Top Dog MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -1 1/2

TOP DOG features Chuck Norris as Lt. Jake Wilder and Reno, a highly trained, much decorated police dog as his partner. The two are paired to solve the murder of Reno's former police partner. However, as the plot unfolds Wilder discovers that a white supremacy group is responsible for the officer's murder. He also learns that it is their intention to bomb a racial unity conference in hopes of uniting all hate groups around the world. It is up to Wilder and Reno to stop the bombing and end the terrorism before anyone else is harmed. However, the constant confrontations between the police and the supremacy group spurs more anger, and violence erupts every time their weapons are confiscated. This is a typical high karate Chuck Norris movie. The plot is simple, but Reno is fun to watch and definitely will draw the attention of children.

Unfortunately, children do not need to see this movie. It is a constant eruption of continuous, harsh violence. In one scene, men dressed as clowns try to kill Wilder and a woman officer with high-powered machine guns. That scene, plus one where Reno is shot but not killed, would be terribly distressing for children. Worse still is the lack of regard for human life. Terrorists open fire on the public and shoot two police officers in the head. There is relatively little blood shown, but there is no doubt about what is taking place. The use of obscenities and some profanities is almost obscured in the wake of all the violence. Releasing TOP DOG during the aftermath of the Oklahoma tragedy is terrible timing. The bombing of buildings and the devastating effect of hate crimes is distressing enough in real life. It is simply offensive to see it up close on the big screen. If your children enjoy animal movies, rent ANDRE or BEETHOVEN, but don't send them to TOP DOG.

Preview Reviewer: Sherry Oswald
Distributor: MGM/UA, 1111 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90025