017, PG-13

So… who’s ready for a heartwarming puppy movie?!

I kid. It really is an uplifting story and it doesn’t resort to schmaltz or tear-jerking. Directed by documentarian Gabriela Cowperthwaite – she’s the filmmaker behind the pro-animal welfare flick, Blackfish – Megan Leavey, starring Kate Mara in the title role, focuses on the bond between human and animal and demonstrates how that relationship benefits both. It’s also about the costs of service, ranging from physical injuries to post-traumatic stress. The movie’s message is strong and clear: kids will learn a lot about war dog and their handlers, and should come away with a better appreciation of the meaning of teamwork, perseverance, communication, and courage.

We first meet Megan as something of a train wreck. She’s young, but doesn’t seem full of promise or on the verge of any sort of greatness. She is depressed over the death of her best friend, is living at home with her fed-up mom (Edie Falco), and she just got fired from her minimum-wage job. On a whim, she joins the military. Somehow, Megan makes it through boot camp. (The real-life Leavey has a quick cameo appearance in the film as a drill sergeant who gets up in Mara’s grill.) Megan is still at loose ends after passing the initial test, but she finds her purpose when she meets Rex. Both have similar personalities – the odds are stacked against them and with their tempers they make a pretty unlikely team. But with love and understanding, Megan and Rex complete more than 100 missions until that fateful explosion.

Younger kids may find the scenes set in the warzone too scary. Also, there is some cursing in the movie.Tweens and teens, especially those who love dogs or Mara (she’s Susan Storm in The Fantastic Four), will be riveted by this true-life adventure.

Megan Leavey is on DVD and Blu-ray September 5, 2017 and became available on Digital HD from Amazon Video and iTunes on August 22, 2017. It’s still playing in some theaters.

Will you watch Megan Leavey with the kids? What some films you look forward to watching this year? Share with us!